Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones

Dynamic drivers are a great option if you want headphones that produce many different sound profiles. They use a voice coil and magnetic windings which are able to move between them to make the speaker's diaphragm vibrate.

This creates a spherical sound wavefront that represents audio more accurately. However, this could cause distortion at higher volumes.

Cost

Dynamic drivers are simple and affordable to construct. They are composed of a coil (the voice coil), wrapped around a diaphragm that is made of plastic, and then placed into an electric field. They vibrate according to the electric signals sent from your audio source. Because of this, they require less power to drive them than planar or electrostatic headphones. This makes them more portable and easier to use you're on the move. The headphones with a planar design have a more complex motor system and larger diaphragms. These require several magnets or larger magnets to move. This means that they cost more and are typically heavier and larger than their dynamic counterparts. They also require more power to operate, which is why the majority of headphones that use planar technology require an external amplifier for optimal results.

Bass Response

The main difference between planar and dynamic headphones is their bass response. Planar drivers provide superior linearity, better deep bass extension and less distortion when in comparison to dynamic headphones. They also offer an enhanced sense of image and clarity. However, they do not have the slam and punch of dynamic headphones. This has led to the trend of hybrid IEMs that use both kinds of drivers. These IEMs are able to meet different listening preferences and offer the best planar magnetic iem of both worlds.

Dynamic drivers are utilized in headphones to transmit sound vibrations through an insulated wire suspended from the membrane. The magnetic field generated by the coil causes the diaphragm of the driver to vibrate and planar Closed back headphones create the sounds that we hear. This can cause distortion at lower frequencies due to the diaphragm's motion is not constant and accurate. It is crucial to take into account your listening environment and your personal preferences before selecting the right type of headphone for you.

With the advent of planar closed back Headphones magnetic headphones, distortion has been greatly reduced since the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm is not move as much. In addition the flat design of the diaphragm permits it to respond faster to changes in the input signal. This is particularly true for the high-frequency frequencies, where planar magnetic headphones deliver a more precise sound and more detail.

Dynamic headphones have a longer time frame than planar magnetic headphones and are the industry standard for bass response. Dynamic driver headphones have a flat frequency up to 20Hz. Planar magnetic headphones have a stronger roll-off. However, as technology has improved, many planar headphones come with a full-range bass response that is similar to high-end dynamic driver headphones.

The NAN-7 is an example of a high-end planar that delivers an impressive bass and impact. Its bass is tense and agile with a superb sub-bass slam. Its ability to deliver a powerful, authoritative sense of bass presence and authority is a great choice for orchestral music such as the opening theme of Richard Strauss's opera, Aleksandr Solti’s "Alsosprach Zarathustra. The NAN-7 also impresses with its imaging capabilities.

Soundstage

Typically, planar headphones have better soundstage. The diaphragm is larger and can move more evenly which can result in an overall soundstage that is larger and flat that enhances clarity and imaging. This is evident most on headphones with high-end features, such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However, it also applies to cheaper options.

Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to dynamic drivers that only vibrate a part of the diaphragm that is connected to the voice coil when an electrical signal is applied, have a greater surface area which can be moved. This results in less distortion even at high volumes. They also have better transient response. This means that they can withstand rapid changes to the input signal.

However it is crucial to be aware that planar headphones can still have a limited soundstage if not properly fueled. Lack of headphone amp power can result in a an unnatural bass or the "shimmer" effect, which could make listening to music less enjoyable.

Another thing to take into consideration is that dynamic headphones generally have more natural sound quality than those with a planar design, as they reproduce the frequency response and timbre of the original audio recording better. The dynamics of the drivers are also more realistic and natural than the 'plucked-quality' of headphones that are planar. However, this can be compensated for with an effective headphone amplifier and some of the latest planar headphones are more powerful than their older counterparts, such as the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. The reason for this is because the drivers are more advanced and can be controlled by higher-level headphone amplifiers.

Comfort

Planar magnetic headphones have been gaining popularity in recent years, and that's not a surprise given that they provide an improved sound quality. They are typically heavier and cost more than dynamic headphones. This is due to the fact that they have a larger driver and require more power to uniformly move them. They require balanced outputs which are found on the majority of DAPs and dongles. They also tend to leak sound more than dynamic drivers.