Top Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones provide the most extensive and precise listening experience. They're a favorite among audiophiles seeking to improve their listening experience.

The best planar magnetic headphone is dependent on the priorities you set. It comes down to clarity, image structure and distinction in comparison to bass sound and slam.

1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic

The original LCD-2 was the first of the planar magnetic headphones to truly take off. It's so popular, it has become synonymous with the technology. It's still one of the top headphones of its kind. Its sound is phenomenal and especially for a headset that is priced at over $1,000. The bass is deep enough to extend past the human hearing range, and it has a staggering amount of detail. The upper mids are warm, but not too loud. Overall, the sound is rich in detail and has very little distortion.

The earpads are also very comfortable. The headband and earpads have a soft, flexible feel. The headphones are light enough to wear for long listening sessions, without feeling fatigued. They don't completely seal the ear like other open-back models, so you can hear what's going on around you. This isn't a problem for quiet environments however it could be a problem in noisy areas.

As far as quality of construction, the LCD-2 Classics are very solid and constructed to last. The earcups of the LCD-2 Classics are constructed of crystal-infused nylon. This is a fantastic material for a headphones. It's sturdy and long-lasting, and is much lighter than the wood rings that are used on some other Audeze models.

The LCD-2 Classics do not feel like the same premium headphones. They have a bit of an "artisanal" feel with all the screws visible, and the lack of a finish on the metal parts. They're still a great pair of headphones, however they may not be the best choice for all people.

Monoprice Monolith M1060 offers a similar product at less cost. They feature the same planar technology as the LCD-2 Classics but at a cheaper price. They also have a better seal on the earcups and include a carry case. The LCD-2 Classics are missing the amazing bass extension and clarity that they have. However, the sound is still impressive and should please the majority of audiophiles.

2. Meze LIRIC

Meze Audio has made a name for itself with its affordable and innovative range of planar magnetic speakers magnetic headphones. The company's newest headphone, the LIRIC 2nd Generation, builds on the success of the first-generation model with improved performance and a new striped ebony finish for improved modularity and a long, sustainable life.

The LIRIC features a full-frequency range that goes from 4Hz to 92kHz. It delivers stunningly detailed music with outstanding clarity and a broad soundstage. Additionally, the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively reduces high-frequency spikes that can be exhausting to the ears.

The headphones are designed to block out noise from the surrounding environment and allow for high-fidelity listening in motion. The headphones have an ovoid shape that resembles the shape of the human ears for direct connection to the sound source.

The Meze LIRIC comes with the company's proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid array driver which has dual-shaped voice coils for improved ambience and sound imaging in spatial space. Dual voicing technology is the result of more than 30 years of research and development and makes it one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers available on the market.

To improve their sound quality, LIRIC headphones feature a pressure equalization mechanism which precisely regulates airflow as well as the pressure in the ear cup chamber. This lets the listener hear the same sound quality regardless of whether they're wearing the headphones at work or on the plane.

In my tests in my tests, the Meze LIRIC delivered a superbly smooth and balanced sound that's very enjoyable to listen for long sessions. The treble is crisp and clear, and the bass is powerful with great quality. The soundstage is incredibly expansive with a good separation between instruments and vocals. I liked that no detail was too small for the headphones to miss, from the attack of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.

If you're looking for the top $2000 closed-back planar magnetic headphones The Meze LIRIC is an excellent choice. It's a great alternative to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but has a slightly different timbre and is lighter overall.

3. Meze Elite

In their quest to make a pair of headphones that are visually stunning and sonically excellent, Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio have been stepping up their game in recent years with a number of flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most premium headphone to date, and replaces the Empyrean that was previously their flagship.

Similar to the Empyrean, the Elite is an open-back headphone with a unique suspension wings design that improve their wearability. These wings are similar to the ones found on Dan Clark, HiFIMan or Sendy headphones, in that they distribute the weight of the Elite’s larger than average driver over a larger surface area of your head, enhancing comfort while listening for long periods. They do work well and I've worn the Elite for a long time without any discomfort.

Sonically the Elite is a reference-style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that has the ability to deliver exceptionally low harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 percent across its entire frequency range. It also has a high sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW as well as an impedance of 32 ohms which means it can be driven very easily by even low-cost headphone amplifiers or DAPs (assuming they can accept the standard headphone jack).

The Elite's diaphragm is another significant upgrade from the Empyrean and is moving away from the custom-developed polymer to use a low-mass semi-crystalline film that has been developed by biaxial lengthening that is sequential. This process allows the Elite to have a slim yet strong diaphragm, while still ensuring outstanding resistance to stress cracking and fatigue.

This shift to a lower-mass diaphragm can also result in increased speed and resolution and brings the Elite to an level of performance that puts it against rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a slightly more affordable price point. In actual fact the Elite is possibly more detailed than the LCD-2 and it can be very neutral, while offering an impression of transparency, depth, high-end air and transients. This makes it an excellent choice for those who enjoy rock music as well as other genres where bass can be extremely prominent.

4. Meze HE400SE

The HE400SE planar magnetic headphones are among the most sought-after on the market. It's a great choice for audiophiles wanting to transition to open-back headphones, and for those who are already familiar with the concept of planar magnets. It comes with HiFiMAN's latest Stealth Magnet Design, which minimizes distortion and wave diffraction down to non-existent levels.

The HE400SE is a great open-back model, but it does not have the same bass extension as other HiFiMAN headphones. The HE400SE has a very rich and deep bass however it doesn't sound loud. The general tone is neutral but with elevated trebles and forward midrange that many listeners will find pleasing.

The HE400SE is a great sounding model with a clear sound. The HE400SE is an excellent option for listening to acoustic music, but also classical and orchestral music. It's the most affordable headphones for this kind of music. If you're used to closed-back headphones which have more bass-focused tuning, the transition may be a bit uncomfortable. It will take some time to get used to it.

The HE400SE's sound quality is impressive. The HE400SE produces a large and detailed soundstage that lets musicians feel as if they are in the right place. In the song Let's Go Crazy by Prince the drums and vocals feel up front and in your face. The guitar solo is also very prominent and can easily be heard over the other instruments.

The HE400SE has a good extension of the treble and clarity. The treble has a slight warmth to it, but is not harsh. It doesn't sound as bright as other open back headphones with a more pronounced treble, Closed-Back planar magnetic headphones but it isn't as sibilant and fatigued.

The HE400SE has an impedance of 25 O, meaning it requires a powerful amplifier to reach its maximum SPL. It is compatible with the majority of smartphones and portable music players, however it will require an amplifier that has a minimum of 0.5 W output to achieve its maximum SPL.