Top Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones offer the most extensive and precise listening experience. They're popular among audiophiles looking to improve their listening experience.

The best planar magnetic planar headphone depends on the priorities you set. It all comes down to clarity of image and distinction as well as clarity as well as bass volume.

1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic

The original LCD-2 was the first planar Magnetic iem magnetic headphones to really take off. It was so popular that it is now associated with the technology, and it's still one of the best planar magnetic iem headphones available. Its sound quality is amazing, especially for a headset that costs over $1,000. The bass is so deep that it extends beyond the human hearing range and is bursting with a lot of detail. The upper mids are warm but not obnoxious. Overall the sound is rich in detail and has very little distortion.

They are extremely comfortable to wear and are also very. The earpads and headbands have a soft, flexible feel. They are also light enough to allow for long listening sessions without becoming exhausted. 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 an issue in quiet environments but it could be an issue in noisy areas.

The LCD-2 Classics have a very sturdy construction and are built to last. The earcups of the LCD-2 Classics are constructed with a crystal-infused nylon. This is a great material for headphones. It looks durable and is much lighter than the wood rings used in other Audeze models.

The LCD-2 Classics do not feel like the same premium headphones. They have a bit of a DIY feel to them with all the screws visible and a lack of finish on the metal parts. These headphones are still fantastic but they might not be suitable for everyone.

If you're looking for a similar headphone that is less expensive and less expensive, the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent option. They feature the same great technology of the LCD-2 Classics, but they come at a less expensive price. They also have a better seal on the earcups, and include a carry case. The LCD-2 Classics are missing the impressive bass extension and clearness that they have. However the sound is impressive and should please the majority of audiophiles.

2. Meze LIRIC

Meze Audio's innovative and affordable magnetic headphones with a planar design have made it an international brand. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the latest model from the company's headphone. It builds on the success of the previous model and features improved performance as well as a new striped finish for improved modularity.

The LIRIC boasts a full-frequency response that ranges from 4Hz to 92kHz, providing impressively detailed music with exceptional clarity and a large soundstage. The QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Ressonator Mask) of the headphone effectively reduces the high-frequency peaks, which can be a strain on the ear.

The headphones are designed to block out ambient sound and allow for high-fidelity listening in motion. They also have an ovoid-shaped design that fits the natural human ear's shape for a better direct connection to the source of the sound.

The Meze LIRIC includes the company's exclusive Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver with dual shaped voice coils to improve ambience and spatial sound imaging. Dual voicing is the result of more than 30 years of research and development which makes it one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.

To improve the sound quality, planar magnetic iem the LIRIC headphones feature a pressure equalization system which precisely regulates airflow as well as the pressure in the ear cup chamber. This ensures that the listener gets the same sound quality regardless of whether the headphones are used at work, on a plane or commute to work.

In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC delivered a superbly well-balanced and smooth sound that is very enjoyable to listen for long hours. The treble is crisp and clear, and the bass is punchy with excellent clarity. The soundstage is huge with good separation between vocals and instruments. I liked that no detail was too small for the headphones to miss, from the sound of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.

If you're looking for the best $2000 closed-back planar magnetic headphones, the Meze LIRIC is a great option. It's a solid competitor to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but offers a slightly different sound and is lighter overall.

3. Meze Elite

Meze Audio, a Romanian manufacturer, has been stepping up their game in recent years with the release of a number flagship products. The Elite new model, which is their most recent product, is their most premium headphone yet, and a worthy replacement for the Empyrean as Meze's flagship.

Similar to the Empyrean, the Elite is an open-back headphone with a unique suspension wings design to increase their wearability. The wings are similar to the ones on Dan Clark, HiFIMan or Sendy headphones, in that they distribute the weight of the Elite's larger than average driver over the larger area of your head, increasing the comfort of listening for long periods. In my experience, they actually work well and the Elite can be worn for long periods of time without discomfort.

Sonically, the Elite is a reference-style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that has the ability to offer extremely low harmonic distortion, less than 0.1% across its entire frequency range. It has an excellent frequency sensitivity of 101 dB/mW and an impedance 32 ohms. This means that it can be driven by low-cost headphone amplifiers or DAPs as long as they support the standard jack.

The Elite's diaphragm is another significant improvement over the Empyrean, moving away from the custom-developed polymer to utilize a low-mass semi-crystalline film that has been developed by biaxial lengthening that is sequential. This allows the Elite to be a thin, yet robust diaphragm still offering outstanding resistance to stress cracking and fatigue.

The Elite's diaphragm with a lower mass results in a higher speed and resolution. It's now capable of competing with rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic at a less expensive price. The Elite is even more resolving and neutral than the LCD-2, while still delivering a sense the depth, transparency air, and transients.

4. Meze HE400SE

The HE400SE planar magnetic headphones are among the most sought-after on the market. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to move into open-back headphones. It's is also a great entry-level headphone for those who are already comfortable with the use of planar magnetic technology. It is equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet Design, which minimizes distortion and wave diffraction down to unnoticeable levels.

While the HE400SE doesn't have the bass extension that other HiFiMAN models have however, it does provide solid low end performance for an open-back headphone. The HE400SE's lower end is very deep and full but doesn't sound boomy or bass-heavy. The overall tonality is neutral but with some forward-looking midrange and Planar magnetic Iem an elevated treble that many listeners will find pleasing.

Vocals are incredibly clear on the HE400SE. The HE400SE is a fantastic choice for listening to acoustic and orchestral and classical music. This is the most affordable headphones to listen to this kind of music. However, if you're used to closed-back headphones that have an emphasis on bass, the transition can be uncomfortable. It takes some time to get the hang of it.

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

The HE400SE has a good extension of the treble and clarity. The treble is a bit warmth to it but it's not too harsh. It's not like other open-back headphones that have a more pronounced treble, but it isn't as sibilant and fatigued either.

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