How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic headphones are less dispersed than dynamic drivers. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm moves rather than just the portion connected to the voice coil.

They also have a bigger soundstage, and better separation and differentiate capabilities. However, they leak a little more, requiring isolation to keep from disturbing those around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm is a key element in nearly every audio transducer (headphones as well as loudspeakers and microphones including) that moves air to produce sound waves. In headphones, it's a flat piece of diaphragm suspended between two magnets which create an electromagnetic field when stimulated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphones the electric current that comes from the headphone's source reaches the diaphragm by way of an electric coil that creates an electric force that causes it to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension is composed of neodymium, titanium or other artificial materials. The diaphragm will then resonate with your ear using different frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide high SPLs, but without sounding distorted.

In addition to being able to reproduce high SPLs as well, planar magnetic headphones provide a more immersive soundstage. The reason is that the diaphragm's flat shape creates an asymmetrical sound wavefront rather than the narrow spherical wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones create an overall soundstage that is more natural, which is more easily to locate.

Another advantage of planar magnetic headphones is their outstanding transient response. This is the ability of headphones with planar magnetics to reproduce peaks that last only a few seconds, such as cymbal hits and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is huge and moves evenly across the surface, which means there's no distortion once peak levels are reached.

However, planar magnetic headphones have a few drawbacks that should be considered when selecting the right set. One of them is that they tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their engines, which can be quite complicated, as well as the heritage of the company behind them.

Fortunately, there are fantastic, low-cost planar magnetic headphones that can be purchased for less than $100. These headphones are available in close-back and open-back styles. You can pick the one that is most suitable for your personal preferences for listening. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their clarity and precision across the entire range of frequencies. This is due to the flat, thin diaphragm that is sandwiched between the arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal is transmitted from your audio source, the conductive material windings within the voice coil interact with the magnetic field, causing the diaphragm to vibrate creating sound waves.

The benefit of a planar-type driver is that each vibration occurs evenly and at the same rate regardless of where the diaphragm's placed within the magnetic field. This results in a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It's also more comfortable on the ear. In contrast, dynamic drivers tend to create an elongated sound wavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.

Due to the way in which they function, planar magnetic drivers require a more powerful amplification system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also more heavy and bulkier because of their larger flexible membrane. In turn, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide enough power to enable them.

Planar magnetic drivers can be more expensive since they are typically constructed of high-quality materials. In recent years, however a few HiFi audio headphone makers have revived this technology. As a result, we're seeing a number of amazing new headphones with planar magnetic drivers that offer an amazing listening experience.

As with all things in life, the choice between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones is based on your personal preferences and budget. The headphones with a magnetic design have a slightly more spacious sound stage than dynamic models and are renowned for their incredible detail and accuracy. However, they're typically more expensive, and a lot of listeners prefer the punchy bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.

In general, dynamic driver headphones have some more punch and slam than planar magnetic models However, the differences are not always apparent to the majority of listeners. They also have better ability to perceive structure and distinguishing. There are some exceptions to the rule. Some excellent planar-magnetic headsets are available at affordable prices.

The magnets

In a typical headphone that has a dynamic driver the electrical impulses generated by your source of audio travel through a conductory material which interacts with the magnetic fields inside the driver. These are used to bend the diaphragm's shape and produce sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones however make use of a thin layer of conductive material, which is sandwiched between two powerful magnets. This makes them more difficult to manufacture and is one of the reasons they're often more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.

A heavier and larger design is also a result of the necessity for more space around drivers. They also use more power than their counterparts with dynamic drivers, which means they'll require an amplifier for the headphones to maximize their performance. This isn't a major issue every time but it's something to think about when selecting the right headphones.

Although this isn't the case for all headphones. However, many of the top headphones with a planar design will provide an open and airy sound than their dynamic counterparts. They can provide an impression of being in a larger space which appeals to some listeners. The soundstage they provide is also a bit larger, planar magnetic headphones which can be helpful when listening to music with other people.

The open-back design is a common choice for many small-scale headphone brands, such as the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. Although they're not as well-known as closed-back models, they are an excellent opportunity to experience the advantages of planar magnetic technology. For instance, the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, precision and detail of these headphones at an affordable cost.

The housing

You might have heard of planar magnet headphones if are an audiophile, or if you simply like music. These headphones have a unique design, with an elongated diaphragm that is embedded within the headphone. They are available in over-ear and open-back designs. These headphones are not just distinctive in design, but they also work using a different mechanism than dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to traditional moving coil drivers, which use the voice coil to produce sound waves, employ array magnets to move the diaphragm to produce sound. Depending on the design, these arrays can be placed on one or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields which interact with magnets on either end of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms push and pull against the magnetic fields. The audio signal is represented by sound waves.

Planar magnetic headphones are able to create a deeper sound and have a better bass extension. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds much faster to changes in the input signal, which means they can respond faster to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This results in a more precise, more controlled sound that many audiophiles love.

These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies, but they lack the slam and punch that modern dynamic driver headphones can provide. As such, they can be a bit more difficult to listen to by those who want to to listen to metal or hard rock music.

The cost of planar magnetic headphones what is a planar headphone high due to their unique design. The drivers are powered by a digital audio converter and a dedicated amplifier. Some consumers may find that the price of these headphones is higher, but they believe that it's worth it. Regardless, it's important to remember that there are other headphones that are available for those who don't want pay more than they have to.