Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones (also called orthodynamic or isodynamic) have earned themselves a reputation in the audiophile community for offering stunning clarity and a strong bass.
They also tend to leak a lot of sound to the outside, which is why they require a closed listening space and could be disruptive to people around you. However, they can offer excellent sound quality at affordable prices.
Open or closed back?
It's not hard to understand why audiophiles are awestruck by the planar magnetic headphones. The best models offer incredible detail and powerful presence without sounding distorted. These headphones are expensive and require a headphone amp to be driven. Their open-back designs also let sound out and let in ambient noise. If you're in the market for a pair of headphones that are planar, it's important to consider your listening preferences and habits before making a purchase.
The
best planar Headphones place to begin is to determine if you'll use your headphones for casual listening or audiophile-grade audio. You'll also want to think about your personal preferences and whether you prefer a closed or open back design.
Planar magnetic headphones have always had an advantage in the bass department compared to dynamic driver headphones, as they can reproduce frequencies as low as around 20hz. Dynamic driver headphones are able to reproduce frequencies at about 50hz. However, this difference has become less pronounced over time as manufacturers have worked to improve the performance of their diaphragms as well as making the rest of the headphones lighter.
A majority of the budget-friendly planar magnetic headphones are focused on clarity, mids and highs instead of the bass that is deep. This means that you may not receive as much rumble and punch from these headphones, which may be a problem for some listeners.
One exception is the HiFiMAN Venus over-ear headphones that are closed-back and feature a single-sided diaphragm. As a result, they don't reach quite as low but they still offer a rich sub-bass and a lively texturing.
Ultimately, the type of headphones you pick will be based on your music preferences and budget. If you're going to be listening to music on your laptop at home and have an open-back pair, an open-back pair headphones is likely to be
best planar magnetic headphones, while a closed-back option is suitable for use when you're on the move. If you intend to use your headphones for gaming purposes An open-back model like the Audeze LCD-2 Classics may be better than a model with a closed-back design like the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. If you're a fan of music and want to listen to music, these headphones will offer the entire audio spectrum and incredible detail you're after.
Bass response
Planar magnetic headphones create sound using a different technique than traditional dynamic driver in ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet pushing the diaphragm, these headphones use two magnetic fields that are sandwiched between an electrified movie. This creates a wider,
Best Planar headphones more natural sound wavefront with lower distortion. This also allows for a quicker response time and a wider frequency range than traditional dynamic drivers.
The difference in bass response is noticeable. While high-end dynamic driver headphones can reach up to 20hz or more, planar headphones can go deeper with less distortion and greater clarity. This makes a huge difference for audiophiles and lets them enjoy the
best planar magnetic headphones in-ear listening experience.
Imaging is another method that planar headphones can improve sound quality. Dynamic drivers only vibrate the portion of diaphragm connected to the voice coil, which can result in small distortions that change the intended audio reproduction. However, planar drivers are able to produce an even larger soundstage since the entire diaphragm vibrates in response to an audio signal. This lets headphones accurately reproduce the stereo balance, transparency and position of instruments in the manner intended by the audio producer.
Open-back planars like the HIFIMAN Anaanda and Monoprice M1070 are not able to isolate sound. Anyone around you will be capable of hearing your music. This is a small price to pay for the incredible detail and clarity that you'll be able experience.
Planar headphones leak more than open-back dynamic ones because they have two magnetic fields that are opposite. This can be a big problem for people who want to listen to music in quiet spaces or who are concerned about causing disturbance to others around them. If you're concerned about leakage, you can mitigate the issue by using earpads that wrap around your ears to provide extra isolation.
Sensitivity
Planar headphones are different from traditional dynamic drivers with cones or a speaker dome behind which the voice coil is moving. They feature thin membranes that are imprinted with conductors. These membranes are strung on magnetic arrays, which allow them to manipulate them at lightning speeds. They can deliver a high-frequency response, which is not possible for most moving coil headphones. They also have a crisp and deep bass that goes down to the lowest frequency.
But while they excel at low frequencies, the cheapest over-ear magnetic headphones often lack in acoustic precision that makes them ideal for mixing or hi-fi listening. The flatness of the diaphragms makes it impossible to drive them in a way that is symmetrical similar to a moving-coil headphone. In order to get a great high-quality treble output from the planars usually, you'll need to spend more than $500.
Boutique audio brands typically offer models that are priced at a reasonable price and sound great. One example is the Meze Elite, a pair of closed-back headphones which utilize one-sided magnetic arrays to provide a more immersive listening experience. They feature a sensitivity of 90dB and 35ohm impedance that will work with the majority of consumer audio devices. They also come in a stunning range of exotic woods and composites which means they look as high-end as they sound.
The HiFiMAN HE-560s, for example can be up to 30 percent lighter than rivals thanks to their unique magnetic structure and a variety of other design innovations. This includes a patented design that reduces wave-diffraction. This means they can be driven better and create less distortion than double-sided models.
Of course, many of these same features make the HE-560s even more expensive than the competition. But if you're prepared to pay a little more you'll enjoy a wide range of musical emotions from the low-frequency rumble of a thunder storm to the sparkling cymbals on your most-loved track. The quality of sound produced by a high-quality set of planars is simply outstanding and can transform your music. It is important to select the right model for your needs and budget.
Comfort
If you are a fan of listening to music switching to a high-end pair of headphones will greatly enhance your audio experience. The top planar magnetic headphones offer a level of clarity and clarity that you can't get in cheaper headphones. If you opt for an over-ear model like the HiFiMan Sundara or an in-ear model that is portable such as the CCA PLA 13, these headphones will give new life to your favorite songs.
Planar magnetic headphones are also very heavy due to their large ear cups. They often require an additional headphone amplifier. Luckily, many of the boutique headphone brands have designed their headphones to deliver incredible audio quality in a light package. The OPPO pm-3, for instance is a light closed-back,
best planar headphones planar magnet headphone that comes with a selvedge jean carrying case.
Because of their large earcups, many planar magnetic headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
