How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
As compared to dynamic drivers, the planar magnetic headphones have less distortion. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm vibrates rather than just the part that is connected to the voice coil.
They also have a more spacious soundstage, with better separation of instruments and ability to differentiate. However, they do leak a little more, which means you need to isolate yourself to keep from disturbing those near you.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm plays an essential role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that are used to move air in order to produce sound. In headphones it's a flat part of diaphragm suspended between two magnets which create an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphones the current of electricity emanating from the headphone's source is transferred to the diaphragm via an electric coil that creates an electric force that causes it to vibrate.
The sound generated is transmitted to your ear through the diaphragm's suspended, which is often made of an artificial material,
How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work such as neodymium or titanium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at various frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones can provide high SPLs without sounding like they are distorted.
Planar magnetic headphones aren't only able to reproduce high SPLs but also have the best soundstage. The reason is that the flat diaphragm creates an asymmetrical sound wavefront instead of the spherical focused wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones produce an acoustic environment that is more natural, which is more easily to locate.
Transient response is a further benefit of planar magnet headphones. This is the ability of planar magnetic headphones to reproduce peaks that last only a few seconds, like cymbal smacks and kick drum hits. The diaphragm has a large diameter and is evenly distributed across the surface, ensuring there's no distortion when peaks are reached.
Planar magnetic headphones have some disadvantages that you should consider when deciding on a set. For one, they generally cost more than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their engines, which can be quite complex, and also the history of the brand behind them.
There are numerous affordable planar magnet headphones available for less than $100. In addition to their impressive performance, these headphones are available in open-back and closed-back designs which means you can pick which one suits your listening habits best. 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 well-known for their accuracy and precision, offering amazing clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. This is mostly due to their flat, thin diaphragm which is sandwiched between two arrays magnets. When an electrical signal from your source of audio is transmitted, the conductive materials that wind the vocal coil interact with the magnet field and cause the dialym to vibrate. This creates sound waves.
The benefit of a planar driver is that every vibration occurs evenly and at the same rate regardless of where the diaphragm's situated within the magnetic field. This results in a more uniform sound quality with less distortion and a more uniform wavefront that is more comfortable for ears. Contrary to this, dynamic drivers tend to create a more spherical sound wavefront that's less consistent and can be distracting.
Because of the way they operate they require a more powerful amplifier system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also more heavy and bulkier because of their larger, more flexible membrane. In turn, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to enable them.
Planar magnetic drivers can be more expensive due to the fact that they are typically constructed of high-quality materials. In recent years, however, some HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have revived this technology. We're now seeing a number of amazing new headphones that feature planar magnetic drivers that provide an exceptional listening experience.
The choice between dynamic and planar headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget.
planar magnetic speakers magnetic headphones have an enlargement of the sound stage than dynamic models and are known for their outstanding quality and precision. However, they're often more expensive and many listeners prefer the booming bass and warm sound signature of dynamic headphones.
The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more power and slam, but this difference is not always apparent to the majority of listeners. They are also better at capturing structure and distinction. There are exceptions to the general rule. A variety of excellent planar-magnetic headphones can be bought 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 coil of conductory material that interacts with the magnetic fields inside the driver. These are used to manipulate the diaphragm's flatness and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones, on the other hand are made up of a thin sheet of conductive material, which is sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They're more difficult to manufacture and that's why they're more expensive.
They are also heavier and larger due to their design which means they require more space around the drivers. They also consume more power than their dynamic counterparts which means that they'll require an amplifier for the headphones to achieve their full potential. This isn't a major issue every time, but it's worth considering when selecting the right headphones.
While this may not be the case for all headphones, a lot of the top planar magnetic headphones will offer an airier and more spacious sound than their dynamic counterparts. This gives them an impression of being in a bigger space, which appeals to some listeners. The soundstage they offer is also a bit larger which can be beneficial when listening to music with other people.
The open-back design is a popular option for a variety of designer headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. They're not as well-known as closed-back ones however they're an excellent way to test the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example is a great opportunity to test the speed, accuracy and clarity of these headphones.
The housing
You might have heard of planar magnet headphones if you are an audiophile or if you simply like music. They sport a distinct look with a flat embedded diaphragm, which can be found in both open-back and over-ear headphone designs. These headphones aren't just distinctive in design, but they also work with a different method than dynamic drivers.
Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to traditional moving coil drivers, which use a voice coil to create sound waves, use an array magnets to move the diaphragm in order to create sound. Depending on the design, these arrays can be situated on one or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields that interact with magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms push and
how do planar magnetic headphones work pull. This results in sound waves that represent the audio signal.
Because of this, the sound of headphones with planar magnetic design is typically more resonant and offer better bass extension capabilities.