Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones
If you're looking for headphones with a wide variety of sound profiles, dynamic drivers are the way to go. These headphones utilize a voice coil and magnetic windings which move forwards and backwards to cause the speaker diaphragm to vibrate.
This produces a spherical front of sound that more precisely represents audio. However, this can result in distortion at higher volume.
Cost
Dynamic drivers are easy to make and inexpensive. They are a coil (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm constructed of plastic, and then placed into an electric field. They vibrate in response the electric signals coming from your audio source. Due to this, they require less power to operate than planar or electrostatic headphones. This means they're more compact and more convenient to carry around on the go.
planar magnetic speakers magnetic headphones, however, have much more complex motor systems and massive diaphragms that require larger - or even multiple - magnets to move. This means they will cost more and are typically heavier and larger than their dynamic counterparts. They also require more power to run, which is the reason the majority of headphones that use planar technology require an external amplifier to get the best results.
Bass Response
One of the main differences between dynamic and
planar headphones is their bass response. Planar drivers have superior
planar Headphones linearity, better deep bass extension and less distortion when compared to dynamic headphones. They also offer an enhanced sense of image and clarity. However, they may lack the punch and slam of the dynamic headphones. This has led to the trend of hybrid IEMs that use both types of drivers. These IEMs can offer the best of both worlds, and can satisfy a wide range of listening preferences.
Dynamic drivers are utilized in headphones to transmit sound vibrations using the wire that is suspended by a membrane. The magnetic field generated by the coil causes the vibrating diaphragm, which produces the sounds that we hear. This can cause distortion at low frequencies because the diaphragm's motion is not accurate and consistent. It is important to consider your listening environment and your personal preferences before selecting the right type of headphone.
With the advent of planar magnetic headphones, distortion has been significantly reduced because the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm does not move as much. Additionally the flat shape of the diaphragm permits it to respond more quickly to changes in the input signal. This is especially true for the high-frequency frequencies. In this case, planar magnetic headphones produce more precise sound with greater detail.
Dynamic headphones have a greater history than
planar headphone magnetic headphones and are the industry standard for bass response. In the past, headphones with dynamic drivers had an unidirectional frequency response all the way down to 20Hz, while planar magnetic headphones had a greater roll-off in this range. However technology has improved and improved, many planar headphones now come with a full-range bass response that is similar to high-end dynamic driver headphones.
The NAN-7 For instance, the NAN-7 is a premium planar that has an impressive sense of bass and impact. Its bass is tense and agile and has a fantastic sub-bass slam. Its ability to deliver an impressive and authoritative feeling of bass ambiance and power is the ideal choice for orchestral music, such as the opening theme from Richard Strauss's opera, Aleksandr Solti's "Also sprach Zarathustra." The NAN-7 is also remarkable in its imaging capabilities, with an outstanding clarity and depth of sound.
Soundstage
Typically, headphones with planar designs have better soundstage. The diaphragm may be larger and
Planar Headphones move more evenly. This could result in a flat, wide soundwave that improves clarity and image. This is evident especially on higher-end headphones like the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Susvara However, it's a trend which is applicable for lower-cost options as well.
Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to dynamic drivers, which only vibrate a small portion of the diaphragm connected to the voice coil when an electrical signal is applied, have a larger surface area that can be moved. This results in less distortion even at high volume. They also have a better transient response, which means they can handle rapid changes in the input signal.
It is important to keep in mind that planar headphones can have a smaller soundstage if they are not being properly pushed. Insufficient headphone amp power could cause a muddy bass and a "shimmer" effect which can make listening to music less fun.
Dynamic headphones have a more natural sound because they are able to better reproduce the frequency response of the original audio recording. The drivers' dynamics are also more realistic and natural than the 'plucked' quality of planar headphones. However, this can be compensated with an excellent headphone amplifier and some modern planar headphones are more powerful than their predecessors, such as the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. The reason for this is because the drivers are more sophisticated and can be controlled by higher-level headphone amplifiers.
Comfort
In recent years, planar magnetic headphones are becoming more popular. This isn't surprising because they provide more accurate audio. The downside is that they're generally heavier and more expensive than dynamic headphones. This is because they have a bigger driver and need more power to move them evenly. They need balanced outputs, which are available on the majority of DAPs and dongles. They also tend to have more sound leakage than dynamic drivers.