How Do
Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
If you've not yet tried a pair headphones with magnetic drivers that planar it can be difficult to wrap your head around how they work. Planar magnetic drivers employ two flat magnets that sandwich a thin diaphragm and conductors. This is different from the voicecoil actuator which drives a stiff cone back and back and forth.
Diaphragm
Unlike a traditional dynamic headphone driver, which has a cone or dome shaped diaphragm, a magnetic planar is a flat piece of flexible film. The film is made of conductors which react to magnets on either side of the membrane. The diaphragm moves and reacts when the magnetic field generated by these magnets gets triggered by the electrical signal running through the wires. This movement creates soundwaves which you can hear.
The diaphragm of the human body is a dome-shaped muscular membrane that separates thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary respiration muscle and
magnet planar is involved in the process of inspiratory action (exhaling air) like breathing and coughing, sneezing, crying, laughing, vomiting, and parturition. The diaphragm also plays an important role in expulsive movements like urination and defecating as well as pushing the fetus out at birth.
Due to the ultra-light and thin design of a planar magnetic diaphragm it is a lot more flexible to changes in audio signal than dynamic drivers. This results in planar magnetic headphones a sound that is more delicate and precise than that you get from dynamic drivers.
One of the downsides of planar magnetic headphones is that they tend to have a bit more leakage than their dynamic counterparts, particularly at higher volumes. This is due to the movement of the diaphragm in a magnet planar headphone causes a portion of the audio to be pushed outwards and then towards the listener.
This isn't a problem if you only use headphones in quiet settings or while watching films however, it can be a nuisance for active listening and public use. There are a variety of options to minimize the amount of leakage. They include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Sundara. Wisdom Audio, for example, is a leader in developing PMD technology. They have put in a lot of effort to resolve issues with this type of headphone. This is the reason they have patented various innovations that you observe in their products. Their new flex-circuit-based planar wounding overcomes the limitations that stamped copper windings must overcome to provide a higher utilization rate.
The Conductors
The conductors connect the magnets with the diaphragm, and they are responsible for the sound you hear. These are usually made from a mixture of aluminum and copper. These are then wound around an underlying magnetic core which is enclosed by a diaphragm and supported by the frame of the headphone. The magnetic core may be constructed from any type of material, but it is typically Neodymium. The core is the main component of any planar magnetic audio driver. It consists of a series of nested layers of a circular helix with an area of 10-20mm.
Planar magnetic drivers have the advantage of a larger soundstage than their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm is vibrating when an audio signal is received, instead of just a small area that is attached to the voice coil. This greater surface area results in lower distortion levels, particularly when the volume is higher.
Another key aspect of a magnet planear is its ability to respond quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This allows for a wider range of frequencies to be reproduced, as well as a more realistic sound. This is a great attribute for audiophiles who enjoy music that includes a variety of instruments and vocals.
The stacking design of planar magnets reduces part-topart variability, making them ideal for mission-critical applications that require high reliability. They provide greater consistency and lower magnetic field distortion as compared to wirewound magnetics. This is essential to the efficiency of electronic devices.
The Magnets
A magnet is a material that has magnetic properties. It can cause a repulsive or attractive force on certain materials, such as iron, nickel,
magnet planar cobalt, and some steels. It also attracts and repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is referred to as magnetism. It is produced in permanent, temporary or electromagnets. Magnets can be utilized in a variety of applications and are utilised in a variety of electronic devices like headphones, mobile phones, laptop computers and car audio systems.
Contrary to traditional balanced armature or dynamic drivers, which push a stiff diaphragm with a voice coil, the
best planar headphones magnetic driver technology uses a thin, light, flexible diaphragm that vibrates to create an unidirectional sound wavefront instead of the spherical focused wavefront found in many headphones and speakers. This creates a more spacious and cleaner soundstage and is recognized for its deep bass.
The biggest drawback to planar magnetic drivers is that they require plenty of power to move the massive magnets within them which makes them heavier and heavier than other kinds of headphone drivers. This is why many planar magnetic drivers require a dedicated power amplifier in order to function properly.
The amplifier should be designed to match the power output of the planar magnetic driver to provide the optimal listening experience. Additionally, the amplifier must have a high enough input impedance to be able to drive the planar magnetic driver to its maximum output frequency.
The planar magnetic driver is typically designed to be dipole (radiating equally and in a different phase between the front and back of the speaker, similar to ESLs) or a Monopole (radiating only in the direction of forward similar to traditional headphones). The most popular design of a planar magnetic driver is a bipole that has rotating poles on the north and south. Its shape makes it easy to create as a single piece of metal and is extremely efficient in creating a strong field in the center of the faceplate.
Planar magnetic drivers are more efficient and have a smaller distortion factor because of their size. This is why they are often employed in headphones with high-end features in which sonic precision is essential. They can also be found in audio equipment for professionals like microphones and loudspeakers. They are also perfect for medical imaging, and other sensitive applications requiring high precision.
The Seal
For planar drivers to perform well they must be sealed in a exact and precise way. A tiny leak can drastically affect sound quality and cause distortion. It requires an enormous amount of effort to design the ideal seal for the planar driver.
Unlike many conventional headphone designs, planar magnetic headphones must not have any gaps within the enclosure for acoustics. This is because gaps will cause the diaphragm to resonate with different frequencies simultaneously. Crosstalk is a problem that can affect the sound quality.
Rubber ring seals are the most commonly used seals used in headphones that are planar. This seal is very effective at stopping air leaks. It is also extremely durable, and can last for a long period of time. However it is crucial to keep in mind that this kind of seal could sometimes create a hollow sound. It is therefore crucial to select a premium rubber seal if you are planning on using a planar magnetic headphone.
The liquid crystal display (LCD), seal is another option for a magnetic driver. It is a specialized seal that is designed to stop gaps from developing. It is also designed to withstand a large amount of pressure. It is an excellent choice for audiophiles looking for high-quality sound quality.