Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000
If you are a music lover and want to upgrade your headphones, a planar magnetic set could be a great investment. They can be expensive.
There are plenty of options available below the $1000 price point. In this article, we will examine the top budget-friendly planar headphones to give you an unforgettable listening experience.
1. Beyerdynamic T1
Beyerdynamic is a German brand that doesn't play around when it comes to premium headphones. The Beyerdynamic T1 has a classic look and is crafted from high-quality materials, making it an absolute pleasure to wear. The soft headband as well as the replaceable earpads make them very comfortable. They may feel rough on the skin initially but they quickly meld into the head and ears and provide long listening sessions with no discomfort.
The T1 has a very natural sound, with a well-controlled but high-pitched bass and clean mids. The highs are bright and detailed but can be somewhat overwhelming for those who prefer a more smooth sounding treble. They are an excellent pair of headphones for serious listening and are particularly effective when played at medium to low volumes. They can maintain their balance even when playing abrasive music such as black metal or death metal, and will not be overwhelmed by the cymbal crashes.
Another great feature is the T1's exceptional dynamic range. It can reproduce the extreme variations in the volume of more quiet and less loud parts with clarity and precision. They are an excellent option for musicians who want to listen to every nuance and detail of their instrument as well as audiophiles who like the ability to distinguish between different instruments within the same song.
The gold-plated connectors on the earcup and the Beyerdynamic logo are a nice addition. This is a proof and a guarantee of high-quality. They are supplied with a hard case that will protect the headphone when not in use. Included is a detachable cord and a quarter inch adapter.
The Beyerdynamic T1 has a closed back design and isn't portable. They won't keep you safe from everyday noises like traffic jams and children's clocks, or even nagging spouses. The earcups are not made for physical sports like running, as they could easily fall off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p has the same open-back design, but with Ear cups that are a bit smaller, so they could be a better option for listening on the go.
2. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Nano is the newest version of HIFIMAN’s popular open-back, mid-range
planars headphones. The Nano takes a quantum leap forward from the initial Ananda model, with an innovative nanometer thickness diaphragm, as well as a more clear stealth magnet that also appeared on the ultra premium Susvara headphone. These features promise extremely low distortion, lightning fast transient response, and clearly enhanced dynamics and details.
The resulting soundstage is wide and deep,
dj allowing for excellent separation of instruments and vocals. The Nano also has a warm tone to its sound, with a thump in the upper mids, which is ideal for pop, rock and hip-hop.
This emphasis on the upper mids can have some drawbacks. It results in an unnaturally muffled sound especially in the higher registers, where some details is lost. This also means that the Nano isn't the best choice for classical music since the lower mids tend to get obscured by the bass.
The bass is powerful and punchy and has good timbre in the lower reaches and excellent dynamic and slam. It's a bit more full than the original Ananda bass which is ideal for modern music like rock, pop and gaming. But it offers plenty of rumble for audiophiles who prefer a more natural sound to their bass.
Leakage is quite a problem, as expected for an open-back headphone. it can be a problem in loud environments. The headphone does not have an audio microphone, so it is not suitable for mobile phone calls.
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano has lot to offer, and it is a top choice to anyone who is looking for an open-back planar magnetic headphone for less than $1000. It's an upgrade over the previous model, and is worth a look. The Ananda Nano is available with a travel case, which is a must-have for audiophiles who want to listen to music wherever they go. The case is spacious enough to hold the Ananda Nano, its cable and a smaller DAC or player. A carry-on pouch is included in the box. The headphones are sturdy and well-made and come with a three-year warranty.
3. Hifiman Editions XS
HIFIMAN's Edition X created a lot of buzz in the audiophile world when it was launched. The company has now incorporated the same technology into a smaller, more affordable headphone, which is a good compromise between the Sundara & Ananda. The Edition XS uses the same aerodynamically-shaped stealth magnets and a thin "Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm" to guarantee fast response time with minimal distortion.
Like all HIFIMAN products the headphones are robustly constructed. They are durable enough to withstand heavy usage and are extremely comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The cups are made of an anti-resonant vibration-reducing material. A tangle-free, tangle-free cable that has a straight plug is included in the package, as well as a headphone stand that can double as a case for storage for the headphones.
The Edition XS planar magnetic headphones provide excellent detail resolution. This means you'll hear things in your music that weren't there before, or you may even spot imperfections in your recordings that you might have missed using a different set of headphones. They offer a wide soundstage and excellent imaging that fills the entire room with 3D clarity.
They have an even and neutral sound profile, so they will suit any genre of music. They are excellent in reproducing vocals and the lead instrument accurately. However, they could be lacking some rumble and punch when it comes to bass. They have crisp high frequencies that are precise, but they may sound too bright to some listeners.
The HIFIMAN EditionXS could be a great choice to anyone who is looking for an open-backed planar magnetic headphone that can be used in noisy environments, but doesn't need much power. The low impedance (18O) is what makes it easy to drive virtually all DAC, or headphone amplifier. However it is best to have the best results if you have an audio interface that has an integrated headphone amplifier. The headphones are not the most portable and can be bulky, but they come with a padded travel pouch. They're a little more expensive than the other options,
poznan-adwokat.pl but they're worth it because of their features and the quality.
4. Audeze LCD-5
The Audeze LCD-5 planar magnetic headphones are the most current flagship model of the company. It's a completely new design that incorporates a brand-new driver and magnet structure. This is no small upgrade over their previous headphone models and puts the LCD-5 at the top of the line of the market for personal audio. The LCD-5's drivers are ultra-thin Nano-Scale diaphragms, paired with the latest technology for voice coils called Parallel Uniforce and Fazor waveguides. These new features work in conjunction to control the diaphragm's motion and provide a high-resolution.
Additionally the earpads of the LCD-5 are made to fit a greater range of head sizes. The LCD-5s are more comfortable than previous models due to the pads are made from a more flexible material, and the headband is also lighter and tinier. They do clamp a bit more than other Audeze headphones, and they may also be a bit tight for some, but this will be able to be resolved with time.