How Do
Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
If you've never tried a pair of headphones that utilize planar magnetic drivers it can be difficult to wrap your head around how they function. Planar magnetic drivers employ two flat magnets that are sandwiched between thin diaphragms with conductors. This differs from the voicecoil motor,
Magnet planar which is a cone that is pushed back and forward.
The Diaphragm
Magnet planars are flat pieces made of flexible film, in contrast to traditional dynamic headphone drivers with a dome or cone shaped diaphragm. The film is coated with conductors that react to magnets that are placed on across the membrane. When the electrical signal passing through these wires changes the magnetic field created by the magnets causes the diaphragm to react and move. This movement creates sound waves that are then heard by you.
The diaphragm of the human body is a dome-shaped muscle membrane that separates thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary muscle of respiration and is involved in the process of inspiratory action (exhaling air), such as breathing or coughing, sneezing crying, laughing vomiting, and even parturition. The diaphragm also plays a role in expulsive movements, such as urinating and defecating as well as pushing the fetus away during delivery.
A planar magnetic diaphragm is more sensitive to changes in audio signals than dynamic drivers due to its ultra-lightweight and thinness. This results in planar magnetic headphones an audio that is more precise and delicate than the sound you get from dynamic drivers.
One of the disadvantages of planar magnetic headphones is that they are likely to have a bit more leakage than their dynamic counterparts, particularly at higher volume. This is because of the motion of the magnet planar headphones diaphragm which causes some audio to be pushed toward the listener.
This isn't an issue if you listen to music in quiet settings or while watching films however it can be a nuisance for listening in public and usage. There are, however, excellent options for reducing the amount of leakage, such as the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Sundara. Wisdom Audio, for example is a pioneer in the development of PMD technology. They have been working hard to resolve issues that arise with this type of headphone. This is the reason they have patented several innovations that you can observe in their products. Their new flex-circuit-based planar wounding overcomes the limitations stamped copper windings have to offer a higher utilization.
The Conductors
Conductors connect the magnets with the diaphragm, and they are responsible for the sound you hear. They are typically made of a combination copper and aluminum. The diaphragm is then wrapped around the magnetic core. It is then supported by the headphone's frame. The magnetic core is a cylindrical shape magnetic element that can be made from any material, however it is typically made with Neodymium. The core itself is the central element of any planar magnetic audio driver. It consists of several nested layers of a circular helix with an area of 10-20mm.
Planar magnetic drivers have the benefit of having a wider soundstage compared to their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm vibrates when an audio signal is received, instead of just a small portion that is attached to the voice coil. This larger surface area results in lower distortion levels, especially at higher volume.
Another key characteristic of a magnet planar is its ability to respond quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This makes it easier to reproduce a broad range of frequencies and produces an even more realistic and detailed sound. This is a fantastic feature for audiophiles who enjoy music with many different instruments and vocals.
The stacking design of planar magnetics reduces the variation between parts which makes them ideal for mission-critical applications that require high reliability. They are more consistent and have lower distortion in the magnetic field when as compared to wirewound magnetics. This is essential to the performance of electronic devices.
The Magnets
As the name suggests, a magnet is one that has magnetic properties. It can cause a repulsive or attractive force on certain substances such as nickel, iron,
Magnet Planar cobalt, and some steels. It can also attract and repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is known as magnetism. It is produced through electromagnets, permanent, or temporary magnets. Magnets can be utilized in a wide range of applications and can be found in many different types of devices, including electronic devices such as headphones mobile phones, laptop computers and car audio systems.
Contrary to traditional balanced armature or dynamic drivers that push a rigid diaphragm that is connected to a voice coil, planar magnetic driver technology makes use of an extremely thin, light, flexible diaphragm that vibrates to create an unidirectional sound wavefront, instead of the narrow spherical wavefront found in many headphones and speakers. This results in a more spacious and cleaner soundstage, and is also recognized for its deep bass.
The main drawback of planar magnetic drivers is that they need quite a lot of power to move the large magnets inside them making them more bulky and heavier than other types of headphone drivers. Therefore, a lot of planar magnetic drivers require a separate power amplifier in order to function properly.
This amplifier must be designed to match the power output of the planar magnetic driver in order to give the best listening experience. In addition the amplifier should have a sufficient input impedance to drive the planar magnetic driver at its highest output frequency.
The planar magnetic drive is generally constructed as dipole, which radiates equally and in opposite phases in the front and behind the speaker (like ESLs) or a monopole, which emits only in the forward direction (more like traditional headphones). The most commonly used design is a bi-pole with one north and one south pole. Its shape lets it be easily fabricated as one piece of metal, and produces a very strong field at the center of the faceplate.
Planar magnetic drivers are more efficient and have a lower distortion because of their size. They are commonly used in high-end headphone systems where sound accuracy matters. They are also used in audio equipment for professionals such as microphones and loudspeakers. Due to their unique construction they are also suited for medical imaging as well as other applications that require extreme precision.
The Seal
To be effective Planar drivers must be sealed very tightly and precisely. A small leak can greatly impact sound quality and cause distortion. This is why a lot of work goes into creating the right seal for planar drivers.
In contrast to the majority of conventional headphone designs, planar magnetic headphones must not have gaps in the enclosure for acoustics. This is because gaps could cause the diaphragm's resonance to occur with different frequencies simultaneously. This is known as crosstalk and can cause the overall sound quality to suffer significantly.
The most popular type of seal used for planar magnetic headphones is the rubber ring seal. This seal can stop air leaks with great efficiency. It's also extremely durable and can last for a long time. It is important to remember that this type of seal can occasionally produce an unnatural sound. If you plan to use a
planar magnet headphone, it's important to choose a seal that is of high-quality.
The liquid crystal display (LCD), seal is another option for a magnetic driver. This is a more advanced type of seal that is designed to prevent the formation of gaps. It can also stand up to pressures of a great deal.