Planar Magnetic Earbuds
Whether you're a professional audiophile or just looking to improve your listening experience on the go, a pair of planar magnetic headphones can elevate your music experience to the next level. These are ideal for listening to music that requires a lot of concentration, such as in audio production, or at home, where you can relax and relax to your favorite tunes with comfort and clarity.
Price
The good news is planar magnetic headphones can deliver a lot of detail without distortion. The downside is that they can be costly. Planar magnetic drivers, also known as orthodynamics, employ a thin diaphragm between two magnets. They have a greater frequency response than traditional dynamic drivers and can sound very spacious, even though they might not have as deep bass.
In general design, planar magnetic headphones are more expensive than dynamic counterparts due to the fact that they are generally larger and require more power to drive. They tend to have open-back designs that allow in noise and bleeds sound. This makes them less portable than their counterparts with a dynamic design and more likely to require an external amplifier to achieve optimal performance.
While the top planar magnetic headphones can cost thousands of dollars, there are plenty of options for budget audiophiles willing to accept a few concessions. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example, is a pair of open-back headphones that offer the speed and precision that an earphone with a
planar magnet can offer without breaking the bank.
Audeze LCD-2 Classic is another great option. It provides a blend between bass slam, and nimble technical features that make it perfect for listening to metal music. The LCD-2 is among the few headphones on this list that include a hard-back pelican-style case. This will provide you with even more protection.
If you're looking for the best planar magnetic headphones available, expect to pay at least $350. The models of the above-mentioned HIFIMAN Sundara are detail powerhouses and an excellent entry point into the world of premium headphones.
Design
Planar magnetic headphones consist of ultra-thin membranes that are printed with conductors, and hung over a magnetic array which manipulates them at incredible speeds to create sound. They offer vanishingly low distortion and lightning-fast transient response. Audeze the manufacturer claims that they also provide the most accurate and wide response in terms of frequency.
This technology has exploded into high-end audiophile models from manufacturers like Audeze and HiFiMAN. However, these aren't the grandfather's headphone - they tend to be larger and heavier than most traditional dynamic-driver models, usually creating significant discomfort for some listeners following prolonged listening. Many of the top audio brands have developed more compact designs that are more comfortable.
Many of these newer designs offer better bass response than the older models. Planar magnetic headphones can provide bass at a level that is higher than the majority of dynamic driver headphones. This is the case even for open-back headphones like the Audeze Sundara and LCD-4z. Planar magnetic headphones on the other hand, offer a better image quality,
planar Magnet clarity, and structure and are able to isolate each instrument line in a mix. They also have a distinct "plucked" sound that some enthusiasts find desirable.
All of these benefits add up to an even more natural and spacious soundstage that makes music more vivid, and gives it a sense of space and airiness that headphones with dynamic drivers struggle with. They're ideal for jazz and classical music in particular and for contemporary instrumentalists who can rely on their headphones to handle intricate details and busy articulation without overwhelming the other elements of the track. There are two kinds of headphones: close-back and open-back. The latter is more spacious, but less effective at isolating the sound from the surrounding environment and the other is more private, but sacrifices some clarity.
Soundstage
A good planar magnetic headphone can provide an expansive soundstage, which enhances the realism of your favorite music. They can also reproduce bass notes with the full-bodied sound that listeners appreciate, resulting in an exciting and enjoyable listening experience.
Planar headphones use unique drivers to create impressive soundstages. Instead of the traditional domes and cones that many headphones employ, planar models make use of ultra-thin diaphragms that are suspended in magnetic fields. These drivers can move much more air than dynamic driver speakers. This means they have better clarity and accuracy at low frequencies. This is one reason planar headphones are so popular among audiophiles and audio engineers alike.
These large drivers allow for a larger and broader soundstage when compared to other headphones. A good pair of planars headphones will also deliver detailed and spacious mids and highs. The high-quality audio they produce is unparalleled by other types of headphones, ranging from the cheapest portable models to the most expensive HiFi options on the market.
If you're interested in upgrading to a pair of planar headphones, you need to do your research. You can find reviews on trusted audio websites like Head-Fi or the subreddit r/headphones. You can also look at impressions of real users through social media. This will help you choose the best headphones that meet your needs and preferences.
Planar magnetic headphones are available in both open-back and close-back designs. Open-back models let sound escape the earcups and out into the world, whereas closed-back headphones trap the sounds inside for privacy. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, most people prefer the open-back model because it provides a feeling of airiness and
Planar Magnet realism in their sound.
Comfort
Planar magnetic headphones are usually extremely comfortable and have earpads made of soft materials such as leather or suede. Furthermore, many of the higher-end models have the headband that is lightweight and breathable. This means that they're comfortable for a long time.
Many audiophiles prefer planar magnetic headphones because they provide the feeling of being immersed in their music. They can also add new life to your favorite songs thanks to their amazing clarity, detail, and realism. They are not ideal for listening to your music in public because of their open-back designs, which allow outside noise to pass through.
The latest generation planar drivers can overcome this limitation by using a dual voice coil array which splits the diaphragm's frequency response. This allows low frequencies to be controlled by a switchback coil which is located at the top of the driver, and the mid-high frequencies to get handled by a spiral coil which is placed directly over the ear canal.
This is why modern headphones are more comfortable and light than their predecessors. Additionally they are able to produce better bass with a cleaner sound than dynamic headphones. They are also less prone to harmonic distortions than other kinds. The diaphragm's movements are faster and more uniform compared to a dynamic speaker. This makes it less susceptible to fluctuations.
Noise isolation
The
best planar magnetic headphones offer superior noise isolation over their dynamic driver counterparts. In addition to this, these headphones have lower impedance and sensitivity which makes them more suited to drive with portable electronics and require less power to operate. These headphones also offer a wider range of frequencies than other headphones. This allows you to hear more audio detail and bass.
Planar magnetic headphones have been acknowledged for their precision and clarity in sound reproduction.