Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000
If you are a music lover and would like to upgrade your headphones, a set of
Planar Magnetic Headphones Explained magnetic headphones can be a great investment. They can be costly.
There are plenty of alternatives available for headphones at prices below $1000. In this article, we will review the top budget planar headphones that will provide you with an unforgettable listening experience.
1. Beyerdynamic T1
Beyerdynamic is an ingenuous German brand when it comes to headphone design. The Beyerdynamic T1 has a classic design and is made of top quality materials that make it an absolute pleasure to wear. They are extremely comfortable and come with a soft headband with richly-padded, replaceable ear pads. They may feel a little rough on the skin at first but they quickly blend to the head and ear and offer long listening sessions without discomfort.
The T1 has a very natural sound with a controlled but elevated bass and clean mids. The highs are sparkly and precise, but they can be a bit overwhelming for listeners who prefer a smoother sounding treble. They are a great pair of headphones for demanding listening, and perform best at low to medium volumes. They can maintain their balance even when playing aggressive music like black metal or death metal, and will not be overpowered by the crash of the cymbal.
Another excellent feature is the T1's outstanding dynamic range. It is able to reproduce the most extreme differences between quieter and louder tracks with a perfect clarity and accuracy. They are a great choice for musicians who wish to be able to hear every nuance and detail of their instrument as well as audiophiles who like the ability to distinguish between different instruments within a song.
A nice touch is the gold-plated connectors as well as the Beyerdynamic logo on the earcup. This is a sign of quality and is a guarantee that you're getting a top-tier product. They come with a hard case that will protect the headphones when not in use. A detachable cable and an adapter for quarter-inch are included.
The Beyerdynamic T1 is not designed for portable use as it has a closed-back design. They are not able to effectively shield you from everyday noises like traffic jams or children's alarm clocks, as well as nagging partners. They are not intended for sports like running with them as the ear cups that are large can easily fall off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p also features an open-back design, but the cups
what are planar magnetic drivers smaller. They could be more suitable for listening on the go.
2. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is the latest iteration of HIFIMAN's popular mid-range open-back headphones. The Nano takes the next step in technology from the initial Ananda model, incorporating the latest nanometer-thick diaphragm and clarity-enhancing stealth
magnet planar that also appeared on the ultra high-end Susvara headphone. These features promise low distortion, lightning-fast transient response, and demonstrably improved clarity and dynamics.
The resultant soundstage is wide and deep, with great separation of vocals and instruments. The Nano also has a warm character to its sound, with a high point in the upper mids, which makes it ideal for pop, rock and hip-hop.
This emphasis on the upper mids does come with some drawbacks, though. It produces a slightly muffled sound, particularly in the higher registers, where some detail is lost. It also means that the Nano isn't suitable for classical music since the lower mids tend to be obscured by the bass.
Bass is powerful and punchy with great texture in the lower reaches and excellent dynamics and slam. It's a bit more full than the original Ananda bass and is perfect for modern music such as rock, pop and gaming. However, it has plenty of rumble for
Planar Magnetic Headphones Explained audiophiles that prefer a more natural sound to their bass.
As expected leakage is not a good thing for open-back headphones. It is an issue in noisy environments. The headphone doesn't have an audio microphone, so it is not suitable to make calls on mobile phones.
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano has a lot to offer, and it is a top choice to anyone who is seeking an open-back planar magnetic headphone for less than $1000. It's a fantastic upgrade from the previous model,
planar magnetic headphones explained and it's worth checking out. The Ananda Nano is available with an accessory case for travel, which is a must-have for audiophiles who want to listen to their music while on the move. The case is large enough to fit the Ananda Nano with its cable and an incredibly small DAC/player. In the box there is also a carrying pouch. The headphones are well-constructed and durable, and they have a 3-year warranty.
3. Hifiman Edition XS
When HIFIMAN introduced the Edition X, it created quite a stir in the world of audiophile. Now, the company has applied the same technology to the smaller, more affordable headphone that sits right between the Sundara and the 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.
As with all HIFIMAN products the headphones are sturdy and well-constructed. They are durable enough to stand up to heavy use and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The cups are also made from an anti-resonant material to reduce the vibrations. The box includes a cord that is tangle-free and has a straight plug and the headphone holder which can be used to store the headphones.
The Edition XS planar magnetic headphones provide excellent detail resolution. You'll be able to detect the details in your music that you wouldn't have heard before. Or you may even notice flaws that you might not have noticed in other headphones. They have a wide soundstage and superb imaging that fills the entire room with 3D clarity.
These headphones are neutral and balanced which means they can be used with any type of music. They have excellent mids and reproduce vocals as well as lead instruments with precision, but they might lack a bit of the rumble and punch in their bass. The high frequencies are clear and precise, however they might sound a bit bright for some listeners.
The HIFIMAN Edition XS is a great choice for those who want an open-backed planar magnetic headphone that can be used in noisy environments and doesn't require any power to operate. The low impedance (18O) allows it to be easy to drive almost any DAC, or headphone amplifier. However it is best to be able to get the best results when you use an audio interface that has an inbuilt headphone amp. The headphones aren't the most compact and can be heavy however they come with a cushioned travel bag. They're also a bit more expensive than other models on this list, but their quality and features make up for the price.
4. Audeze LCD-5
The Audeze LCD-5 planar magnetic headphones are the most current flagship model from the company. It's a brand new design that incorporates a brand-new driver and magnet structure. This is no small upgrade over previous models and puts the LCD-5 solidly in the high-end of the personal audio market. The LCD-5's drivers comprise ultra-thin Nano-Scale Diaphragms, paired with Parallel Uniforce voice coils and Fazor Waveguides. These new features work in tandem to control the diaphragm's movement and provide a high-resolution.
The earpads of the LCD-5 are designed to fit a larger range of heads. The LCD-5s are more comfortable than previous models because the pads are made from an elastic material and the headband is also lighter and slimmer. They do clamp a bit more than other Audeze headphones, and they may also be a bit tight on some, but this may resolve with use.
Audeze's LCD series has long been a benchmark in audio quality using planar magnetic headphones.
