How Do Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
It might be difficult to understand how planar magnetic drivers work if you have never used two. Planar magnetic drivers use two flat magnets that sandwich a thin diaphragm with conductors. This is different from the voicecoil actuator which drives a stiff cone back and back and forth.
The Diaphragm
Magnet planars are flat pieces of flexible film, which is different from traditional dynamic headphone drivers with a dome or cone shaped diaphragm. The film is etched with conductors that react to magnets placed either side of the membrane. When the electrical signal flowing through these wires changes the magnetic field created by the magnets causes the diaphragm to react and move. This causes soundwaves which you can hear.
The diaphragm of the human body is a dome-shaped muscle membrane that separates thoracic (chest), and abdominal cavities. It is the principal respiratory muscle and is responsible for inspiratory actions, like breathing coughing and sneezing and crying, laughing, vomiting and parturition. The diaphragm plays an important role in expulsive movements like urinating, defecating and pushing the fetus away at birth.
Due to the ultra-light and thin structure of a planar diaphragm it is a lot more sensitive to changes in the audio signal than dynamic drivers. These headphones have a sound that is more delicate and precise than what you get with dynamic drivers.
One of the drawbacks of planar magnet headphones is that, at higher volume, they can leak more than their dynamic counterparts. This is because of the motion of the magnet diaphragm in the planar headphones that causes some audio to be pushed towards the listener.
This is not an issue if you listen to music in quiet areas or while watching films however, it can be a nuisance for active listening and public usage. There are a variety of options to minimize the amount of leakage. They include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Sundara. Additionally, certain brands like Wisdom Audio are at the forefront of advancing PMD technology and have been working hard to resolve the issues associated with this style of headphone. They have invented numerous innovations, which you can see on their products. For instance, their latest flex circuit-based planar winding overcomes the limitations of stamped copper windings, giving the
best planar headphones utilization.
The Conductors
The conductors connect the diaphragm to the magnets and
magnet planar are the ones responsible for the sound you hear. They are usually made of a mix of aluminum and copper. They are then wrapped around the central magnetic core which is surrounded by the diaphragm, and is held by the frame of the headphone. The magnetic core is a cylindrical shape magnetic element that can be made from any material, however it is usually made by using Neodymium. The core is the main component of any planar audio driver. It consists of a number of nested layers that form an helix that is circular with a diameter of 10-20mm.
Planar magnetic drivers have the advantage of creating a wider soundstage than their more dynamic counterparts. This is because the entire diaphragm vibrates whenever an audio signal is received instead of a tiny area that is attached to the voice coil. This greater surface area results in lower distortion levels, especially when the volume is higher.
A
magnet planar's ability to quickly react to changes in audio signals is an additional feature. This allows for a greater range of frequencies to be reproduced, and a more realistic sound. This is an excellent feature for those who appreciate music that incorporates a variety of instruments and vocals.
Additionally, the stacked structure of a planar magnet reduces part-to-part variation and is perfect for applications that require high-reliability. In comparison to wirewound magnetics, they offer improved consistency with lower magnetic field distortion, which is crucial to the performance of any electronic device.
The Magnets
As its name implies the word magnet refers to one that has magnetic properties. It can cause a repulsive or attractive force on certain substances such as iron, nickel, cobalt and a few steels. It can also attract and repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is called magnetism. It is produced by permanent, electromagnets or temporary magnets. Magnets are used in a myriad of applications and are utilised in many different types of electronic devices such as headphones laptop computers, mobile phones and car audio systems.
Planar magnetic driver technology, unlike traditional balanced armature or dynamic drivers, which push an extremely rigid and stiff diaphragm with a voice coil to create the sound wavefront, utilizes an extremely thin and flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is vibrating and creates a flat wavefront, instead of a narrow spherical one, which is the norm in the majority of headphones and speakers. This creates a much cleaner and spacious soundstage and is well-known for its deep bass.
The main disadvantage of planar headphone drivers is that the massive magnets they hold require plenty of power. This makes them heavier and bulkier than other types of headphones drivers. A lot of planar magnetic drivers require an amplifier in order to function properly.
The amplifier must be constructed to match the power output of a planar magnetic driver order to provide an optimal listening experience. The amplifier must also have an extremely high input impedance to allow it to operate the planar magnet driver to its maximum output.
The planar magnetic drive is typically designed as either a dipole, which radiates equally and in opposite phases in the front and behind the speaker (like ESLs) or a monopole that emits only in the forward-facing direction (more similar to traditional headphones). The most commonly used design of a planar magnetic driver is a bipole that has alternating poles on the north and south. Its shape lets it be easily made into one piece of metal, and produces a very robust field at the center of the faceplate.
Planar magnetic drivers are more efficient and have a smaller distortion because of their dimensions. They are used in high-end headphone systems where sonic precision is important. They can also be found in audio equipment that is designed for professional use, like microphones and loudspeakers. They are also suitable for medical imaging, and other sensitive applications that require high-precision.
The Seal
To be effective Planar drivers must be sealed extremely well and precisely. A small leak can dramatically reduce sound performance and even cause distortion. So, a lot of work goes into creating the proper seal for drivers with
headset planar designs.
In contrast to the majority of conventional headphone designs, planar magnetic headphones must not have gaps in the enclosure of the acoustic. This is because gaps cause the diaphragm's resonance to be influenced by multiple frequencies simultaneously. This is known as crosstalk, and it can cause the audio quality to suffer greatly.
Rubber ring seals are the most commonly used type of seal used for planar magnetic headphones. This seal is very effective at stopping air leaks. It is also extremely robust and can last for many years. However, it is important to remember that this type of seal can sometimes create hollow sounds. This is why it is crucial to select a high-quality rubber seal if you're planning on using a planar magnetic headphone.
The liquid crystal display (LCD) seal is another option for a magnetic driver. This is a high-tech seal that prevents gaps from forming. It is also designed to withstand a large amount of pressure. This makes it an excellent option for audiophiles looking for the highest audio quality.
LCD headphones can give a clear and crisp sound.