How Do Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
It might be difficult to comprehend how planar magnetic drivers function in case you've never worked with two. Contrary to the voicecoil motor that drives a stiff cone back and back the planar magnetic drivers use two flat magnets sandwiching thin diaphragms made of conductors.
Diaphragm
Magnet planars are flat pieces of flexible film, which is different from traditional dynamic headphone drivers with cone-shaped or dome-shaped diaphragm. The film is coated with conductors that react to magnets that are placed on across the membrane. The diaphragm is able to react and move when the magnetic field created by these magnets gets triggered by the electrical signal running through the wires. This movement creates sound waves which are later heard by you.
The human diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle membranous structure that divides the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the principal respiratory muscle and is responsible for inhalation actions, such as breathing coughing and sneezing, laughing and crying vomiting, and parturition. The diaphragm plays a role in expulsive movements like urination and defecating as well as pushing the fetus out during birth.
A planar magnetic diaphragm can be more sensitive to changes in audio signals than dynamic drivers due to its light weight and thinness. Planar magnetic headphones provide more delicate, precise sound than dynamic drivers.
One of the downsides of planar magnet headphones is that at higher volume, they can leak more than their dynamic counterparts. This is because the movement of the diaphragm in a
magnet planar headphone causes a portion of the audio to be pushed outwards and then towards the listener.
It is not a big issue if you are using headphones in quiet areas or to watch films. But it can be a nuisance for active listening or public usage. There
what are planar magnetic drivers, however, excellent options to limit the amount of leakage, such as the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Sundara. In addition, some brands such as Wisdom Audio are at the forefront of the development of PMD technology and have been working hard to address the issues associated with this type of headphone. This is why they have patented several innovations that you can see in their products. Their new flex-circuit-based planar wounding overcomes the limitations that stamped copper windings have to offer a higher utilization.
The Conductors
Conductors connect the magnets with the diaphragm and are responsible for the sound you hear. They are usually made of a combination 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 of any material, however it is typically made by using Neodymium. The core is the central component of any planar audio driver. It consists of nested layers with a circular helix of 10-20mm in diameter.
Planar magnetic drivers have the benefit of a larger soundstage compared to their dynamic counterparts. This is because the entire diaphragm vibrates when an audio signal is received, instead of just a small area that is connected to the voice coil. This larger surface area results in lower distortion levels especially at higher volume.
Another important characteristic of a magnet planar is its ability to react quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This makes it easier to reproduce a wide range of frequencies and produces more realistic and detailed sound. This is an excellent feature for audiophiles who enjoy music that includes a variety of instruments and vocals.
Furthermore, the stacked design of a planar magnet reduces the variability of parts and is suitable for applications that require high reliability. They are more consistent and have less distortion of the magnetic field in comparison to wirewound magnets. This is crucial for the success of electronic devices.
The Magnets
A magnet is a substance that exhibits magnetic properties. It can exert an attractive or repulsive force on certain materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some steels. It can also attract and repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is known as magnetism. It can be created through electromagnets, permanent, or temporary magnets. Magnets are employed in a variety of applications, such as electronic devices like mobile phones, headphones, and laptop computers.
In contrast to traditional balanced armature and dynamic drivers that use a rigid diaphragm that is connected to a voice coil, the planar magnetic driver technology uses an extremely thin, light, flexible diaphragm that vibrates to create an unidirectional sound wavefront, instead of the spherical focused wavefront that is common in headphones and speakers. This results in a more clear and spacious soundstage and is known for rich bass.
The main disadvantage of planar magnetic drivers is that the huge magnets they contain require a lot of power. This makes them more heavy and bulkier than other headphones drivers. A lot of planar magnetic drivers require an amplifier in order to function correctly.
The amplifier should be designed to match the power output of the planar magnetic driver in order to provide the optimal listening experience. Additionally, the amplifier must be equipped with a sufficient input impedance to be able to drive the planar magnetic driver to its maximum output frequency.
The planar magnetic driver is typically designed to be dipole (radiating equally and in opposite phase in front and behind the speaker, as ESLs do) or a monopole (radiating only in the direction of the forward similar to traditional headphones). The most common design of a planar magnetic driver is a bipole that has rotating poles on the south and north. Its shape lets it be easily fabricated as one piece of metal, and creates a solid field in the center of the faceplate.
Due to their size and efficiency they have a lower distortion than other types of headphone drives. They are used in high-end headphone systems where sonic precision is important. They are also found in professional audio equipment like speakers and microphones. Due to their unique construction they are also suited for medical imaging as well as other applications that require a high degree of precision.
The Seal
To be effective, planar drivers must be sealed extremely securely and precisely. A tiny leak can drastically affect sound quality and cause distortion. It requires a lot of effort to design the ideal seal for a planar driver.
Contrary to many headphone designs, planar magnetic headphones must not have any gaps within the enclosure of the acoustic. This is because gaps cause the diaphragm's resonance to be triggered at multiple frequencies at once. This is known as crosstalk and can cause the overall sound quality to suffer significantly.
The most common type of seal for
Magnet planar planar magnetic headphones is the rubber rings seal. This type of seal is extremely effective in stopping air leaks. It's also extremely robust and lasts for a long period of time. However it is crucial to keep in mind that this kind of seal may sometimes create an unnatural sound. If you're planning to use a planar magnetic headphone, you must choose a top-quality seal.
The liquid crystal display (LCD), seal is a different option for a magnetic driver. It is a specialized seal that is designed to stop gaps from developing. It also can withstand a lot of pressure. This makes it a great choice for audiophiles who are seeking the best sound quality.
One benefit of LCD headphones is that they can offer the most clear and precise sound. This is especially the case for headphones that are high-end, like the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Susvara.