How Do Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
It might be difficult for you to understand the workings of
headset planar magnetic drivers in case you've never worked with two. Contrary to the voicecoil motor that drives a stiff cone back and forward, planar magnetic drivers employ two flat magnets sandwiching thin diaphragms printed with conductors.
Diaphragm
In contrast to a traditional dynamic headphone driver that has a cone or dome shaped diaphragm, a
magnet planar is a flat piece of flexible film. The film has conductors traced on it that react with magnets placed on either side of the diaphragm. The diaphragm reacts and moves when the magnetic field created by these magnets is triggered by the electrical signal running through the wires. This movement creates soundwaves that you can then hear.
The diaphragm of the human body is a dome-shaped membranous muscular structure that divides the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary respiratory muscle and is responsible for inhalation actions, such as breathing as well as coughing and sneezing as well as crying and laughing, vomiting and parturition. The diaphragm plays an important role in expulsive movements like urination and defecating as well as pushing the fetus out during the delivery.
Due to the ultra-light and thin nature of a planar magnetic diaphragm it is more sensitive to changes in the audio signal than dynamic drivers. This gives planar magnetic headphones an audio that is more delicate and precise than that you get from a dynamic driver.
One of the downsides of planar magnetic headphones is that at higher volumes, they tend to leak more than their dynamic counterparts. This is because of the movement of the magnetic diaphragm in the planar headphones, which causes some audio to be pushed towards the listener.
It is not a big issue if you are using headphones only in quiet environments, or to watch movies. However, it can be irritating when you are listening to music or in public use. There are a variety of alternatives that can help minimize the amount of leakage. These include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Sundara. Wisdom Audio, for example, is at the forefront in the development of PMD technology. They have put in a lot of effort to solve the issues associated that arise with this type of headphone. This is why they have patents on 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 provide a higher utilization factor.
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 of copper and aluminum. The diaphragm is then wrapped around the central magnetic core. This is supported by the headphone's frame. The magnetic core can be made from any material but is most commonly Neodymium. The core itself is the central element of any planar magnetic audio driver. It is made up of a number of nested layers that form the form of a circular helix having a diameter of 10-20mm.
Planar magnetic drivers have the benefit of a larger soundstage than their more dynamic counterparts. This is because when audio signals arrive, the entire diaphragm vibrates instead of the tiny area attached to the voice coil. This greater surface area results in lower distortion levels especially when the volume is higher.
Another key characteristic of a magnet planar is its ability to react quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This allows for a wider range of frequencies to be reproduced, and a more realistic sound. This is a fantastic feature for audiophiles who enjoy music with many different instruments and vocals.
Additionally, the stacked structure of a planar magnet reduces the variability of parts and is suitable for mission critical applications that require high-reliability. As compared to wirewound magnetics improved consistency with lower magnetic field distortion, which is essential to the performance of any electronic device.
The Magnets
Like its name suggests the word magnet refers to an element that has magnetic properties. It can create an attractive or a repulsive force on certain substances such as nickel, iron cobalt and a few steels. It also attracts and repel electrical conductors. This phenomenon is referred to as magnetism. It is produced by permanent, electromagnets or temporary magnets. Magnets are used in many applications, such as electronic devices like headphones, mobile phones and laptop computers.
Planar magnetic driver technology, in contrast to traditional balanced armature or
Magnet Planar dynamic drivers that push a rigid, stiff diaphragm with a voice coil to create the sound wavefront, uses a thin and flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is vibrating and creates a flat wavefront rather than a focused spherical one, which is the norm in the majority of headphones and speakers. This creates a cleaner and larger soundstage. It is also recognized for its rich bass.
The main drawback of planar magnetic drivers is that they require plenty of power to move the massive magnets within them making them more bulky and heavier than other kinds of headphone drivers. Therefore, a lot of planar magnetic drivers require a separate power amplifier in order to function properly.
The amplifier must be constructed in a way that it is compatible with the power output of the planar magnetic driver in order to offer the best listening experience. The amplifier must also have an impedance that is high at the input to allow it to be able to drive the planar magnetic driver at its maximum output.
The planar magnetic drive is usually constructed as a dipole, which radiates equally and in opposing 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 common model is a bipole, with one north and one south pole. 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 effectiveness, planar magnetic drivers have a lower distortion than other types of headphone drives. They are commonly used in high-end headphones in which sonic precision is essential. They are also found in audio equipment for professionals, such as speakers and microphones. They are also ideal for medical imaging and other sensitive applications that require high precision.
The Seal
For planar drivers to function effectively, they must be sealed in a precise and tight manner. A small leak can dramatically affect sound quality and cause distortion. It requires much effort to create the right seal for planar driver.
Planar magnetic headphones, unlike many other types of headphones, should not have any gaps in the enclosure for acoustics. This is because gaps can cause the diaphragm's resonance to be triggered with different frequencies simultaneously. The problem of crosstalk can affect the sound quality.
The most commonly used seal for planar headphones is the rubber ring seal. This type of seal prevents air leaks extremely effectively. It is also extremely robust and lasts for a long time. It is important to remember that this type of seal can occasionally produce hollow sounds. It is therefore crucial to select a premium rubber seal if you are planning to use the planar magnetic headphone.
Another alternative to an in-plane magnetic driver is the liquid crystal display (LCD) seal. It is a more sophisticated kind of seal that has been designed to stop the formation of gaps. It is also constructed to withstand a substantial amount of pressure. This makes it an excellent choice for audiophiles who are looking for a premium sound quality.