Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000
A planar magnetic set is an excellent alternative for music lovers who want to upgrade their headphones. However, they can also be quite costly.
There are many great alternatives available for headphones under the $1000 price range. 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 a German brand that doesn't play around when it comes to premium headphone design. The Beyerdynamic T1 has a classic look and is crafted from premium materials, making it an absolute pleasure to wear. The soft headband as well as the replaceable earpads are extremely comfortable. The earphones may initially appear rough, but they quickly adjust to the ears and head. They allow for long listening sessions without discomfort.
The T1 is a natural sound, with a controlled but a soaring bass and clear mids. The highs are bright and detailed but can be a bit overwhelming for listeners who prefer a smoother sounding treble. These headphones are ideal for listening to music that requires a lot of concentration and excel at medium-low volume. They can keep their balance even when playing violent music, such as black metal or death metal, and will not be overwhelmed by the crash of cymbals.
The T1 is a powerful speaker with a large dynamic range. It can reproduce the extreme contrasts between louder and quieter songs with crystal clear clarity and accuracy. This makes them a great option for musicians who want to be able to perceive every detail and nuance of their instrument and also for audiophiles who appreciate the ability to distinguish between the various instruments that are played during the course of a song.
The gold-plated connectors on the ear cup and the Beyerdynamic logo are a nice touch. This is a sign of quality and an assurance that you are getting a top quality product. They come with a hard-case case that will protect the headphones when not in use. Included is a detachable cable and a quarter inch adapter.
The Beyerdynamic T1 is not designed for use on the go, as it has a closed back design. They will not adequately shield you from the everyday noises like rush hour traffic and alarm clocks for children or nagging partners. The ear cups that are large are not made for physical activities like running because they could easily fall off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p comes with an open-back design similar to the T5p, but with the ear cups being slightly smaller, so they might be a better option for listening on the move.
2. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Nano
What Is a planar Headphone the latest version of HIFIMAN's popular mid-range, open-back headphones. The Nano is an enormous leap over the original Ananda with a brand new nanometer-thick diaphragm that has a stealth magnet for enhanced clarity. These features were included on the ultra-high-end Susvara headphones. These features promise low distortion and a lightning-fast transient response and a noticeable improvement in clarity and dynamics.
The result is a broad and deep soundstage, with great separation between instruments and vocals. The Nano has a warm, rich sound with a peak at the upper mids, making it perfect for hip-hop, rock, and pop.
This focus on the upper mids has certain disadvantages. It creates an unnaturally muffled sound particularly in the higher registers, where some of the detail is lost. The Nano is also not as suitable for classical music because the lower mids are typically overshadowed.
Bass is powerful and punchy with great texture in the lower reaches and excellent dynamic and
what Is a Planar headphone slam. It's a little 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 audiophiles who prefer more natural sound to their bass.
As one would expect leakage is a problem for an open-back headphones. It can be an issue in noisy environments. The headphone also doesn't have a microphone, which means you won't be able to use it for mobile phone calls.
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano has lot to offer, and
what is a planar headphone is an excellent choice for those looking for an open-back magnetic headphone that costs less than $1000. It's a step up from the previous model, and is worth a look. The Ananda Nano is available with a travel case that is an important addition for audiophiles who want to listen to their music on the go. The case has ample space to store the Ananda Nano, its cable as well as a compact DAC or player. A carrying case is included in the case. The headphones are well-made and durable, and are covered by a three-year guarantee.
3. Hifiman Editions XS
When HIFIMAN introduced the Edition X, it created quite a stir within the audiophile world. The company has brought 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, these headphones are extremely robustly constructed. They are sturdy enough to withstand heavy use and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The cups are made of an anti-resonant vibration-reducing material. The box comes with a tangle-free cord with an unidirectional plug, as well as the headphone holder which can be used to store the headphones.
The Edition XS is a very good planar magnetic headphone that has a high resolution in detail. This means you'll be able to hear things in your music that weren't there before, or you may even spot flaws in your recordings you wouldn't have noticed using a different set of headphones. They offer stunning imaging and an impressive soundstage that can fill a large space with crisp, 3D clarity.
These headphones are balanced and neutral and can be used with any type of music. They have great mids and reproduce vocals as well as lead instruments with precision, but they might lack a bit of punch and rumble in their bass. Their high frequencies are crisp and precise, however they may sound a little bright for some listeners.
The HiFiman Edition XS is a great choice for anyone who wants an open-backed planar magnetic headphones that can be used in noisy environments and doesn't need much power to drive. The low impedance (18O) makes it simple to drive with virtually any DAC or headphone amplifier, but you'll likely get the best results with an audio interface that has a built-in headphone amplifier. They're not the most portable headphones, and they aren't the most compact to carry around, however they do come with a protective bag for travel. They're also a bit more expensive than other options on this list, but their quality and features make up for the cost.
4. Audeze LCD-5
The Audeze LCD-5 is the company's most recent model of
planar magnetic loudspeakers magnetic headphones. It's a brand new design incorporating an all-new magnet and driver. This is no small upgrade over the previous models of headphone and puts the LCD-5 firmly in the high-end of the personal audio market. The LCD-5's drivers comprise ultra-thin Nano-Scale Diaphragms that are paired with Parallel Uniforce voice coils as well as Fazor Waveguides. These new features work in conjunction to control the movement of the diaphragm and provide a superior resolution.
The LCD-5's earpads have been designed to fit an increased range of head. The LCD-5s are more comfortable than the previous models due to the pads are made from a more flexible material, and the headband is lighter and tinier. They do clamp slightly more than other Audeze headphones, and they may also be a bit tight on some, but this may be able to be resolved with time.