The Best Planar Headphones
The top
planar magnetic closed back headphones headphones offer top-of-the-line audio with elegant design. They do not require a special amplifier to unleash their full potential, and are extremely mobile.
Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional dynamic drivers use thin membranes imprinted with conductors strung across arrays of magnets to manipulate soundwaves at amazing speeds. This results in an extremely clear, crisp audio quality that is suitable for EQ tuning.
Sundara Headphones by HiFiMAN
The Sundara is an open-back pair of headphones that offer outstanding sound quality. The headphones are manufactured by HiFiMAN and feature magnets with
Planar Magnetic driver design to provide clear and crisp sound with a quick transient response. The headphones feature the frequency range of 6Hz to75kHz and an impedance of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for audiophiles who love to listen to classical, jazz as well as other genres.
They have a fantastic soundstage and incredible spatial imaging that immerses you in the music. The Sundara has an incredibly deep, rich bass response. It's not as powerful as some headphones, but has a punchy sound. It has a fantastic treble response, which isn't too bright or veiled.
In terms of clarity in terms of clarity, the Sundara is among the most clear headphones in this price range. Its tone is neutral with the slightest hint of planar timbre. It also has a great positioning definition and decent midrange clarity. However, it does lack some low-end rumble and impactfulness. Equalization could help solve this.
Comparatively to the HIFIMAN HE400se, the Sundara has better control over its dynamic range and is more precise in its response to treble. They also have a wider passive soundstage, making them an ideal choice for home listening.
The Sundara has a premium-looking design, with large ears and faux leather padding. They are light and comfortable to wear and they have a rigid headband that is comfortable on the head. The flat cable is easy to wrap around neck. These headphones don't block out noise from outside and are therefore not a good option for commuting. They require a lot of power to work which is why they aren't suitable for portable devices.
The HIFIMAN sundara is a neutral headphone with an unison sound. However it's not the most comfortable to wear for extended periods. It's not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X but it has a more rounded, less veiled the treble response. Its bass is more powerful than the DT 900, but it doesn't overpower or distort the treble. Its treble is soft and clear.
HIFIMAN HE400SE
HiFiMAN is a renowned brand of audio-related products for personal use that is known for introducing cutting-edge technologies to the market. The company is renowned for its planar magnetic headphones with the most advanced driver technology. Their most recent offering is the HE400SE, an update on the adored HE400s model that has garnered the attention of audiophiles. This headphone features an improved Stealth Magnet design that is designed to reduce wave diffraction turbulence and ensure a pure sound output.
The HE400SE provides the identical HiFiMAN sound quality but at an affordable price. It's comfortable, light-weight and provides a decent amount of passive sound isolation. The headband has been revamped to give a more comfortable fitting and the cups are made of light but durable materials. The ear pads are supple and feel comfortable on the ears. The HE400SE also comes with a cord that can be disengaged to allow for easy connectivity.
The HE400SE produces a wonderful bass response. The sub-bass is rumbled nicely and the low frequencies sound great. Drums and other instruments have a pleasing tone. The HE400SE offers natural vocals and superb midrange clarity. The male voices are crisp clean and clear. They are not too thin or brittle.
The HE400SE is not without its limitations. Its imaging capabilities are restricted and its soundstage is not as spacious as other headphones. The HiFiMan Ananda is a sister model that offers better separation of instruments, and also a more 3D sound.
The HE400SE is a solid entry into the world of planar magnet headphones. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy music and are on a tight budget. It's a bit more expensive than its rivals, yet it has a sound quality that other headphones in this category cannot match. Furthermore the HE400SE is less than half the price of high-end planars like the Audeze Clementine DLX or Monolith M570.
Sivga P-II
Sivga P-II is an open-back planar headphone that has a stunning aesthetic design, and provides a high-quality sound performance. It is equipped with a massive dual-sided magnetic planar diaphragm driver unit on both side, and delivers a powerful sound output that is bursting with detail retrieval. It has a punchy lower end, a realistic vocals, and a clear, smooth treble section.
It took three years to develop this top-quality product that is the result of research, tuning and innovation. It utilizes premium natural solid walnut wood as a headphone chamber, and adheres to traditional manufacturing techniques to ensure that each detail is carefully designed and made.
With high-end materials and latest technology using the highest-quality materials and the latest technology, the P-II delivers the best possible audio quality. Its soft ear pads are lined with a protein leather and feature a light clamping force, making it comfortable for long listening sessions. The wooden frame is robust and feels premium. It has a great feel to it. The cable is made of 6N single-crystal copper, which is soft, tangle-resistant, and does not make any noise.
The SIVGA P-II has a wonderfully well-balanced upper midrange tone that is not dull or bright, and is not subject to issues like muddiness, or mixings. Female vocals are very intimate and smooth, while instruments like pianos are full-bodied and sweat in tonality without displaying any notable harshness.
This headphone is a great alternative for those seeking an affordable open-back headphone that has excellent sound quality. The SIVGA comes with an impedance of 32ohm and a sensitivity level of 98dB. It can therefore be driven by Portable Players of sufficient power such as the FiiO M11 Pro, or the iBasso DX220. It also has a high dynamic range and a rich, warm and lively sound.
The SIVGA has a huge soundstage with a superb bass response. The bass is powerful and deep and has a great extension. It also has a deep and rich low midrange which is perfect for listening to classical music.
HiFiMAN Deva Pro
The Deva Pro is a new headphone from HiFiMAN that incorporates hi-end technology from the company to a more affordable price. It features a supernano diaphragm that is 80percent thinner than previous models, which allows for a faster response to transients and better audio quality. The headphones are very comfortable and are one of the major benefits of the planars. They can be worn for long periods without feeling tired.
The earpads are constructed of a soft and durable fabric that helps prevent sweat accumulation during prolonged listening sessions. The headband
planar magnetic driver can be adjusted to your specific head shape. The Deva Pro's soundstage is very spacious and detailed and has a good feeling of flow. Its mids are especially impressive, offering excellent vocal projection as well as an enveloping and smooth sound. However, the bass is slightly less tight and accurate than other planars.
Comparatively to other HiFiMAN planars The Deva Pro sounds warmer and more natural, but it doesn't have quite as much analytical detail. The mids are the most impressive part of its sound, bringing together all the vocals and instruments into a stunningly wide soundstage.