Magnetic Planar Speakers - Holographic 3D Imaging and Stunning Clarity
They create sound waves through vibrating a thin diaphragm that is suspended between two arrays of magnets. Planar magnetic speakers are famous for their incredible clarity and 3D holographic images.
They are also ideal for a wide range of audio applications due to their low distortion, broad vertical and horizontal dispersion and affordable costs.
Superior Sound Quality
When it is about high-performance audio, planar magnetic speakers are famous for their ability to reproduce clear, detailed sound with low distortion. This is because they utilize flat diaphragms with an conductive trace pattern that reacts to a magnetic field generated by magnets on either or both sides of the speaker. The diaphragm is then able to move, producing sounds waves that are transmitted through the dipole radiation pattern. This allows the diaphragm to vibrate more evenly, and produce better sound quality than a typical dome or cone driver.
Another advantage of planar magnetic drivers is their broad dispersion, uniform in size which allows the sound to be heard equally from any position in the room. Planar dipole or ribbon speakers also have an incredibly spacious and natural soundstage with very little resonance. This creates an immersive listening experience that brings music to life in a manner that is difficult to duplicate with other types of speakers.
Because they have such a large surface area, planar magnetic speakers are also more durable than traditional cone drivers, and can operate at higher volume levels without causing excessive vibrations or distortion. They are also quieter than other types of speakers, making them a great choice for home theatre and HiFi applications.
Because of their complicated design, planar drivers may be more expensive than other kinds of loudspeakers. However, they offer superior sound quality that is worth the investment. Furthermore they have a lower impedance than other types of loudspeakers. This means they are less difficult for amplifiers to drive than standard drivers.
These advantages make planar magnet speakers an excellent option for professional and home use however, they are not as popular in IEMs because they require more advanced engineering to integrate into small forms like
planars headphones and earbuds. Recently, however, there has been an increase in the number of IEMs with planar magnetic technology. The Rinko by Seeaudio and the S12 and Z12 from LETSHOUER are two examples IEMs that have been shown to provide a great listening experience.
Lower Distortion
Low distortion is the most desired feature for many audiophiles. Voice coil inductance is the most common cause of distortion in speakers. When an alternation voltage is applied to the voice coil of a moving coil driver,
magnetic planar speakers the inductance of the voice coil creates a magnetic field which causes the diaphragm to move. The movement or
Magnetic Planar Speakers excursion is what causes the sound wave, however it also causes unwanted resonances and harmonics that diminish the quality of the audio.
Magnetic planar speakers have a lower distortion rate than traditional dynamic drivers. This is due to the fact that the "voice coil" is spread out over a large surface, instead of being squeezed into a tiny gap inside a huge chunk of metal. In the end, a well-designed planar magnetic speaker can withstand a greater amount of power than a traditional dynamic driver without audible strain.
Planar magnetic speakers can also reduce distortion by presenting an almost perfect resistive load to the amplifier within the system. This is because the voice coil is a very long thin wire that acts exactly like a resistor. This makes the amplifier simple to drive and will always sound best when driving an electric planar speaker.
Additionally, the high efficiency that magnetic planar speakers provide means that they generate very minimal heat when playing music in high volumes. This is crucial as much heat can harm the voice coil and reduce its lifespan.
However, this is not to claim that all single-ended planar magnetic speakers are without distortion. Because of their close magnet spacing, magnetic forces can interact and draw each other to a significant degree, which can result in changes to the diaphragm's tension over time. This is a problem that is exacerbated by the close proximity of adjacent rows of magnets.
Better Heat Dissipation
In the last couple of years, a number of companies that specialize in HiFi audio headphones companies have created incredible masterpieces using planar magnetic technology. Planar magnetic drivers have some remarkable advantages over the standard coiled dynamics used in most headphones and speakers.
The main benefit is that the "voice coil" is spread over more of a larger area than in a typical cone speaker, allowing it to dissipate heat efficiently without becoming too hot. This makes the voice coil perform more smoothly and with less distortion, and also allows for an extremely lightweight diaphragm which can be driven to very high levels of excursion.
This allows the planar magnetic speaker to have an extremely quick transient response, which means that sharp peaks as well as tiny details can be reproduced accurately even at very high SPLs. It also ensures that the sound is extremely clear and free of distortion, and is indistinguishable from the original source material.
The impedance curve of a planar magnetic speaker is very flat, ranging from 4.2 Ohms for the bass to 3.3 in the high-frequency. This makes it a relatively easy load that amplifiers can drive, and is comparable to the resistive loads that electronics manufacturers use during measurements designed to demonstrate the quality of their products.
Another advantage is that the ribbon/planar diaphragm is extremely light, which enables it to move very quickly and without strain. This creates a crystal clean and clear sound with a wide frequency range and superb linearity.
The ribbon/planar design is very quiet, which reduces distortion even further. It's also extremely stable across a wide range in temperatures, allowing the speaker to maintain high-quality audio that is consistent over long periods of listening and also a large listening space.
While there are numerous benefits of using a Ribbon/Planar Speaker It is essential to remember that this kind of speaker is not appropriate for all applications or listeners. For instance, a ribbon/planar speaker with a large radiating panel will need an enormous space to create a full-range sound with an adequate SPL. For this reason, most such speakers are sold only as tweeters or as the upper mid/high range part of a two-way system.
Higher Power Handling
Magnetic planar drivers can deliver incredible clarity and detail, without the distortion that plagues traditional cone drivers. They can detect subtle details and reproduce complex sounds with precision. They also have a broad frequency response, which means they can create a wider range of frequencies, with greater precision.
Planar speakers emit a directional sound, which can be a problem if you are listening to them along with other people. This is also the reason behind their remarkable quality of sound and their stunning image. The sound is like a laser beam shooting directly out of the speakers. It is also heard when you are off-axis.
The flat diaphragm, combined with the front of the acoustic wave, gives them a greater sense of depth and space than cone speakers. They typically have a low noise floor which can make them less distracting in noisy environments. Planar magnetic drivers are highly regarded by many audiophiles for their natural sound quality.
There are some limitations to the technology.