Top Planar
magnetic planar Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones offer an extensive and rich listening experience. Audiophiles looking to upgrade their listening experience are raving about them.
The best planar magnetic headphones depends on what you prioritize the most in a headphone. It all boils down to image clarity and distinction as well as clarity as well as bass impact.
1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic
The original LCD-2 was the first planar magnetic headphones to really take off. It's so well-known that it has become synonymous with technology. It's still one of the top headphones of its kind. The sound quality is amazing - especially for a headphone that costs well over $1,000. The bass extends all the way down past human hearing, and it offers a remarkable level of detail. The upper mids are warm but not obnoxious. Overall, there is a lot of detail in the sound, and very little distortion.
They are very comfortable to wear, too. The headband is soft and flexible, and the earpads are extremely soft. The headphones are light enough for long listening sessions, without feeling tired. They don't have a seal over the ears like some open-back headphones do, and this means that you will hear the surroundings. This isn't an issue in quiet areas but it could be a problem in noisy environments.
In terms of quality of construction, the LCD-2 Classics are very solid and constructed to last. The earcups are constructed of crystal-infused nylon which is a fantastic material for headphones. It's tough and durable, and is lighter than the wood rings that are found on some other Audeze models.
The LCD-2 Classics do not feel like the same premium headphones. The LCD-2 Classics have a DIY feel, with visible screws and lack of finish. These headphones are still fantastic however they may not be the best choice for all.
If you're looking for a similar pair of headphones that is less expensive, the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent option. They feature the same great planar technology as the LCD-2 Classics, but they are priced at a lower price. The earcups are sealed better and they come with a carry case. The only thing that's missing is the amazing bass extension and clarity that the LCD-2 Classics have, but they still provide an incredible sound that will please most audiophiles.
2. Meze LIRIC
Meze Audio's unique and affordable planar magnetic headphones have helped make it a household name. The latest model from the company model, the LIRIC 2nd Generation, builds on the first-generation model's success with improvements in performance and a brand new striped ebony finish to improve modularity and a long-lasting life.
The LIRIC boasts a full-frequency response that spans from 4Hz up to 92kHz, providing amazingly detailed music that has exceptional clarity and a wide soundstage. The QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Ressonator Mask) of the headphone is effective in reducing high-frequency peaks,
Planar magnetic technology which can be tiring to the ear.
Designed for high-fidelity listening while on the go, the headphones have a closed-back design that blocks out any background noise. They also have an oval-shaped design that fits the natural shape of the human ear to provide a clearer channel to the source of sound.
The Meze LIRIC comes with the company's exclusive Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver with dual-shaped voice coils that improve ambience and spatial sound imaging. This dual voicing technology is the result of more than 30 years of research and development which makes it one of the tiniest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers available on the market.
The LIRIC headphones come with a pressure equalization technology that controls the airflow and pressure in the earcup chambers to improve sound quality. This lets the listener hear the same sound quality, whether they are wearing the headphones at work or on the plane.
In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC produced a stunningly balanced and smooth sound that's highly enjoyable to listen to for long sessions. The treble is clear and clear and the bass is a roar with excellent quality. The soundstage is expansive and there is good separation between the instruments and vocals. I loved that there was no detail that was too small for the headphones to miss, from the roar of PJ Harvey’s 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.
If you're looking for the top closed-back, magnetic headphones that cost $2000 The Meze LIRIC is a fantastic option. It's a great competitor to the Dan Clark Audio E3, however it has a slightly different tone and is lighter overall.
3. Meze Elite
In their quest to make a pair of headphones that are both visually stunning and sounding great, Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio have stepped up the game in recent years with various flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most expensive headphones to date. It replaces the Empyrean, which was previously their most popular.
The Elite is also an open-back model, however, it has unique wings that enhance wearability. These wings are similar to the design used on Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones, in that they distribute the weight of the Elite's more powerful than average driver over a greater area of your head, enhancing comfort while listening for long periods. From my experience, they actually work well and the Elite can be worn for long periods of time without discomfort.
Sonically it is a great headphone. Elite is a reference headphone that comes with an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that has the ability to provide extremely low harmonic distortion, less than 0.1 percent across its entire frequency range. It has an extremely sensitive frequency sensitivity of 101 dB/mW and an impedance of 32 ohms. This means that it can be driven by budget headphone amps or DAPs if they support the standard jack.
The Elite diaphragm represents another important improvement over the Empyrean. Instead of using a custom-developed polymer semicrystalline film with a low mass has been developed using biaxial lengthening that is sequential. This process allows the Elite to be a thin, yet robust diaphragm still providing outstanding resistance to stress cracking and fatigue.
The Elite's lower-mass diaphragm results in higher resolution and speed. It's now capable of competing with other models like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic at a less expensive price. The Elite is even more precise and neutral than the LCD-2 but still offers an impression of depth,
planar Magnetic technology transparency, air and transients.
4. Meze HE400SE
The HE400SE is among the most popular headphones with
planar magnetic technology around. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make the jump into open-back headphones. It's is also a great entry-level model for those who are already comfortable with the use of planar
magnetic planar speakers technology. It comes with HiFiMAN's latest Stealth Magnet Design, which reduces distortion and wave diffraction to nearly inaudible levels.
The HE400SE is a good open-back model, but it doesn't have the same bass extension that some other HiFiMAN headphones. The HE400SE has a very rich and deep bass, but it doesn't sound like a boomer. The overall tone is neutral but with some higher treble and a forward midrange that many listeners will find appealing.
The HE400SE has a very clear sound. The HE400SE is an excellent choice for listening to classical or acoustic music. It's the most affordable headphone for this type of music. If you're used closed-back headphones that have a bass-heavy tuning, the transition may be uncomfortable. It will take several listening sessions to get the hang of it.
The HE400SE's image is impressive. The HE400SE can create a huge and clear soundstage that allows musicians to feel comfortable in the space. On Prince's Let's Go Crazy, the vocals and drums are in front of your face.