Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones
Dynamic drivers are an excellent choice for those looking for headphones that can produce a variety of sound profiles. They use a voice coil and magnetic windings which rotate forward and backwards to make the diaphragm of the speaker to vibrate.
This creates a spherical wavefront of sound that more precisely depicts audio. This can lead to distortion at higher volumes.
Cost
Dynamic drivers are simple and inexpensive to build. They're basically made of wire (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm made of plastic that's put into a magnetic enclosure, and they vibrate according to the electrical signals generated by your audio source. They require less power than planar or electrostatic headphones. This makes them more portable and easier to use on the move.
Planar magnetic headphones, however, have much more complex motors and diaphragms with large diameters that require larger - or even multiple - magnets to move. This means they will cost more and are often heavier and bulkier than their dynamic counterparts. They also consume more power to run, which is the reason most headphones with planar technology require an external amplifier to get the best results.
Bass Response
The main difference between
magnet planar and dynamic headphones is bass response. Planar drivers have superior linearity with better deep bass extension and less distortion than dynamic headphones. They also offer a more precise image and better clarity. They might not have the same punch and slam as the dynamic headphones. This has led to the trend of hybrid IEMs that utilize two kinds of drivers. These IEMs are able to satisfy different listening preferences and offer the best of both worlds.
The dynamic drivers that are used in headphones transmit sound vibrations through a ring of wire which is suspended from diaphragm. The magnetic field from the coil causes the diaphragm to vibrate and create the sounds that we hear. This can cause distortion at low frequencies due to the diaphragm's motion is not accurate and consistent. This is why it is crucial to consider your personal preferences in listening and the environment you are in before deciding which kind of headphone is suitable for you.
With the emergence of headphones with planar magnetic design, distortion has been reduced considerably since the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm does not move as much. The diaphragm's flat shape allows them to respond quicker to changes in input signals. This is especially true for high-frequency frequencies where the planar magnetic headsets provide sound that is more precise and precise.
Dynamic headphones are older than planar magnetic ones and have been the industry standard in terms of bass response. In the past, dynamic driver headphones had flat frequency responses all the way down to 20Hz, while planar magnetic headphones had a greater roll-off in this range. Technology has advanced however, many of the planar headphones now offer a full range of bass response that is comparable to premium open dynamic driver headphones.
The NAN-7 is an example of a top-end planar that delivers an impressive bass and impact. Its bass is agile and tight, with excellent sub-bass slam. Its ability to deliver an imposing and powerful sense of bass ambiance and
Planar magnetic headphones authority is the ideal option for orchestral music such as the opening fanfare from Richard Strauss's opera, Aleksandr Solti's "Also sprach Zarathustra." The NAN-7 is also impressive in its imaging capabilities, and has an incredible sense of depth and clarity.
Soundstage
Typically, planar headphones have better soundstage. The diaphragm has more volume and is able to move more evenly, which can result in a wider, flat soundwave that enhances clarity and
planar magnetic headphones imaging. This is particularly evident on higher-end headphones like the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Susvara, but it's a trend that's held for cheaper choices as well.
In contrast to dynamic drivers, which only vibrate the portion of the diaphragm connected to the voice coil Planar magnetic headphones have a greater surface area that can be moved by the electrical signal, which means they have lower distortion at high volumes. They also have a better transient response. This means they can withstand rapid changes in the input signal.
It is essential to remember that planar headphones may still have a smaller soundstage if they're not being properly pushed. A lack of enough headphone amp power can cause a muddy bass and a'shimmer' effect that can make listening to music less enjoyable.
Another aspect to consider is that dynamic headphones tend to have more natural sound quality than the planar ones due to the fact that they can reproduce the frequency response and timbre of original audio recording better. The dynamics of the drivers are also more natural and realistic than the 'plucked' sound of headphones that are
planar magnetic speakers. However, this can be compensated by an effective headphone amplifier and some modern planar headphones are more powerful than their older counterparts like the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is due to the fact that the drivers are more sophisticated and can be controlled by higher-level headphone amplifiers.
Comfort
Planar magnetic headphones have been gaining popularity in recent years, and it's no surprise since they offer better sound quality and more precise sound. They tend to be heavier and more expensive than dynamic headphones. This is because they have a larger driver and require more power to uniformly move them. They require balanced outputs which are found on the majority of DAPs and dongles. They also tend to leak more sound than dynamic drivers.