How Do
Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
It may be difficult to understand how planar magnetic drivers work even if you've never used a pair. Planar magnetic drivers make use of two flat magnets that sandwich a thin diaphragm and conductors. This is different from the voicecoil actuator which is a cone that is pushed back and back and forth.
The Diaphragm
In contrast to a traditional dynamic headphone driver that has dome or cone shaped diaphragm, a
magnet planar has a flat piece of flexible film. The film has conductors traced on it that react with magnets that are placed on either side of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is able to react and move when the magnetic field created by these magnets gets triggered by the electrical signal that runs through the wires. This motion creates sound waves that can be heard by you.
The diaphragm of the human body is a dome-shaped muscle membranous structure that separates the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary respiratory muscle and is involved in the process of inspiratory action (exhaling air), such as breathing, sneezing, coughing, laughing, crying vomiting, and even parturition. The diaphragm also plays an important role in expulsive movements like urination, defecating and pushing the fetus out at birth.
Due to the ultra-light and thin structure of the diaphragm of a planar magnetic it is more flexible to changes in audio signal than dynamic drivers. This gives planar magnetic headphones an audio that is more precise and delicate than the sound you get from dynamic drivers.
One of the downsides of planar-magnet headphones is that, at higher volume, they tend to leak more than their dynamic counterparts. This is because of the motion of the magnet diaphragm in the planar headphones that causes some audio to be pushed away from the listener.
This isn't an issue if you use headphones in quiet settings or when watching movies however it can be a nuisance for listening in public and use. There are, however, excellent options to limit the amount of leakage such as the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Sundara. Wisdom Audio, for example, is at the forefront in developing PMD technology. They have put in a lot of effort to address issues with this kind of headphone. This is why they have patented several innovations that you can see in their products. Their new flex-circuit-based planar wounding overcomes the limitations stamped copper windings have to offer a higher utilization.
The Conductors
Conductors connect the diaphragm to the magnets and they are the ones responsible for creating the sound you hear. They are usually made of a mixture of copper and aluminum. They are then wrapped around a central magnetic core, which is enclosed by the diaphragm, and is held by the frame of the headphone. The magnetic core is a circular form of magnetic element and can be made from any material, but it is typically made by using Neodymium. The core is the central element of any planar audio driver and consists of several nested layers of an helix that is circular with a diameter of 10-20mm.
Planar magnetic drivers have the advantage of a larger soundstage compared to their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the fact that when an audio signal arrives, the entire diaphragm vibrates instead of the tiny area that is attached to the voice coil. This larger surface area also results in lower distortion levels, particularly at higher volumes.
A magnet planar's ability to respond quickly to changes in the audio signals is another important feature. This enables a wider range of frequencies that can be reproduced, as well as a more realistic sound. Audiophiles who appreciate music that includes different instruments and vocals will appreciate this feature.
Additionally, the stacked design of a planar magnet reduces part-to-part variation and is perfect for mission-critical applications that require high-reliability. They are more consistent and have lower distortion in the magnetic field when in comparison to wirewound magnets. This is crucial for the success of electronic devices.
The Magnets
A magnet is a substance that has magnetic properties. It can exert an attractive or repulsive force on certain substances such as iron, nickel, cobalt and a few steels. It also can draw or repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is referred to as magnetism. It can be produced in temporary, permanent or electromagnets. Magnets are used in many applications, including electronic devices such as headphones, mobile phones and laptop computers.
Planar magnetic driver technology, in contrast to traditional dynamic or balanced armature drivers which use a rigid, stiff diaphragm with a voice coil to create the sound wavefront, employs a thin and flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is vibrating and creates a flat wavefront rather than a focused spherical one, which is the norm in most headphones and speaker. This creates a larger and more expansive soundstage, and is also well-known for its deep bass.
The main drawback of planar magnetic drivers is that they need quite a bit of power to move the massive magnets within them making them more bulky and heavier than other kinds of headphone drivers. Therefore, a lot of planar magnetic drivers require a separate power amplifier to function properly.
The amplifier should be constructed to match the output power of the planar magnetic driver in order to give the best listening experience. The amplifier should also have an impedance that is high at the input to allow it to operate the planar magnet driver at its maximum output.
The planar magnetic drive is typically designed as either dipole, which emits equally and in opposing phases in front and behind the speaker (like ESLs) or a monopole, which emits only in the forward direction (more than traditional headphones). The most common design of a planar magnetic driver is a bipole that has two poles that alternate on the south and north. Its shape allows it to be made as one piece of metal, and
magnet planar produces a very solid field in the center of the faceplate.
Planar magnetic drivers are more efficient and have a smaller distortion because of their size. They are used in high-end headphone systems where sound accuracy matters. They can also be found in professional audio equipment such as microphones and loudspeakers. They are also suitable for medical imaging and other applications that require high-quality precision.
The Seal
To perform well for optimal performance, planar drivers need to be sealed very well and precisely. A tiny leak can be a major impact on the sound quality and even cause distortion. So, a lot of work goes into creating the proper seal for planar drivers.
Unlike many conventional headphone designs, planar magnetic headphones must not have any gaps in the acoustic enclosure. This is because gaps could cause the diaphragm's resonance at multiple frequencies at once. The problem of crosstalk can affect the sound quality.
Rubber ring seals are the most commonly used seals used in headphones that are planar. This type of seal prevents air leaks with great efficiency. It's also extremely durable and can last for a long time. It is important to keep in mind that this type of seal may sometimes create a hollow sound. If you're planning to use a planar magnetic headphone, it's important to select a high-quality seal.
Another alternative for a planar magnetic driver is the liquid crystal display (LCD) seal. It is a specialized seal that is designed to stop gaps from developing. It can also be able to withstand pressures of a considerable amount. This makes it a great choice for audiophiles who are seeking the best audio quality.
LCD headphones can provide clear and precise sound.
