Planar Magnetic Earbuds
If you're a professional audiophile or just looking to improve your listening experience on the go, a pair of planar magnetic headphones can elevate your music experience to the next level. These headphones are great for critical listening in audio production or at home, where you can relax with your favourite tunes and listen to them with ease and clarity.
Price
The good news is planar magnetic headphones can deliver plenty of detail and without distortion. The downside is that they usually have a significant price tag. Planar magnetic drivers, often referred to as orthodynamics, utilize an extremely thin diaphragm that is placed between two magnets. They have a much wider frequency response than traditional dynamic drivers and can sound surprisingly spacious, although they might not have as deep bass.
Planar magnetic headphones are generally more expensive than dynamic headphones because they are bigger and require more power. They tend to have open-back designs that allow in noise and bleeds sound. This makes them less mobile than their counterparts that are more dynamic and more likely to require an external amplifier for optimal performance.
There are a variety of alternatives for audiophiles on a budget who are willing to make concessions. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example is a pair of open-back headphones that provide the speed and precision that the planar magnet headphones can provide without breaking the bank.
Another option that is worth considering is the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, which provides a mix of bass slam and nimble technicalities which make them perfect for listening to metal music. The LCD-2 is among the few headphones on this list to come with a hard-back, pelican-style case. This will give you more protection.
If you're looking for the very best in planar magnetic headphones be prepared to spend at least $350. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example are headphones with a focus on detail that make an excellent entry into the world of high-end headphones.
Design
Planar magnetic headphones feature ultra-thin membranes imprinted with conductors and strung over an array of magnetic elements that manipulate them at a rapid pace to produce sound. They offer very low distortion and quick transient response. They also produce a very wide and accurate frequency response, according to the manufacturer Audeze.
Audeze, HiFiMAN and other manufacturers have incorporated this technology into their high-end audiophile headphones. However, these aren't your grandfather's headphones - they tend to be a lot heavier and bulkier than traditional dynamic-driver models, usually resulting in significant discomfort for some listeners following long listening sessions. Many boutique audio brands have come up with more compact designs which are more comfortable.
Many of these newer designs have better bass response than older models. Planar magnetic headphones are able to produce bass at a level that is greater than dynamic driver headphones. This is true even for open-back headphones like the Audeze Sundara and LCD-4z. Planar magnetic headphones, on the other hand provide a more detailed image structure, clarity, and can isolate each instrument line from a mix. They also impart a distinctive "plucked" sound that some music lovers find appealing.
All of these benefits all add up to an energizing, natural soundstage that makes music more vivid, and gives it the feeling of air and space that headphones with dynamic drivers struggle with. These headphones are perfect for classical and jazz music, as well as modern instrumentalists. They can handle complex details and articulations without weighing down the rest. There are two types of headphones: closed-back and open-back. The one is larger but is less effective at separating sounds from your surroundings and the other is more private, but reduces the clarity.
Soundstage
A good planar magnetic headphone can provide an expansive soundstage that enhances the authenticity of your favourite music. They can reproduce bass notes with the fullness that listeners appreciate. This creates an exciting and enjoyable listening experience.
Planar headphones create their impressive soundstages by using unique drivers. Instead of the conventional cones and domes that most headphones use, planar headphones utilize ultra-thin diaphragms hung in magnetic fields. These drivers are able to move a greater amount of air than standard dynamic driver speakers, resulting in better clarity and accuracy in low frequencies. This is why headphones with planar designs are extremely popular among audiophiles and audio engineers alike.
The large dimension of these drivers allows for an even larger and deeper soundstage than you'll find in the majority of headphones. A quality pair of planar headphones will also deliver detailed and spacious mids and highs. The high-quality audio that they produce is unmatched by other kinds of headphones, from the cheapest portable models to the most expensive HiFi options available.
Do your homework prior to upgrading to the latest model of planar headphones. Make sure you look through reviews by reliable audio sites like Head-Fi and the r/headphones subreddit and also look over reviews from real users on social media. This will help you determine which pair of headphones to choose according to your personal requirements and preferences.
Planar magnetic headphones are available in both open-back and close-back designs. Closed-back headphones are more private however open-back headphones allow sound to escape from the earcups. Both have advantages and drawbacks, most listeners prefer open-back planar headphones because they provide a sensation of realism and airiness to their sound.
Comfort
Planar magnetic headphones are quite comfortable and often feature the earpads of soft premium materials like suede or leather. Additionally, many of the more expensive models offer an earband that is lightweight and breathable. This ensures that they are comfortable for a long period of time.
One of the reasons many audiophiles opt for a pair of planar magnetic headphones is their capacity to give a sense of immersion in their music. They can also add new life to your favorite songs with their incredible clarity as well as realism and detail. However, because they tend to have open-back designs that let in sound and let the surrounding noise into the room, they are not the best choice for listening to music in public.
The most recent generation of planar drivers are able to overcome this limitation with a more efficient dual voice coil array that splits the frequency response of the diaphragm. This allows the lower frequencies to be handled by a switchback ring that is placed at the top of the driver, and the mid-high frequencies to be dealt with by a spiral coil which is directly above the ear canal.
In the end, modern headphones are more comfortable and lightweight than their predecessors. Additionally they tend to produce better bass with more clarity than dynamic headphones. They are also less susceptible to distortion caused by harmonics than other kinds of headphones. The diaphragm's movement is quicker and more uniform than dynamic speakers. This makes it less prone to fluctuations.
Noise isolation
The best planar magnetic headphones provide superior noise cancellation over their dynamic driver counterparts. They also have a lower impedance, which makes them ideal for use with portable electronics. They also require less power. These headphones also have a wider range of frequencies than other headphones. what are planar magnetic drivers allows you to hear more bass and audio detail.
Planar magnetic headphones are frequently appreciated for their clarity and precision sound reproduction. They are particularly good at reproducing music, voice and instruments with rich harmonics. The ultra-thin, four times bigger diaphragm is responsible for this. The result is lower distortion which allows for quicker response times as well as higher clarity and image.
There are a variety of low-cost alternatives for music lovers even though the high-end models can cost several thousand dollars. By determining your budget and listening preferences you can choose the perfect pair of planar magnetic headphones for you.
Open-back headphones offer a more spacious and natural soundstage but they also leak out background noise. To determine the best type for you, take into consideration where and how you'll make use of them. Open-back headphones have an energizing and natural soundstage but they also let out the surrounding noise. Closed-back headphones prevent sound leakage while providing excellent noise isolation.
Select headphones that have soft comfortable earpads. Also, make sure the headband can be adjusted and fits comfortably over your ears. These features are especially important if you will be wearing the headphones for long periods of time. Be sure to give yourself breaks between listening sessions to avoid ear fatigue. Make sure you select a headset with an equalizer (EQ) function that will let you fine-tune the sound signature to your liking.