Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones produce uniform sound waves by using a thin, flat membrane suspended between magnets. This creates a more immersive soundstage, greater detail and a distinctive sound signature.
They are typically more expensive and difficult to drive than dynamic headphones, but they can be worth the investment for audiophiles. You can buy a pair for less than $400, for instance the affordable Hifiman HE-400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.
Soundstage
With their massive drivers, planar magnetic headphones can create soundstages that are extremely wide. These vast soundscapes allow you to hear a much more detailed sound, resulting in an immersive listening experience. You are able to better distinguish individual vocals and instruments in the mix. This makes them a great option for mixing or studio use.
In addition to their impressive soundstage, the planar magnetic headphones are also renowned for their outstanding bass performance. Their massive drivers can move a significant amount of air, giving them the ability to reproduce full and deep bass notes with exceptional accuracy and clarity. This is a major improvement over the muddy, tinny bass you hear from most dynamic driver headphones.
The headphones of the planar magnetic type are unique in that they employ a flat diaphragm, sandwiched in an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two magnetic arrays. When an electrical current flows through the conductive pattern, it creates a magnetic field that causes the diaphragm vibrate and produce sound waves. The diaphragm's motion is controlled by the magnetic field and it is evenly dispersed across the entire surface area. This produces an isodynamic field which ensures that the diaphragm's motion is consistent across the entire frequency range.
The distortion produced by dynamic drivers is due to the voice coil moving in and out of contact with the diaphragm, plane magnetic headphones exhibit significantly less distortion than their dynamic counterparts. This means you'll be able to hear the music exactly as the artist intended it even at higher volumes.
Planar magnetic headphones leak more than dynamic models with open backs. This is due to the large diaphragms that are used in these headphones move a great amount of air, and some of it escapes from the back of the headphone. But, if you're listening in an isolated environment, this shouldn't be an issue.
Choosing between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones is based on your listening preferences and budget. If you are looking for accuracy, detail and low distortion, then a pair of planar magnetic headphones will be the right choice for you.
Detail
In recent years, audiophiles have been more attracted to planar magnetic headphones. They are renowned for their large sound, they use diaphragms with flat surfaces that move at incredible agility and speed to produce superior high frequencies and a deep bass. Contrary to dynamic drivers, which have rigid, stiff driver voice coils, the conductor trace of planar magnetic headphone drivers is fixed on the flat diaphragm's surface and it responds to the magnetic field produced by two magnets that are opposite. This allows the drivers to reproduce frequencies with higher ranges than other headphones, and without distortion to the driver or damage to the diaphragm when they are used at high volumes.
The flat diaphragm can also produce a wider and more planar soundwavefront than dynamic drivers, which have a more centered, spherical soundwavefront (although some high-end dynamic driver headsets, such as the Focal Utopia can be extended to 20Hz). Planar magnetic headphones offer a wider, more expansive soundstage that allow them to display recordings with greater clarity. This is particularly evident when it concerns instruments. The clarity and precision of the planar magnetic headphones allow you to hear each string or woodwind note as designed by the composer.
A good pair of headphones will also reproduce the sounds around you. Some headphones leak sound through the earcup's back and this is based on whether they're open-back or closed-back. This is not an issue in all instances, but it could be a problem for those who are near you when you listen. With this in mind, it's important to find a pair of headphones that are specifically designed to limit leakage, or even have an optional grille to use when listening in public places.
It is essential to select a headphone that suits your lifestyle and preferences in listening. There are many types, sizes and prices of a planar magnetic headphone that will suit your preferences for listening.
Comfort
A planar headphone is made up of thin diaphragms that are imprinted with conductors that are strung across an array of magnets which alter sound waves in ways traditional dynamic headphones are unable to. This larger wavefront creates sounds that are more resonant and natural, with incredible clarity, speed, precision, and speed. However, they can be heavy and require an amplifier that is specifically designed to maximize their potential.
In recent years, a variety of special HiFi audio brands have brought this old technology back. This lets listeners experience new levels in audio quality. They may not appear like the sleek models but they are known for their deep bass, intimate audio and superb stage depth.
These headphones are comfortable and easy to wear despite their dimensions and unique design. The earcups will seal in your ears and keep out ambient noise which allows you to focus on your audio, but they don't clamp onto the neck or head as certain over-ear models can. Some listeners are also drawn to the light design and earpads that are comfortable.
The price of a planar magnetic headphone is a further drawback. While you can find affordable dynamic headphones, many planar models require a dedicated DAC and amplifier to get the most out of them. They are more complex than their dynamic counterparts and require a lot of power to move the magnets.
Although there are some budget-friendly options (such as the HIFIMAN Deva or AUdeze Venus), most planar headphones fall within the high-end range and some of the best choices costing over $400. This is a big investment, especially in the case of listening to music while on the move or spend most of your time playing games but for those who want to enjoy music with the highest level of clarity and realism, they offer an incredible listening experience.
The most significant drawback of planar headphones, despite their excellent audio quality, is their leakage. Dual magnets rotate in both directions, which causes the headphones to leak sound. This can be disruptive to those sitting nearby or allow outside noises to infiltrate. Certain models are more susceptible to this than others, but it's a concern for most listeners who want to enjoy the sound of a pair of these headphones in an unobtrusive environment.
Noise isolation
For a pair to be called "headphones" they should be able to separate your ears from the environment. A quality pair of planar headphones will use an ergonomic design and the finest materials to prevent noise from escaping your ears. This will reduce the noise that you hear and offer more of an immersive experience.
In general the headphones with planar magnets are heavier and larger than dynamic headphones. This is due to the driver itself uses a larger surface area to deliver audio, requiring a bigger earcup. The most prestigious audio brands prefer earcups that look as good as they sound, by using exotic woods and composites in their designs.
Read Significantly more regulate electrical current using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field that is present on each side of the film causes it to vibrate, which creates sound waves. The fact that the entire diaphragm is being triggered to vibrate by an electric field rather than just a small area connected to a voice coil makes them less prone to distortion at high volume.
Many of the newer planar magnet headphones have lower bass and lack the 'punch or slam' you would get from a top-quality pair with dynamic drivers. It's all about balancing the trade-offs when looking at different headphones.
So, it's best to take your time looking for a set of planar magnetic headphones and carefully read reviews from professional audio sites as well as those on the subreddit r/headphones. That's how you can be sure that the pair of headphones you select will give you the best performance for your needs and preferences. Once you've done this, all that's left is to find a good price/performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 headphones are a excellent example, since they offer incredible sound quality with a sleek stealthy design and comfortable pads that rival headphones costing much more than the M1060.