Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones use a thin, flat diaphragm hung between two magnets to create uniform soundwaves. This gives a better soundstage, greater detail and a distinctive sound signature.

They are typically more expensive and are harder to drive than dynamic headphones, but they can be worth the investment for audiophiles. You can buy one for less than $400, like the budget-friendly Hifiman HE-400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.

Soundstage

With their massive drivers these headphones create exceptionally wide soundstages. These large soundscapes enable listeners to experience a greater amount of detail and create a more immersive listening experience. You'll be able to better identify the position of the individual instruments and vocals in the mix which makes them a great choice for mixing or studio use.

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their outstanding bass sound. Their massive drivers are able to move a lot more air, which allows them to reproduce deep bass notes with amazing accuracy and clarity. This is a major improvement over the muddy, tinny bass you hear from most dynamic driver planar headphones.

Planar magnetic headphones are unique in that they employ a flat diaphragm, sandwiched in an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two magnetic arrays. When an electrical charge flows through the conductive trace it creates a magnetic field that causes the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and generate audio waves. The movement of the diaphragm is controlled by the magnetic field, and it is evenly spread across the entire area. This produces an isodynamic (or constant) field that guarantees that the motion of the dialygm remains constant across the entire frequency range.

Because the distortion created by a dynamic driver is due to the voice coil moving between and out of contact with the diaphragm, planar 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 high volumes.

One downside of these headphones is that they leak a bit more than traditional open-back headphone models. This is because the large diaphragms in these headphones circulate a huge amount of air, and some of it escapes from the back of the headphone. If you're listening in a quiet area this isn't a problem.

The decision between planar magnetic headphones and dynamic headphones is based on your budget and listening preferences. If you prioritize accuracy, detail and low distortion, then a pair of planar magnetic headphones will be the best option for you.

Detail

In recent years, audiophiles have become more attracted to planar magnetic headphones. Known for their spacious sound, they use diaphragms with flat surfaces that move at amazing agility and speed to produce superior high frequencies and a deep bass. Contrary to dynamic drivers, which have rigid, rigid driver voice coils, the conductor trace of planar magnetic headphone drivers is fixed on the flat surface of the diaphragm, and it reacts to the magnetic field created by two opposing magnets. This allows the drivers to reproduce frequencies with higher ranges than other headphones, without experiencing driver distortion or diaphragm damage in high volumes.

This also leads to the diaphragm's flat surface creating a larger soundwavefront, which is more planar, rather than an spherical wavefront that is more focused like dynamic drivers (although some of the newer, higher-end dynamic driver headphones like Focal Utopia can extend into 20 Hz). The wider and larger soundstage of these headphones provides them with an remarkable ability to bring out the specifics in recordings. This is especially noticeable when it is related to instruments. The clarity and precision of headphones with planar magnetic technology allows you to hear each string or woodwind note exactly as designed by the composer.

A good pair of headphones can also reproduce the sounds that surround you. Depending on the shape of the ear cups, and whether they're closed-back or open back headphones, some models leak sound through the inside of the ear cup. This is not a problem in most cases, but it can be a nuisance to those who are near you when you listen. With this in mind, it's crucial to look for a pair of headphones that are specifically designed to prevent leakage, or even come with an optional grille that you can use for listening in public spaces.

Regardless of the type of headphone you choose it is crucial to find a pair that fits your lifestyle and listening preferences. With a wide selection of styles, sizes, and prices, there's sure to be a pair of magnetic planar headphones that will give you the best music experience for you!

Comfort

A planar-style magnetic headphones employs thin diaphragms with conductors hung on various magnets to manipulate sound waves. This broader wavefront produces more natural and immersive sounds with remarkable clarity, speed, and accuracy. They are hefty and require an amp specifically designed for them to reach their full potential.

In recent years, many specialized HiFi audio brands have brought this old technology back. This allows listeners to experience new levels in audio quality. These headphones may not look like the sleek models, but they are renowned for their deep bass, intimate audio and superb stage depth.

These headphones are comfortable and easy-to-wear despite their dimensions and distinctive design. The earcups will seal in your ears and keep out any background noise and allow you to concentrate on the music, but they don't cling to the neck and head like some other over-ear designs do. The lightweight design and comfortable earpads can be a big draw for some listeners.

Another disadvantage of planar magnetic headphones is that they are generally high cost. You can find budget-friendly dynamics headphones, but many models require a dedicated DAC/amplifier to get the best out of them. This is because they are more complicated than their dynamic counterparts and typically require a lot of electricity to move the two magnets around.

Some of the planar headphones are inexpensive (such as HIFIMAN's Deva and AUdeze's Venus) However, the majority of them are in the high-end category and some costing over $400. It's a huge expense, especially if you only listen to music on the go or spend the majority of your time gaming however, for those who wish to hear music at its highest quality and realism, they offer an incredible listening experience.

Despite their great sound, the biggest downside to the majority of planar headphones is leakage. Dual magnets rotate in both directions, causing the headphones to leak sound. This can be disruptive to those who are in the vicinity or let outside noises to infiltrate. Certain models are more vulnerable to this than others. However, it is a concern to most listeners who would like to listen in a quiet environment.

Noise isolation

A pair of headphones must be able to isolate your ears from the surroundings to qualify to be called "headphones". A quality pair of planar headphones should have ergonomic design and the best materials to stop the sound from entering your ears. This will lessen the sound you hear and provide you with more of an immersive experience.

As a general rule, planar magnetic headphones tend to be larger and heavier than their counterparts with dynamic sound. This is due to the fact that the driver itself uses an increased surface area to transmit audio which requires a larger earcup. Audio brands that are boutique prefer earpieces that look as stunning as they sound. They use exotic woods and composites in their designs.

Planar magnetic headphones regulate electrical current using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field on either side of the film causes the diaphragm's diaphragms to vibrate and produce sound waves. The fact that the entire diaphragm is being driven to vibrate by the magnetic field, not just a small section that's connected to a voice coil means they are much less prone to distortion at high volumes.

A lot of the newer planar magnet headphones have a lower bass and lack the "slam or punch" you'd get from a top-quality pair with dynamic drivers. It's a trade-off, and one which can be resolved through careful comparisons of different sets of headphones.

As a result, it's best to take your time when searching for magnetic Planar a pair of planar magnetic headphones and read carefully reviews from professional audio websites and users on the subreddit r/headphones. You can be sure that the headphones you pick will meet your audio and music needs. Once you've made that decision it's a matter of finding a good price-to-performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 over-ear headphones are an excellent example of this, which combines incredible audio quality with a sleek stealth style and comfortable cushions that are comparable to the comfort of headphones that cost significantly more than the M1060.