Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones

Dynamic drivers are a great choice for those looking for headphones that can produce many different sound profiles. These headphones utilize an electric voice coil and magnetic windings which move forwards and backwards to cause the speaker's diaphragm to vibrate.

This creates a spherical soundwavefront that accurately represents audio. However, this can lead to distortion at higher volumes.

Cost

Dynamic drivers are simple to make and inexpensive. They're basically a coil of wire (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm made of plastic that's set into a magnet, and What is a Planar headphone they vibrate in response to the electric signals sent by your audio source. Due to this, they require less power to operate than planar or electrostatic headphones. This makes them more portable and convenient to use while you're on the move. The headphones with a planar design have an intricate motor system and larger diaphragms. These require multiple magnets or larger magnets in order to move. This means that they be more expensive and are usually heavier and larger than their dynamic counterparts. They also require more power to run, which is the reason most headphones with planar technology require an external amplifier to get the optimal results.

Bass Response

The main difference between dynamic and planar headphones is the bass response. Planar drivers have superior linearity, better deep bass extension, and less distortion compared to dynamic headphones. They also offer a more precise image and better clarity. They might not have the same punch and slam as dynamic headphones. This has led to the trend of hybrid IEMs that utilize two types of drivers. These IEMs offer the best magnetic planar headphones of both worlds and satisfy the wide array of listening preferences.

Dynamic drivers are employed in headphones to transmit sound vibrations via the wire that is suspended by the membrane. The magnetic field generated by the coil triggers the diaphragm to vibrate, which creates the sounds that we hear. However, this can lead to distortion in the lower frequencies, as the diaphragm's motion is not precise or consistent. This is the reason it is essential to consider your personal preferences for listening and your listening environment before deciding on which type of headphone is right for you.

With the introduction of headphones with planar magnetic design distortion has been greatly reduced, as the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm does not move as much. Additionally the flat design of the diaphragm permits it to react more quickly to changes in the input signal. This is especially true for the high-frequency frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones provide more precise sound and more detail.

Dynamic headphones are a bit older than planar magnetic ones and have been the standard in terms of bass response. In the past, dynamic driver headphones had a flat frequency response all the way down to 20Hz, while planar magnetic headphones had a greater roll-off in this range. As technology has advanced, however, many planar headphones now offer a full range bass response that what Is a planar headphone comparable to premium open dynamic driver headphones.

The NAN-7 For instance, the NAN-7 is a high-end planar that has an impressive sense of impact and bass. Its bass is crisp and nimble and has a fantastic sub-bass slam. Its ability deliver a powerful bass with a powerful sense of ambience and authority is a great choice for orchestral music such as the opening fanfare of Richard Strauss’s opera Aleksandr Solti’s "Alsosprach Zarathustra". The NAN-7 also stands out for its imaging capabilities.

Soundstage

Planar headphones typically have a wider soundstage. The diaphragm has more volume and can move more evenly which can lead to an extended, flat soundwave that enhances clarity and imaging. This is especially evident on high-end headphones like the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However it can also be seen on cheaper choices.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike dynamic drivers that only vibrate a portion of the diaphragm connected to the voice coil when the electrical signal is applied, have a larger surface area that can be moved. This results in less distortion even at high volumes. They also have a more transient response. This means they can handle rapid changes in the input signal.

It is important to remember that headphones with a planar design may have a small soundstage if they are not being properly pushed. A lack of enough headphone amp power could cause a muddy bass and a "shimmer" effect which can make listening to music less fun.

Another factor to consider is that dynamic headphones generally have a more natural sound than the planar ones due to the fact that they can reproduce the frequency response and timbre of the original audio recording better. The dynamic range of the driver is also more realistic and natural than the 'plucked' style of headphones that are planar. However, this can be compensated for with a good headphone amplifier, and some of the latest planar headphones have better punch than their older counterparts, such as the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is due to more advanced drivers that can be driven by a higher quality headphone amplifier.

Comfort

In recent times, magnetic headphones with planar design are gaining popularity. This is not surprising because they provide more accurate sound. The downside is that they're typically more expensive and heavier than dynamic headphones. This is because they have larger drivers and require more power to move them uniformly. This is why they require balanced outputs that are found on the majority of DAPs and dongles. They also tend to leak sound more than dynamic drivers.