Watch This: How Planar Magnetic Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones Planar magnetic headphones, also known as Isodynamic or Orthodynamic have earned themselves a name with audiophiles due to their stunning detail and deep bass. They also tend to leak lots of sound outwards, so they require a closed listening area and can disturb those nearby. However, they can offer outstanding sound for an affordable price. Closed or open back? It's not difficult to comprehend why audiophiles enjoy the planar magnetic headphones. The best models can deliver stunning clarity and detail without sounding distorted. However, they can be expensive and typically require a headphone amplifier to drive them. Additionally their open-back designs leak sound and let in the surrounding noise. If you're in the market for a pair of headphones that are planar it is important to think about your listening preferences and habits before making a purchase. The best place to start is to determine whether you'll be using your headphones for casual listening or audiophile-grade audio. Then, you'll need to consider your comfort needs and whether you prefer an open-back or closed-back design. Planar magnetic headphones have always had a distinct advantage in the bass department over dynamic driver headphones, since they can reproduce frequencies as low as 20hz, whereas dynamic driver headphones roll off at 50hz. However, this distinction has become less pronounced as manufacturers have tried to improve the quality of their diaphragms as well as making the rest of the headphones lighter. A lot of budget planar magnetic headphones are focused on clarity, highs and mids, not the bass that is deep. This means you may not have as much rumble or punch from these headphones, which may be a problem for certain listeners. HiFiMAN's Venus over-ear headphones are an exception. They have a closed-back design and a diaphragm that is only one-sided. They don't get as low yet, but they still offer rich sub-bass tones and engaging texture. Ultimately, the type of headphones you pick will depend on your preferences for listening and budget. If you're planning to listen to music on your laptop at home, then an open-back pair will be the best choice. A closed-back model is more suitable to use while on the move. If you plan to use your headphones for gaming the open-back version of the Audeze LCD-2 Classics may be better than a model that has a closed-back design such as the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. If you're a lover of music then any of these headphones will give you the full audio spectrum and exceptional detail that you're after. Bass response Planar magnetic headphones use a different technique to create audio that is different from traditional dynamic driver in-ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet that pushes the diaphragm to create audio, these headphones have two opposing magnetic fields encased around an electrified film. This produces a more natural sound, with less distortion. This also allows for a quicker response time and a greater frequency range than traditional dynamic drivers. The variation in bass response is noticeable. High-end dynamic headphones can go beyond 20hz, however the majority of planar headphones are able to go deeper and with less distortion. For audiophiles, this can make a huge difference and offers the most immersive in-ear listening experience you can get. Imaging is another way that planar headphones can enhance sound quality. Dynamic drivers only vibrate the diaphragm portion connected to the voice coil. This can result in small distortions that alter the audio reproduction. Planar drivers, on the other hand, can create a fuller soundstage because the entire diaphragm vibrates in response to an audio signal. This lets headphones accurately reproduce the stereo balance, transparency and position of instruments as specified by the audio producer. The downside of this is that open-back planar headphones like the HIFIMAN Ananda and the Monoprice M1070 don't create a sound barrier, so everyone within your proximity can hear your music. But it's a small trade-off for the amazing detail and clarity you'll enjoy. The leakage of headphones in planar models is greater than open-back dynamic ones because they have two magnetic fields that are in opposition. This is a huge issue for people who want to listen to music in quiet environments or who are concerned about causing disturbance to others who are around them. If you are worried about leakage, there are some alternatives to help with the issue, including the ear pads that wrap around the ears to provide additional isolation. Sensitivity In contrast to traditional dynamic drivers that have a dome or speaker cone in which the voice coil is vibrating, planar headphones feature incredibly thin membranes infused with conductors and strung across magnetic arrays that manipulate them at lightning speed. They can deliver a high-frequency response, which is a challenge to achieve with most headphones that use moving coils. They also have a crisp and deep bass down to the lowest frequency. They are a great choice for low frequencies, the cheapest over-ear magnetic headphones are usually lacking in acoustic precision, which would make them ideal for mixing or high-fidelity listening. The flatness of the diaphragms makes it difficult to drive them in a symmetrical manner similar to a moving-coil headphone. If you want a headphone with a great treble sound, you'll need to spend more than 500 dollars. Boutique audio brands, however, tend to offer a wide variety of models that are affordable and have excellent sound. One example is the Meze Elite, a pair of closed-back headphones which utilize an array of magnetics that is single-sided to give you a full-bodied listening experience. They feature a 90dB sensitivity and a resistance of 35ohms which will work with all consumer audio devices. They are also available in a stunning range of exotic woods and composites, making them look as luxurious as they sound. The HiFiMAN HE-560s, for example, are up to 30 percent lighter than competitors thanks to a unique magnetic structure as well as a myriad of other design innovations. This includes a patented design that minimizes wave-diffraction. This means they can be driven more efficiently and cause less distortion than double-sided designs. Of course, many of these same features also make the HE-560s more expensive than their rivals. If you're willing to pay a little more, you can experience a full range of musical sensations from the low-frequency rumble of a thunder storm to the glistening drums on your most-loved track. A set of quality planars can alter your music with their outstanding sound. It is crucial to choose the right model that fits your budget and needs. Comfort Upgrade to a premium pair of headphones if you like listening to music. The top headphones with planar magnets offer a level of clarity and detail you can't get from cheap headphones. No matter if you go with an over-ear model like the HiFiMan Sundara or an in-ear model that is portable like the CCA PLA 13, these headphones can bring new life to your most loved songs. However, planar headphones can be heavy due to their large ear cups and often require an additional headphone amplifier. Luckily, many of the boutique headphone brands have developed their headphones around these issues to deliver exceptional audio quality in a light package. The OPPO PM-3, for example is a compact closed-back magnetic headphone that can be folded flat and comes with a selvedge-denim carrying case, making it a breeze to take on the go. Due to their larger earcups, many planar magnetic headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Most models have ample padding and a carefully calibrated clamping pressure to ensure a comfortable fit. The OPPO PM-3 does not disappoint with its ultra-soft earpads as well as suspension bands that evenly distribute the weight evenly across the head. Contrary to dynamic drivers Planar magnetic drivers utilize large diaphragms with flexible diaphragms to create mid and bass sounds. They can move much more air than their stiffer counterparts, without experiencing the massive excursion that can damage or degrade traditional dynamic driver systems. This leads to an extremely smooth and broad frequency response, and incredible bass depth. planar magnetic technology of planar magnetic headphones is their less distortion and better efficiency than most dynamic headphones. They are ideal for listening at high volumes without sacrificing comfort and detail. While some of them require an external headphone amplifier They are designed to be as efficient as is possible and can be used with almost every audio source. In the end, deciding if the planar magnetic in-ear headphones are worth it depends on your personal preferences as well as budgetary limitations. The best headphones for planar are able of delivering amazing bass and clarity, without ever slipping into distortion. However they are expensive to drive and require more power. Additionally, they usually have open-back designs that let in noise and can let in ambient sound.