Planar Magnetic Earbuds
A great pair of planar magnet headphones can elevate your mobile listening experience to a whole new level, whether you're an audiophile or just seeking to upgrade. They are perfect for critical listening, such as in audio production or at home and allowing you to relax and enjoy your favorite tunes with comfort and clarity.
Price
The good news is planar magnetic headphones can provide a lot of detail without distortion. The downside is that they can be expensive. Planar magnetic drivers (sometimes called orthodynamic) make use of a diaphragm with a small amount of conductive material sandwiched between two magnets. They have a wider frequency response than traditional dynamic drivers and can sound very spacious, even though they might not have the same deep bass.
In general, planar magnetic headphone designs are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts due to the fact that they tend to be larger and require more power to drive. They also have open-back designs that allow for the bleed of sound and allow in the surrounding noise. This can make them less portable than their counterparts that are more dynamic and more likely to require an external amplifier for optimal performance.
While try here can cost thousands of dollars There are plenty of choices for audiophiles on a budget willing to compromise. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example, is a pair of open-back headphones that offer the speed and accuracy a planar magnet headphone can offer without breaking the bank.
Audeze LCD-2 Classic is another excellent option. It offers a combination between bass slam, and nimble technical features that make it ideal for listening metal music. The LCD-2 is among the few headphones on this list to come with a hard-back pelican-style case. This will provide you with even more protection.
If you're looking for the top planar magnetic headphones available be prepared to spend at least $350. The likes of the aforementioned HIFIMAN Sundara are detail powerhouses and a great entry point into the world of high-end headphones.
Design
Planar magnetic headphones feature ultra-thin membranes imprinted with conductors and strung over an array of magnets that manipulates them at an incredible speed to produce sound. They provide extremely low distortion and lightning fast transient response. Audeze, the manufacturer, states that they also have a an extensive and precise response in terms of frequency.
Audeze, HiFiMAN and other manufacturers have integrated this technology into their high-end audiophile headphones. However, these aren't the grandfather's headphones. They tend to be heavier and larger than traditional dynamic-driver headphones, frequently creating significant discomfort for some listeners after prolonged listening. Many of the top audio brands have come up with more compact designs which are more comfortable.
Many of these newer designs offer better bass response than older headphones. Planar magnetic headphones can produce bass at a level that is higher than the majority of dynamic driver headphones. This is the case even for open-back models such as the Audeze Sundara and LCD-4z. In general, however the planar headphones provide better image structure and clarity, and can isolate individual instrument lines in a mix more easily. They also give a distinct "plucked" sound that some music lovers find appealing.
All of these benefits all add up to an even more natural and spacious soundstage that brings music to life, and gives it the feeling of space and airiness that headphones with dynamic drivers struggle with. These headphones are great for jazz and classical music, as well as modern instrumentalists. They can handle the most intricate details and articulations, without obstructing the rest. There are two kinds of headphones: close-back and open-back. The one is larger but less effective at isolating sound from your surroundings and the latter is more private but compromises a bit of transparency.
Soundstage
A good planar magnetic headphone will provide an expansive soundstage, which enhances the authenticity of your favourite music. They also reproduce bass notes with the full-bodied sound that listeners appreciate, resulting in an exciting and enjoyable listening experience.
Planar headphones utilize unique drivers to create their stunning soundstages. Instead of the domes and cones that the majority of headphones employ, planar models make use of ultra-thin diaphragms that are suspended in a magnetic field. These drivers can transport much greater amounts of air than regular dynamic driver speakers, resulting in superior clarity and accuracy in low frequency. This is one reason planar headphones are so well-liked by audiophiles and engineers alike.
These drivers have a larger volume, which allows for a larger and broader soundstage when compared to other headphones. A quality pair of planar headphones will also deliver detailed and spacious mids and highs. They create high-quality audio that is not comparable to other headphones, from most affordable portable models to the most expensive HiFi models available.
Do your research before upgrading to the latest model of planar headphones. You can read reviews on trusted audio websites like Head-Fi or the subreddit r/headphones. You can also check out the opinions of actual users on social media. This will help you determine which pair of headphones to purchase according to your personal requirements and preferences.
Like all headphones like all headphones, planar magnetic headphones are available with closed-back or open-back designs. Closed-back headphones are more discreet, but open-back headphones let sound escape from the earcups. While both have advantages and drawbacks, the majority of listeners prefer open-back planar headphones because they offer a sensation of realism and airiness to their sound.
Comfort
Planar magnetic headphones can be quite comfortable and often feature the earpads of soft, premium materials such as suede or leather. In addition, a lot of higher-end models have the headband that is lightweight and breathable. This means that they're comfortable for long periods of time.
Many audiophiles opt for planar magnetic headphones since they can provide a sense of immersion into their music. They can also add new life to your favorite songs thanks to their amazing clarity as well as realism and detail. However, since they often utilize open-back designs that leak sound and let noise from the surrounding in, they can be not the best choice for listening to music in public.
The most recent generation of planar drivers are capable of overcoming this issue by using an improved dual voice coil array that splits the frequency response of the diaphragm. This allows the low frequencies to be handled by a switchback coil that is placed on top of the driver and the mid-high frequencies to be handled by a spiral coil that is positioned directly over the ear canal.
In the end, modern-day headphones are more comfortable and lightweight than their predecessors. They also have a better bass and a more clear sound than dynamic headphones. They are also less susceptible to harmonic distortion than other types of headphones. The diaphragm's motion is faster and more consistent compared to a dynamic speaker. This makes it less susceptible to fluctuations.
Noise isolation
The best planar magnetic headphones provide superior noise isolation over their dynamic driver counterparts. These headphones also have lower impedance, which makes them more compatible with portable electronics. They also require less power. They also have a larger frequency range than other headphones, allowing you to hear more bass frequencies and audio detail.
Planar magnetic headphones have been praised for their precision and clarity in sound reproduction. They are especially adept at reproducing music, voice and instruments with rich harmonics. This is thanks to their ultra-thin diaphragm which is four times bigger than the typical voice coil found in the majority of headphones. The resultant distortion is less, which means quicker response times as well as better quality and clarity.
While the top models of these headphones cost several thousand dollars, there are affordable options for music lovers. You can locate the ideal pair of planar magnet headphones by determining your budget, listening preferences and style.
If you're a fan of open-back or closed-back headphone designs take into consideration the way and location you will be using them to determine which type is ideal for you. Open-back headphones offer an energizing and natural soundstage, but they also leak out the surrounding noise. Closed-back headphones prevent loss of sound and provide excellent noise isolation.
Find headphones that have comfortable, soft earpads as well as an adjustable headband that fits snugly around your ears. These features are crucial particularly if you plan to wear the headphones for long periods of time. You should break your listening sessions to avoid getting tired ears. Make sure you select a headphone that has an equalizer (EQ) function which allows you to adjust the sound signature to your liking.