How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
As compared to dynamic drivers, magnetic headphones with planar design have less distortion. This is because they vibrate the whole diaphragm and not just the part that is attached to the voice coil.
They also have a larger soundstage with better instrument separation and differentiation capabilities. However, they do leak more, requiring isolation to keep from disturbing those near you.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm is a key part in almost all sound transducers (headphones and loudspeakers and microphones) that are used to move air in order to produce sound. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets, and generates an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In a planar headphone, the electric current from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm by a coil. The coil creates an electric field that causes the diaphragm to vibrate.
The sound is transferred to your ear via the diaphragm's suspended, which is usually made of an artificial material like titanium or neodymium. The diaphragm will then resonate with your ear using various frequencies. Contrary to dynamic drivers that are used in planar headphones, planar magnetic headphones can offer very high SPLs, without sounding blurred or muddy.
In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs and high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a better soundstage. The reason is that the diaphragm's flat shape creates a planar sound wavefront, instead of the focused spherical wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. In turn, the headphones provide a more natural soundstage that's more easily to locate.
The transient response is yet another benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is due to their ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, for example cymbal crashes and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is large and is evenly distributed across the surface, so there's no distortion once peak levels are reached.
However, planar magnetic headphones have a few drawbacks that should be considered when deciding on the best set. One of them is that they generally cost more than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their drivers that can be complicated, as well as the history of the brand behind them.
There are a variety of budget-friendly planar magnets that cost less than $100. They are available in closed-back and open-back styles. You can choose the one that best suits your personal preferences for listening. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the best headphones available.
The voice coil
Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and precision across the entire range of frequencies. This is largely due to their thin, flat diaphragm which is sandwiched between two arrays magnets. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted, the conductive materials windings of the vocal coil react with the magnet field, and cause the dialyms to vibrate. This produces sound waves.
The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that each vibration occurs at the same speed and is consistent regardless of the position of the diaphragm within the magnetic field. This ensures a consistent sound quality with less distortion and an even wavefront that is easier on the ears. Dynamic drivers, on the other hand tend to create sound waves that are less uniform and more round.
Planar magnetic drivers because of their working method requires a stronger amplifying system. They are also heavier and bulkier due to their larger flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC in order to drive them.
Additionally that, planar magnetic drivers are much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts because they're typically made from high-quality materials. In recent years, however, a few HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have revived this technology. As a result, we're seeing a number of amazing new headphones with planar magnetic drivers, which provide an exceptional listening experience.
The decision between dynamic and planar headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget. The headphones made of planar magnetic are known for their accuracy and detail and have a larger soundstage than dynamic models. However, they're often more expensive, and many listeners prefer the booming bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.
In general, dynamic driver headphones have some more slam and punch than the planar magnetic ones, but the differences aren't always apparent to the majority of listeners. They also offer better imaging and distinction. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule and some of the best headphones that are planar-magnetic can be found at a very affordable price.
Magnets
In a headphone with dynamic driver, electrical impulses from the source of your audio are transmitted through a coil of conductive materials that interact with magnetic fields inside the driver. They are then used to alter the diaphragm's flat surface and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones on the other hand make use of a thin layer of conductive material sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They're more difficult to make and are the reason they're more expensive.
They also tend to be bigger and heavier because of their design, which requires more space around the drivers. They also consume more power than their counterparts with dynamic drivers, which means they'll require an amp specifically designed for headphone use to maximize their performance. This isn't an issue all the time but it's something to think about when selecting these headphones.
It's not the case for all headphones, but a lot of the best planar-magnet headphones have an airier, more open sound. They can provide a sense that they are in a larger space, which appeals to some listeners. They also have a bigger soundstage, which is useful when listening to music together with other people.
A number of boutique headphone brands such as HiFiMAN and Audeze make use of the open-back design. While they're not as common as closed-back models, they are an excellent opportunity to experience the advantages of planar magnetic technology. For example, the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, precision and detail of these headphones at an affordable price.
The housing
You may have heard of planar magnet headphones if you are an audiophile or if you simply enjoy good music. They sport a unique appearance, featuring flat diaphragms that are embedded into the headphone. They are available in both over-ear and open-back designs. These headphones aren't just unique in design but also operate on a different principle than dynamic drivers.
In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver that relies on a voice coil to generate sound waves Planar magnetic headphones employ an array of magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth in order to generate sound. These arrays can be positioned on one or both sides based on the design. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields that interact with the magnets at either end of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms to push and pull against the magnetic fields. This results in sound waves which represent the audio signal.
Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide a more resonant sound and a more extended bass. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds faster to changes in the input signal, meaning they can respond faster to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This provides them with an improved, precise sound that audiophiles like.
These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies but lack the punch and slam that modern dynamic driver headphones can provide. As such, they can be a bit difficult to listen to for those who are looking to use them to listen to hard rock or metal music.
Because of their distinctive design, planar magnetic headphones are more expensive than other types of headphone. The drivers are powered by an audio digital converter and a specialized amplifier. This could result in an expensive cost increase for some customers, but many people believe the sound quality is worth it. There are many other types of headphones for those who don't need to spend a lot.