Five People You Must Know In The Planar Magnetic Industry

Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones, also referred to as orthodynamic or planar magnetic earbuds Isodynamic have earned themselves a name among audiophiles for their incredible clarity and deep bass.

They also let some of the sound to the outside, which is why they require an isolated listening space and could disturb those who are around you. However, they do provide excellent sound quality at affordable prices.

Open or closed back?

It's not hard to understand why audiophiles enjoy headphones with magnetic planar design. The top models can deliver stunning clarity and detail without sounding unnatural. However, these headphones can be costly and usually require a headphone amplifier to drive them. Additionally, their open-back designs bleed sound and allow in ambient noise. If you're in the search for a pair planar headphones, it's best planar magnetic headphones to think about your preferences and habits of listening prior to making a purchase.

A good place to start is to determine whether you'll use headphones for casual listening or audiophile-grade audio. You should also think about your personal preferences and whether you prefer a closed-back or open-back design.

Historically, planar magnetic headphones had an advantage over dynamic drivers in the bass department, as they could reproduce frequencies as low as to 20hz whereas dynamic driver headphones would cut off around 50hz. This advantage has diminished over the years as manufacturers have redesigned the diaphragms of their headphones and made the rest lighter.

This is why many budget planar magnetic headphones stray from the bass's deepest rumble and concentrate on clarity in the mids and highs. This means you may not have as much rumble or impact from these headphones, which could be a problem for certain listeners.

One exception is the HiFiMAN Venus headphones which are closed-back and use a single-sided diaphragm. They don't have the same bass, but still deliver deep sub-bass tones with a lively sound.

In the end, the type of headphone that you choose will be based on your music preferences and budget. If you're planning on listening to music on your laptop at home and want to listen to music with an open-back pair of headphones is likely to be ideal for you, while a closed-back pair is suitable for use in the field. If you're planning to use your headphones for gaming purposes the open-back version of the Audeze LCD-2 Classics may be better than a model with a closed-back design, such as the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. These headphones are great for those who love music and want to experience the full range of sound and have exceptional clarity.

Bass response

Planar magnetic headphones employ a different technique to create sound that is not typical for dynamic driver in-ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet pushing the diaphragm, these headphones use two magnetic fields sandwiched between an electric film. This results in a more wide, more natural sound wavefront with less distortion. This results in a faster response time as well as a larger frequency range than conventional dynamic drivers.

The differences in bass response are evident. High-end dynamic headphones can go beyond 20hz, however the majority of planar headphones are able to go deeper and have less distortion. For audiophiles, this can make a an enormous difference and offers the best in-ear monitoring experience possible.

Imaging is another method that planar headphones can enhance sound quality. Dynamic drivers only vibrate by the diaphragm connected to the voice coil which can cause small distortions that change the intended audio reproduction. Planar drivers however, can produce an expansive soundstage since their entire diaphragm vibrates whenever an audio signal is received. This allows the headphones to precisely reproduce the stereo balance, and transparency of instruments in the way meant by the audio producer.

Open-back planars such as the HIFIMAN Anaanda and Monoprice M1070 don't block out sound. Anyone around you will be hearing your music. However this is a minor cost in comparison to the amazing clarity and detail you'll get to enjoy.

Planar headphones leak more than open-back ones due to the fact that they have two magnetic fields that are at odds. This could be problematic for people who want to listen in a quiet space, or are worried about causing disturbance to other people. If you're worried about leakage, you can address the problem by using ear pads which wrap around your ears to provide more isolation.

Sensitivity

Planar headphones are distinct from traditional dynamic drivers, that have a speaker dome or cone behind which the voice coil is moving. They have thin membranes which are printed with conductors. The membranes are hung on magnetic arrays, which allow them to manipulate them at lightning speed. This allows them to provide high-frequency response that many moving-coil headphones struggle with, and an unbeatable bass that's clear and deep down to the lowest frequencies.

The cheapest headphones with planar magnetic earbuds may excel at low-frequency listening, but they often lack the acoustic precision that would make them perfect for mixing or hifi listening. The flatness of the diaphragms make it impossible to drive them in a way that is symmetrical as a headphone with a moving coil. In order to get great treble performance from the planars, it's often necessary to spend more than $500.

Boutique audio brands, however they tend to have 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 provide a more immersive listening experience. They feature a sensitivity of 90dB and 35ohm impedance, which can be used with most consumer audio devices. They are available in a range of exotic woods, composites, and other materials to make them look as good as they sound.

Higher-end models like the HiFiMAN HE-560s can be 30% lighter than their counterparts due to an exclusive magnet structure and a slew of other innovative design choices. This includes a patent-pending design that reduces wave diffraction, which means they can be driven more efficiently and produce less distortion than traditional double-sided designs.

The HE-560s cost more because of the same innovations. If you're willing to pay more, you can enjoy a full range musical emotions. From the low-frequency rumbles of thunderstorms to the glistening of the cymbals that you hear in your favorite track. The quality of sound produced by a high-quality set of planars is simply amazing and can completely change your music. It is crucial to choose the right model according to your budget and preferences.

Comfort

If you love listening to music, upgrading to a pair of premium headphones can significantly improve your audio experience. The best magnetic planar headphones planar magnet headphones offer a level of clarity and detail you can't find in cheaper headphones. Pick an over-ear model like the HiFiMan Sundara or a portable in-ear model like CCA PLA 13 to breathe new life into your favourite songs.

However, planar headphones can be heavy due to their large ear cups and often require an amplifier for the headphone separately. Fortunately, a lot of boutique headphone manufacturers have developed their headphones around these issues to deliver exceptional audio quality in a light package. The OPPO PM-3, for instance is a light closed-back magnetic headphone that folds flat and comes with a selvedge denim carrying case, making it simple to take with you on the go.

A lot of planar magnetic headphones are bulky and uncomfortable to wear for long periods due to their large earcups. Many models have plenty of padding and a precisely calibrated clamping pressure to ensure a comfortable fit. The OPPO PM-3 does not disappoint with ultra-soft earpads and suspension bands that evenly disperse the weight evenly across the head.

Planar magnetic driver systems, unlike dynamic drivers, use large flexible diaphragms for mid-range and bass sounds. This lets them move larger amounts of air than their more stiff counterparts without suffering the huge excursions that damage and cause warping to traditional dynamic drivers. This gives them a smooth, wide frequency response that is accompanied by impressive bass depth and clarity.

Another benefit of planar magnetic headphones is that they have lower distortion and greater efficiency than the majority of dynamic headphones. This makes them ideal for listening at loud volumes without sacrificing comfort or clarity. Some planar headphones require an external headphone amplifier however, most are designed to work with any audio source.

Personal preferences and budget constraints will ultimately determine whether these headphones with magnetic in-ears are worth the investment. The best headphones for planar are able to reproduce amazing levels of bass and detail without ever tipping into distortion, but they can be costly and require more power to drive. In addition, they often have open-back designs that let in sound and allow ambient sound.