Notes

Here's An Interesting Fact Concerning How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work
How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic headphones are less dispersed than dynamic drivers. This is due to the fact that the whole diaphragm vibrates rather than just the portion that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a bigger soundstage, which is better separated and differentiate capabilities. They do leak more and require isolation to stop the sound from affecting those who are around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial function in nearly all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that move air to produce sound. In headphones, it's a flat piece of diaphragm suspended between two magnets that create an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In a planar headphone, the electric current generated by the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm via a coil. The coil creates an electric field that causes the diaphragm's to vibrate.

The sound is transmitted to your ear through the diaphragm's suspension. It is usually made of an artificial material, such as titanium or neodymium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequencies. Contrary to dynamic drivers which are a lot more powerful, planar magnetic headphones provide very high SPLs without sounding blurred or muddy.

In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs as well, planar magnetic headphones provide a better soundstage. The reason is that the diaphragm's flat shape creates the sound wavefront in a planar manner, instead of the focused spherical wavefronts that are found in the majority of dynamic drivers. In turn, the headphones produce an enveloping soundstage that is easier to localize.

Another benefit of planar magnetic headphones is their exceptional transient response. This is due to the capability of headphones with planar magnetics to reproduce peaks that last only a few seconds, like cymbal smacks and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is large and is evenly distributed across the surface, so there is no distortion when peak levels are reached.

However, the planar magnetic headphones do have some disadvantages that should be considered when choosing a set. One of the primary reasons why they cost more is that they tend to be much larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. The main reason for this is the complexity of the driver and the reputation of the brand.

Fortunately, there are fantastic, low-cost planar magnetic headphones that can be purchased for under $100. In addition to their outstanding performance, these headphones come in open-back and closed-back designs and you can pick which one suits your preferences for listening. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the best headphones on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and detail across all frequencies. This is due in large part to the flat, thin diaphragm that is sandwiched between the arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal from y our source of audio is transmitted to the vocal coil, the conductive materials windings in the vocal coil react with the magnet field, and cause the dialyms to vibrate. This creates sound waves.

The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration occurs at the same rate and is consistent regardless of the position of the diaphragm within the magnetic field. This results in an even and consistent sound with less distortion. It is also easier for the ear. Contrary to this dynamic drivers tend to produce more of a spherical soundwavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.

Planar magnetic drivers because of the way they work require a more powerful amplification system. They also tend to be larger and heavier because they must accommodate an extra large, flexible diaphragm. They require an external amplifier or DAC to drive them.


Planar magnetic drivers are more expensive due to the fact that they are typically made of high-quality materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have begun to revive this older technology in recent years. We're seeing a range of new headphones featuring planar magnet drivers, which provide an excellent listening experience.

The decision between planar and dynamic headphones is a matter of personal preference and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their accuracy and detail, and have a slightly larger soundstage than dynamic models. Dynamic headphones are more expensive but they offer a more powerful bass and a warmer sound quality.

The headphones that are made for dynamic drivers tend to have more heft and slam. However, this difference is not always noticeable by most listeners. They also offer better imaging and separating. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule, and some of the best headphones that are planar-magnetic can be found at a reasonable price.

The magnets

In a typical headphone with a dynamic driver the electrical impulses generated by your audio source travel through a conductory material which interacts with the magnetic fields inside the driver. These are then used to alter the flat diaphragm and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones however, use a thin film of conductive material sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They are more difficult to make and are the reason they're more expensive.

They also tend to be heavier and larger due to their design which means they require more space around the drivers. They also use more power than their dynamic counterparts and will require an amplifier for the headphones to fully utilize their potential. Although this isn't a constant problem, it's something to be aware of when looking at these headphones.

It's not the case with all headphones but many of the best planar-magnet headphones have an airier, more open sound. This creates the impression of space, which can be very appealing to some listeners. They also provide a wider soundstage, which is helpful when listening to music together with others.

A number of boutique headphone brands such as HiFiMAN and Audeze employ the open-back design. While they're not as common as closed-back models, they're an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example is a fantastic way to experience the speed, accuracy and clarity of these headphones.

The housing

If you're an audiophile or simply someone who loves good music, chances are you've heard of magnetic headphones that planar. These headphones have a unique look, with flat diaphragms that are embedded into the headphone. They are available in open-back and over-ear models. In addition to the unique design, these headphones also employ different working principles as compared to dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to traditional moving coil drivers that rely on a voice coil to create sound waves, employ array of magnets to move the diaphragm to produce sound. Depending on the configuration, these arrays may be situated on both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnets at either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to push and pull. This creates sound waves that represent the audio signal.

This is why planar magnetic headphones typically sound more resonant and have better bass extension capabilities. The diaphragm is large and flat. reacts much quicker to changes in the input signal, which means they can respond faster to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This creates a cleaner, more regulated sound that many audiophiles appreciate.

Although these headphones might be capable of reproducing higher frequencies, they don't have the punch or slam of modern high-end dynamic driver headphones. They can be difficult to listen for those who prefer to listen to hard or metal rock music.

Due to their unique design, planar magnetic headphones are more expensive than other types of headphone. They also require a specific amplifier and digital audio converters to supply the drivers with power. Some people may feel that the price of these headphones is higher, but they think that it's worth it. There are other kinds of headphones that are available to those who don't wish to spend too much.

Website: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/planar-magnetic-headphones