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15 Shocking Facts About Planar Magnetic Headphone You've Never Known
Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones create uniform soundwaves using a thin, flat membrane suspended between two magnets. This results in a wider soundstage, more clarity and a distinctive sound signature.

Audiophiles might find them to be more expensive and difficult to drive, but the cost is worth it. You can buy a pair for less than $400, like the budget-friendly Hifiman headphones HE-400i and Monoprice Monolith M1070.


Soundstage

With their massive drivers they can create extremely wide soundstages. These expansive soundscapes allow you to hear a more detailed sound and create a more immersive listening experience. You'll be able more precisely pinpoint the location of each instrument and voice in the mix, making them an excellent option for mixing or studio use.

In addition to their impressive soundstage, planar magnetic headphones are also renowned for their incredible bass performance. Their massive drivers can move a great deal of air, which gives them the ability to reproduce full and deep bass notes with incredible precision and clarity. This is a major improvement from the tinny, muddy bass you get with the majority of dynamic driver headphones.

The headphones of the planar magnetic type are unique in that they utilize a flat diaphragm sandwiched with a conductive pattern in between two magnetic arrays. When an electrical current flows through the conductive trace it creates a magnetic force that causes the diaphragm to move and produce audio waves. The magnetic field regulates the movement of the diaphragm and is evenly distributed across the entire surface. This produces an isodynamic field which ensures that the diaphragm's motion is constant throughout the entire frequency range.

The distortion produced by dynamic drivers is caused by the voice coil moving between and out of contact with the diaphragm. Planar magnetic headphones have significantly less distortion than their dynamic counterparts. This means that you'll be able hear the music exactly how the artist intended, even at high volumes.

Planar magnetic headphones leak more than dynamic models with open backs. This is because the large diaphragms used in these headphones move a large deal of air, and some of it escapes from the open back of the headphone. If you're listening in a quiet area this should not be a problem.

Choosing between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones is based on your personal preferences for listening and budget. If you are looking for accuracy, detail and low distortion, then a pair of planar magnetic headphones are the right choice for you.

Detail

In recent years, audiophiles have been more interested in planar magnetic headphones. They are renowned for their wide sound signature and use flat diaphragms which move at a rapid pace to create deep bass and superior high frequencies. Unlike dynamic drivers that have stiff, rigid driver voice coils the conductor trace of planar magnetic headphone drivers is fixed to the flat diaphragm's surface, and it responds to the magnetic field generated by two opposing magnets. This allows them to reproduce frequencies with greater amplitudes than other headphones, and without distortion in the driver or damage to the diaphragm during high volume.

This results in the diaphragm's flat shape creating a larger, more planar sound wavefront instead of the more narrow spherical waves like dynamic drivers (although some of the latest, high-end dynamic driver headphones like Focal Utopia are able to extend into 20 Hz). The broader, more expansive soundstage of planar headphones gives them an especially impressive ability to show the details in recordings. This is particularly evident when it comes to instruments. The precision and detail of headphones with planar magnetic technology allows you to hear each string, woodwind, and piano note as designed by the composer.

A good pair of headphones can also reproduce the sounds of your surroundings. Some headphones let sound leak through the back of the earcup in accordance with whether they're open-back or closed-back. In many instances this isn't a problem, but in some it can cause disruption to those around while you're listening. In this instance, you should look for headphones that are leak-proof or have an optional grille to use in public spaces.

It's crucial to choose a headphone that suits your lifestyle and listening preferences. With a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices, there's bound to be a pair of magnetic planar headphones that can give you the best music experience for you!

Comfort

A planar magnet ic headphone utilizes thin diaphragms engraved with conductors strung across a variety of magnets that manipulate sound waves in ways that traditional dynamic headphones can't. The wider wavefront produces more natural and immersive sounds with impressive detail speed, precision, and speed. They are hefty and require an amp that is specifically designed to achieve their full potential.

In recent years, a variety of specialized HiFi audio brands have brought this older technology back. This lets listeners enjoy new levels of audio quality. They may not appear as sleek as the more modern models but they are known for their deep bass, intimate sound and excellent stage depth.

They are comfortable and comfortable to wear despite their size and distinctive design. The earcups can be sealed in your ears and keep out ambient noise, allowing you to focus on your music, however they don't cling to the neck and head like certain over-ear models can. The lightweight design and comfortable earpads can be a major draw for some listeners.

Another drawback to planar magnetic headphones is that they are generally high cost. There are budget-friendly headphones, however, many models require a dedicated amplifier/DAC to get the most out of them. This is due to the fact that they are more complicated than their dynamic counterparts and usually require a lot of power to move the two magnets around.

Some headphones with planar designs are affordable (such as HIFIMAN's Deva and AUdeze's Venus) However, the majority of them are high-end models, with some of them costing over $400. It's a huge expense, especially in the case of listening to music on the go or spend a lot of your time gaming however, for those who want to hear music at its most crystal clear and realism, they provide an incredible listening experience.

Despite their excellent sound quality however, the main drawback of most planar headphones is their leakage. The bi-directional movement of the dual magnets can cause the sound to be pushed outward which could disturb people sitting near you or let in outside noises. Certain models are more prone to this than others. However, it's a concern to most listeners who would like to listen in a peaceful setting.

Noise isolation

A pair of headphones should be able isolate your ears from their surrounding environment to be called "headphones". A good planar magnetic headphones will use ergonomic design and the best materials to prevent noise from escaping your ears. This will lessen the sound that you hear and offer a more immersive experience.

In general they are heavier and more bulky than dynamic headphones. This is due to the fact that the driver requires a larger surface area to produce sound and requires a larger earcup. The most exclusive HiFi audio brands prefer to design earcups using exotic woods and composites.

Planar magnetic headphones work by controlling electrical current through an electrified layer that is sandwiched between two magnets. The magnetic field that is present on either side of the film causes the diaphragm to move and generates sound waves. The diaphragm vibrates as all of it, not only the small portion attached to the voice coil. This means they are less likely to be damaged at high volumes.

However, a lot of newer headphones with planar magnetics are a little weak in bass and don't have the same amount of punch or slam as you can get from a high-end pair of dynamic drivers. It's all about balancing the demands and the comparison of different headphones.

Therefore, it's best to take your time looking for a pair of planar magnetic headphones and read the reviews carefully from audio websites that are professional as well as users on the r/headphones subreddit. You'll be able to ensure that the headphones you pick will satisfy your audio and music requirements. After that it's a matter of finding the right price-to-performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 headphones are a good example of this, as they offer incredible sound quality with a sleek and stealthy design and comfortable cushions that can compete with headphones that cost more than the M1060.

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