Notes

15 Reasons Not To Ignore Planar Magnetic
How a Planar Magnetic Diaphragm Headphone Driver Works

Typically, dynamic drivers comprise a voice coil attached to the center of a conical diaphragm. When electrical signal passes through the voice coil it causes the diaphragm to move.

The force is applied to a small part of the diaphragm, and it's hard to move different points simultaneously. This leads to breakup modes that can cause distortion.

Audio with a Detailed Sound

Many audiophiles want to hear a detailed sound through their headphones. This can be accomplished with a planar diaphragm. This type of headphone driver works similarly to cone drivers that are dynamic however, with more advanced technology behind it.

A planar diaphragm features an elongated structure that is built into the headphone's frame and made out of a lightweight, thin film-like material. It's designed to be as homogeneous as it can be, and its flat surface permits an uniform distribution of pressure across the whole surface which enhances the clarity of sound.

A flat planar magnetic diaphragm's design allows for a better soundstage. A more focused wavefront can result in better sound staging, which can help you identify the exact location of an vocal or instrument on the track. This is a major benefit over the more spherical waves typically of dynamic drivers.

In contrast to traditional dynamic drivers, which use a voice coil that's located close to the center of a plastic or paper cone, a planar diaphragm uses magnets placed on both sides of its flat face. The electrical current flowing through the voice coil interacts with these magnets to cause the diaphragm to vibrate and produce sound. Since the entire diaphragm is driven simultaneously, there are no breakup modes, mechanical filtering transmission delay or local resonances that can negatively impact sound quality.

A diaphragm that is smooth and uniform can also accelerate more quickly than a thicker, heavier one used in dynamic drivers. According to the laws of physics force is proportional to mass and acceleration. This means that the greater the speed at which a driver's diaphragm is moved and the greater power they can exert. This gives planar magnetic drivers more accurate bass response and better detail retrieval.

The advantages of a planar magnetic driver are not without cost. They're more expensive than dynamic drivers due to the fact that they have a large diaphragm and a complicated motor. They also require a larger amplifier to function properly. However, a lot of planar magnetic headphone manufacturers can make use of their technology to create high-quality headphones at a reasonable price. Examples include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara.

High Sensitivity

The planar driver differs from the moving coil drivers found in the majority of headphones and IEMs in that it utilizes a flat diaphragm, instead of a dome or cone-shaped membrane. When an electrical signal travels through it, it interacts with magnets on both sides of the diaphragm. This produces sound waves by bouncing the diaphragm. The flatness of the diaphragm enables it to react very quickly to sound and can produce many different frequencies, ranging from bass to highs.

A key benefit of a planar magnetic design is that it's more sensitive than other types of headphone drivers, which utilizes a diaphragm that is that is up to a few times more powerful than a typical headphone. This allows you to listen to all the details of your music.

Planar magnetic drivers also provide a very consistent driving force throughout the diaphragm. This eliminates breakup, and creates a smooth, distortion-free sound. This is particularly important for high-frequency sounds, where the sound can be distorted and distracting. This is achieved in the FT5 by using polyimide, a material that is both ultralight and durable, as well as a sophisticated design of conductors that eliminates intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

OPPO's planar magnetic drivers also have better phase coherence, meaning that when a wavefront hits the ear canal, it's an unaltered, flat shape. Dynamic drivers however, have a spherical wavefront, which disrupts this coherence and causes less-than-perfect signal peak reconstructions particularly in high frequencies. OPPO headphones sound very real and natural.

Wide Frequency Response

Planar magnetic diaphragms have the ability to reproduce sounds at higher frequencies than traditional dynamic drivers. This is due to their diaphragms are thin and light. is very precise in its movement. They are able to deliver a high-quality transient response. This makes them a perfect choice for audiophiles looking for headphones and speakers that reproduce the most exquisite details of music.

The flat design gives them a more uniform soundstage than headphones that utilize a dynamic driver coiled. They are also less susceptible to leakage - the sound that escapes from the headphone cups into the surrounding environment. In certain situations, this could be a problem since it can distract the listener and cause them lose focus while listening to music. In other instances however, it can be beneficial since it lets listeners enjoy their music in public areas without having to worry about disturbing others close by.


Instead of using an underlying diaphragm that's shaped like cones, planar magnetic headsets have an array printed on a thin layer of the diaphragm itself. This conductor is suspended between two magnets. When best planar magnetic headphones is applied to it, it becomes electromagnetic and causes the magnetic forces on each side of the diaphragm to interact with one another. This is what makes the diaphragm vibrate, creating an audio wave.

The smooth movement of the diaphragm, which is lightweight, and the fact that the force is evenly distributed over its surface this means that distortion is incredibly low. This is a major improvement over traditional dynamic drivers that have been known to cause distortion at high listening levels.

Certain high-end headphones employ the old-fashioned moving coil design. However, most HiFi audiophiles are embracing this long-forgotten technology to create a new generation of planar magnetic headphones that produce a stunning sound. Some of these headphones are extremely expensive and require a premium amplifier to power them however, for those with the money, they provide an incredible experience that is unlike any other headphone. They deliver a deep and clear sound without the distortion you get with other types of headphones.

Minimal Inertia

Due to their construction, planar diaphragms can move faster and are lighter than traditional drivers. They are able to reproduce audio signals with greater precision and can be tuned to a larger range. They also give a natural sound with less distortion than traditional loudspeakers.

The two rows of a planar magnet driver create the same and uniform force across the entire diaphragm surface. This will eliminate any unnecessary and unwanted distortion. Because the force on the diaphragm's lightweight is evenly distributed and evenly, it can be controlled more precisely. This permits the diaphragm to move with a precise pistonic movement.

Planar magnetic drivers are capable of achieving very high levels of performance while carrying a minimal weight, making them ideal for portable headphones. In addition, they can be designed to offer a wide range of frequencies, from deep bass to high-frequency sounds. Audio professionals love them due to their wide frequency response and precise sound.

Planar magnetic drivers differ from dynamic drivers which use coils to push the diaphragm. They don't have any mechanical parts which can cause distortion. This is because the flat array is placed directly on the diaphragm's surface instead of in a coil behind.

A planar magnetic driver however, can drive a thin and lightweight diaphragm with an extremely powerful magnetic force with no energy loss. The diaphragm is thin, light membrane is driven by an electric field that creates a constant pressure. This stops it from deforming or creating distortion.

The moment of inertia is a crucial property that defines the object's resistance to rotation. It can be calculated from the formula I = mr2. An object's shape affects its minimum moment of inertia with longer and thinner objects with lower moments of inertia than bigger and more robust ones.

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