Notes

A Productive Rant About Planar Magnetic
Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones, also known as Isodynamic or Orthodynamic have earned a reputation among audiophiles for their incredible clarity and deep bass.

They also leak a lot outwards so they require a quiet listening area. They can disturb other people in the vicinity. They do, however, provide excellent sound quality at a affordable prices.

Closed or open back?

Planar magnetic headphones are a popular choice for audiophiles, and it's easy to understand why. The top models can provide stunning clarity and incredible clarity without sounding distorted. However, these headphones can be expensive and typically require a headphone amplifier to drive them. Additionally their open-back designs leak sound and allow in ambient noise. If you're looking for a pair of planar headphones, it's important to consider your preferences for listening and habits before making a choice.

Begin by deciding if you will use headphones for audiophile or for casual listening. You'll also need to think about your comfort needs and if you prefer an open-back or closed back design.

Historically, headphones with planar magnetics 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 kick off at around 50hz. This distinction has diminished in the past few years as manufacturers have improved the diaphragms on their headphones and made the rest lighter.

Many affordable planar magnetic headsets focus on clarity and highs and mids instead of the bass that is deep. These headphones might not have as much punch and rumble, which may be a problem to certain listeners.

HiFiMAN's planar vs dynamic are a standout. They feature a closed back design and a diaphragm that is only one-sided. This means they don't reach quite as low but still provide rich sub-bass and engaging texturing.

The kind of headphones you choose will ultimately depend on your preferences in listening as well as your 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 with a planar design will likely be ideal for you, while a closed-back pair can be used in the field. If you intend to use your headphones for gaming the open-back version of the Audeze LCD-2 Classics may be more suitable than one that has a closed-back design such as the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. These headphones are ideal for those who love music and want to experience the entire spectrum of sound and have exceptional clarity.

Response to bass

Planar magnetic headphones use an entirely different method of producing sound than traditional dynamic driver in-ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet that pushes the diaphragm to create audio, these headphones have two opposing magnetic fields sandwiched around an electrified film. This results in an audio that is more natural and has less distortion. This results in a faster response time and a wider frequency range than traditional dynamic drivers.

The difference is apparent in the bass response. While high-end dynamic driver headphones can extend to 20hz and beyond, most planar headphones can be used with less distortion and better clarity. For audiophiles, this makes a dramatic difference and offers the most immersive in-ear listening experience you can get.


Another way in which headphones with a planar design can enhance the sound quality is through imaging. Dynamic drivers are only able to vibrate the portion of the diaphragm that is attached to the voice coil which can cause small distortions that alter the audio reproduction. Planar drivers on the other hand, can produce a more expansive soundstage as their entire diaphragm vibrates whenever an audio signal is received. This lets the headphones accurately reproduce the position, stereo balance, and the transparency of instruments exactly as intended by the audio producer.

Open-back planars like the HIFIMAN Anaanda and Monoprice Monolith M1070 do not create a sound barrier. Anyone in your vicinity will be hearing your music. However, this is a small trade-off for the amazing detail and clarity you'll enjoy.

Planar headphones are more leaky than open-back dynamic ones due to the fact that they have two magnetic fields that are in opposition. This can be a big issue for people who want to listen to music in quiet environments or are worried about causing disturbance to others surrounding them. If you're concerned about leakage, you can address the problem by using earpads that wrap around your ears to provide more isolation.

Sensitivity

Contrary to traditional dynamic drivers which have a speaker cone or dome that the voice coil vibrates planar headphones have incredibly thin membranes infused with conductors, and connected to magnetic arrays that manipulate them at a lightning-fast speed. They can provide a high-frequency response, which is not possible to achieve with most headphones that use moving coils. They also have a crisp and deep bass, even down to the lowest frequency.

They are a great choice for low frequencies, the cheapest over-ear magnetic headphones are usually lacking in acoustic precision that would make them ideal for mixing or high-fidelity listening. This is because the diaphragms' flatness means they can't be operated in a symmetrical way like a moving-coil headphone. In order to get great sounding treble from a pair of planars typically, you need to spend more than $500.

The boutique audio brands, however, tend to offer a wide variety of models that are affordable and sound excellent. Meze Elite is a pair closed-back headphones that feature a single-sided magnet array that offers a full-bodied listening experience. They feature a 90dB sensitivity and a resistance of 35ohms which will be compatible with the majority of consumer-grade devices. They are available in a variety of exotic woods, composites and other materials to make them look as good as they sound.

More expensive models such as the HiFiMAN's HE-560s are up to 30 percent lighter than their competitors, thanks to a unique magnet structure as well as a host of other innovative design options. This includes a patent-pending shape that minimizes wave diffraction, which means they are able to be driven more efficiently and produce less distortion than conventional double-sided designs.

The HE-560s are more expensive due to the use of the same innovations. If you're willing more, you'll be able to enjoy the full spectrum of musical sensations. From the low-frequency rumbles that accompany an erupting storm to the glistening of the cymbals on your favorite song. A good set of planars can change your music with their outstanding sound. But it's important to choose the right model to meet your requirements and budget.

Comfort

Upgrade to a pair premium headphones if your favorite is listening to music. The best planar magnetic headphones offer a level of detail and clarity that you can't get in lower-end headphones. Whether you choose an over-ear model, such as the HiFiMan Sundara or a portable in-ear model such as the CCA PLA 13, these headphones will breathe new life into your favourite songs.

However, planar magnetic headphones can also be heavy due to their large ear cups and often require a separate headphone amplifier. Luckily, many of the boutique headphone brands have designed their headphones around these issues to provide exceptional audio quality in a light package. The OPPO PM-3, for example is a light closed-back planar magnetic headphone that can be folded flat and comes with a selvedge-denim carrying case, making it easy to take with you on the go.

Many of the planar magnetic headphones are heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods because of their larger earcups. The majority of models come with ample padding, and are calibrated to the perfect clamping pressure to ensure a snug fit. The OPPO PM-3 is no exception, with ultra-soft ear pads and suspension bands that evenly distribute weight across the head and ear.

Planar magnetic driver systems, unlike dynamic drivers, use large flexible diaphragms for mid-range and bass sound. They can move much greater volumes of air than their more stiff counterparts without suffering the huge excursions that could damage or cause warping to traditional dynamic drivers. This leads to a smooth and wide frequency response and an impressive bass depth.

Planar magnetic headphones are more efficient and have less distortion than other dynamic headphones. They are ideal for listening to music at high volume without sacrificing comfort and detail. Certain planar headphones require an external headphone amplifier, however, most are designed to work with any audio source.

The final decision on whether or not the planar magnetic in-ear headphones are worth it depends on your personal preferences and budgetary limitations. The best headphones for planar can reproduce incredible levels of bass and clarity without ever tipping into distortion, however they are expensive and require more power to drive. They are also typically open-back designs that can let in ambient noise and bleeding noise.

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