Why Is There All This Fuss About Best Planar Headphones?
The Best Planar Headphones
The best planar headphones pair top-tier audio quality with premium design. They also require no specialized amp to unlock their full potential and are highly mobile.
Planar magnetic headphones, as opposed to traditional dynamic drivers, utilize thin membranes engraved with conductors that are strung across arrays magnets that manipulate sound waves at astounding speeds. This creates an uncluttered and clear audio quality that is well suited to EQ adjustments.
Sundara Headphones by HiFiMAN
The Sundara is a pair of open-back headphones that have great sound quality and excellent sound reproduction. These headphones are made by HiFiMAN and utilize magnets with planar design to provide clear and crisp sound with a rapid transient response. The headphones come with the frequency range of 6Hz to 75kHz, and an impedance value of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for audiophiles who love listening to classical, jazz and other genres.
They have a great soundstage and incredible spatial imaging that completely immerses you in the music. The Sundara has an incredibly deep, rich bass response. It's not as strong as other headphones, but it packs a good amount of energy. It has a fantastic bass response that isn't too bright or too tinny.
The Sundara is a fantastic headphone for clarity. Its tonality is neutral and has a slight hint planar timbre. It also has excellent placement definition and good midrange detail. It lacks some low-end rumble. Equalization could help make up for this.
Compared to the HIFIMAN HE400se In comparison, the Sundara has better control of its dynamic range and is more accurate in its treble response. They also have a wider passive soundstage, which makes them a great option for listening at home.
planar vs electrostatic headphones is a premium looking style that features large ear cups, faux leather padding and a stylish look. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable, and come with a strong band that sits well on the head. They also come with an elongated cable that is easy to wrap around your neck. These headphones do not block out outside noise so they're not the best choice for commuters. These headphones require a lot of power to function, which is why they're not ideal for devices that are portable.
The HIFIMAN Sundara has a very neutral sound, however it's not the most comfortable headphones to wear for long durations of time. It's not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X but it has a flatter, less veiled the treble response. Its bass is much more powerful than the DT 900 but does not alter or overpower. The treble response is well-defined and smooth.
HIFIMAN H400SE
HiFiMAN is one of the top personal audio brands that take pride on bringing revolutionary technologies to the market. The company is known for their highly acclaimed and praised planar magnetic headphones, which feature state-of-the-art driver technology. The HE400SE is an upgrade to the well-loved HE400s that has caught the attention of audiophiles. This headphone features an improved Stealth Magnet design that is designed to minimize wave diffraction turbulence and ensure a clear sound output.
The HE400SE is a low-cost option that brings the same excellent sound quality that HiFiMAN is renowned for. It is lightweight, comfortable and provides a lot of passive sound insulation. The headband has been redesigned to provide an ergonomic shape and the cups are made of durable, lightweight materials. The earpads are soft and comfortable. The HE400SE is also equipped with a detachable cable that provides simple connectivity.
The HE400SE produces a wonderful bass response. The sub-bass is rumbled nicely and the low frequencies sound great. Percussion instruments like the drums have a snappy quality with a pleasing timbre. The HE400SE offers natural vocals with excellent midrange clarity. Male voices are clear, clear and not too thin or brittle.
The HE400SE is not without its limitations. Its imaging capabilities are somewhat restricted and its soundstage is not as spacious as some other competing headphones. For instance, its sister model, the HiFiMan Ananda, has better separation and layering of instruments and produces a more immersive sound.
The HE400SE represents a solid entry into the world of planar magnetic headphones. It is an excellent option for those on a budget. It's more expensive than some of its rivals, but it has a sound quality that other headphones in this price range can't match. Additionally the HE400SE is less than half the price of premium planars like the Audeze Clementine DLX or Monolith M570.
Sivga P-II
Sivga P-II is an open back planar headphone with a very elegant design, but also offers a good sound performance. It houses a large dual-sided magnetic diaphragm driver unit on each side and produces a powerful sound output with brilliant detail retrieval. It has a snarling low-end, natural voice that sound lifelike and a detailed smooth high-end section.
It took three years to develop this premium product that is the result of research, tuning and ingenuity. It uses natural solid walnut as a headphone holder and adheres to the traditional craftsmanship to ensure that every detail is meticulously designed.
With high-end materials and most advanced technology The P-II provides the highest possible audio quality. The soft earpads are made of protein-leather, and have a light clamping force. This makes it comfortable to listen for extended durations. The wood frame is sturdy and feels premium. It has a pleasant feel to it. The cable is made of 6N single-crystal copper, which is soft, tangle-resistant, and doesn't make any noise.
The SIVGA P-II has a wonderfully balanced upper midrange that is not dull or bright, and isn't susceptible to any issues like muddiness, or mixings. Female vocals sound incredibly natural and smooth. Pianos, for instance, have a a full-bodied tone and sweat, without being harsh.
This headphone is a great alternative for those seeking an affordable open-back headphone that offers excellent sound performance. The SIVGA P-II comes with an impressive impedance of 32ohm, and a sensitivity of 98dB, making it able to be operated by Portable Players with sufficient power like the FiiO M11 Pro or the iBasso DX220. It also has a very high dynamic range and has a rich, warm and vibrant sound.
The SIVGA has a large soundstage and a great bass response. The bass is strong and deep, as well as having a great extension. It has a deep and deep midrange, which is ideal for listening to classical music.
HiFiMAN Deva Pro
The Deva Pro is a new headphone by HiFiMAN that incorporates hi-end technology from the company to a lower-cost experience. It comes with a supernano diaphragm that's 20% thinner than other designs, allowing more responsive transients and superior audio quality. The headphones are very comfortable which is a major selling point for planars. They can be worn for long periods without feeling tired.
The earpads are made of soft, durable material that prevents sweat build-up during long listening sessions. The headband is also flexible and adjustable to fit your head shape. The soundstage of the Deva Pro is wide and detailed, with a pleasing flow. The mids are particularly impressive, since they offer excellent vocal projection and a relaxed and smooth tone. The bass is a little more tinier and less precise than other planars.
The Deva Pro is warmer and more natural than other HiFiMAN Planars. However, it lacks some analytical detail. The mids are its most striking feature, bringing all the voices and instruments into a large soundstage. The bass is powerful and full but it sometimes lacks the physical rumble that certain headphones offer.
The Deva Pro is good at handling bass however it could be more precise in its tuning. Overall, the Deva Pro sounds great and is a worthy rival to more expensive options.
HiFiMAN has simplified their look to all their products and the Deva Pro is no exception. The packaging is minimal and comes in the sleek black and silver color scheme. They come with a Bluemini R2R Adapter, which makes them an hybrid headphone.
The Deva Pro is the latest headphone from HiFiMAN's line to feature their "Stealth Magnet" design, which minimizes distortion by reducing turbulence caused by wave diffraction. The new design features rounded magnets positioned so that they don't interfere with sound waves. It's possible that it has a slight impact on the audio and users have said that it enhances the mid-range and high-frequency clarity.
