You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out This How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work's Tricks How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

As compared to dynamic drivers, magnetic headphones with planar design have less distortion. This is because they vibrate the entire diaphragm, not just the part that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a more spacious soundstage, with better separation of instruments and differentiation capabilities. They do leak more and require isolation to avoid disrupting the people around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial element in nearly every audio transducer (headphones, loudspeakers and microphones included) that moves air to produce sound waves. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets, and generates an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In a planar magnetic headphone the electric current from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm by a coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm to move.

The sound produced is transferred to your ear via the diaphragm's suspension. It is typically made from an artificial material, such as neodymium or titanium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to deliver high SPLs, without sounding distorted.

Planar magnetic headphones aren't only able to reproduce high SPLs but also offer the best soundstage. The reason for this is because the diaphragm's flat shape creates a planar sound wavefront, instead of the spherical focused wavefronts that are found in the majority of dynamic drivers. As a result, the headphones deliver an unnatural soundstage that's more easily to locate.

Transient response is another benefit of using planar magnet headphones. This is due to the ability of headphones with planar magnetics to reproduce short-lived peaks, such as cymbal hits and kick drum hits. The large size of the diaphragm and the fact that it's able to move in a uniform manner across its surface mean that there is no distortion at these peaks.

Planar magnetic headphones have some disadvantages you should take into account when selecting a set. One of the main reasons for their higher price is that they tend to be much larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. This is due to the design of their motors that can be complicated, as well as the history of the brand behind them.

Fortunately, there are fantastic, low-cost planar magnetic headphones that can be purchased at less than $100. In addition to their exceptional quality, these headphones are available in open-back and closed-back designs, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences best. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones on the market.

The voice coil


Planar magnetic headphones are well-known for their precision and accuracy, offering incredible clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. This is due to their flat, thin diaphragm which is sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal is transmitted from your audio source, the material that conducts it's windings inside the voice coil react with the magnetic field, causing the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and produce sound waves.

The benefit of a planar driver is that every vibration is evenly distributed and at the same speed regardless of the location where the diaphragm is placed within the magnetic field. This produces an even and consistent sound with less distortion. It's also more comfortable for the ear. Dynamic drivers, on the other hand, tend to produce sound waves that are less uniform and more round.

magnet planar to the way they operate, require a stronger amplification system. They are also more heavy and bulkier due to their larger flexible membrane. This means that they usually require an external amplifier and DAC to supply enough power to power them.

In addition that, planar magnetic drivers are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts since they're typically made from high-quality materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have started to revive this old technology in recent years. We're seeing a range of new headphones featuring planar magnet drivers, which provide an outstanding listening experience.

Like everything else in life, the choice between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones comes down to personal preference and budget. The headphones with a magnetic design have a slightly more spacious soundstage than dynamic models and are renowned for their incredible quality and precision. However, they're often more expensive, and many listeners prefer the punchy bass and warm sound signature of dynamic headphones.

In general dynamic driver headphones offer a bit more punch and slam than the planar magnetic ones However, the differences aren't often apparent to most listeners. They are also better at clarity and imaging. There are exceptions to the rule. Some excellent planar-magnetic headsets can be purchased at very affordable costs.

The magnets

In a typical headphone that has a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your source of audio travel through a coil of conductory material that interacts with the magnetic fields in the driver. These are used to bend the diaphragm flat and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones use an extremely thin layer of conductor material that is sandwiched between powerful magnets. This makes them a bit more difficult to manufacture which is one reason why they're generally more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.

They also tend to be heavier and bigger due to their design which requires more space around the drivers. They also require more power to achieve their full potential than their more dynamic counterparts. While this isn't always a issue, it's something you should be aware of when looking at these headphones.

It's not the case for all headphones but many of the best planar-magnet headphones have an open, airy sound. This creates an airy feel that can be very appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they provide is also a bit bigger which can be beneficial when listening to music with other people.

The open-back design is a popular option for a variety of boutique headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. Although they're not as well-known as closed-back models, they are an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example, is a great way to test the speed, accuracy and detail of these headphones.

The housing

If you're an avid audiophile or just someone who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of planar magnetic headphones. They sport a distinct look with a flat embedded diaphragm and are available in both open-back and over-ear headphones. In addition to their unique design, these headphones use different working principles compared to dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, as opposed to traditional moving coil drivers, which use a voice coil to generate sound waves, use an array magnets to move the diaphragm in order to create sound. Based on the configuration, these arrays may be located on both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields that interact with magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms pull and push against the magnetic fields. This results in sound waves which are the audio signal.

Due to this, the sound of headphones with planar magnetic design is typically more fuller and offer superior bass extension capabilities. The big, flat diaphragm reacts much quicker to changes in the input signal, which means they are able to respond quicker to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This results in an improved, precise audio quality that some audiophiles like.

However, while these headphones may be able to reproduce higher frequencies, they do not have the punch or slam of modern high-end dynamic driver headphones. This means that they may be a bit more difficult to listen to for those who are looking to to listen to metal or hard rock music.

Planar magnetic headphones are costly because of their distinctive design. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converters to supply the drivers with power. Some people might find that the cost of these headphones is higher, but they think they are worth the cost. Whatever the case, it's important remember that there are other headphone types available for those who don't want to spend more than they need to.