10 Startups That'll Change The Planar Magnetic Industry For The Better Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones, also referred to as Isodynamic or orthodynamic have earned themselves a name among audiophiles for their incredible clarity and deep bass.

They also leak some of the sound into the surrounding area, so they require a closed listening environment and may disturb those around you. However, they do provide exceptional sound at a reasonable cost.

Closed or open-back?

It's not hard to understand why audiophiles are awestruck by planar magnetic headphones. The best models are able to deliver incredible detail and presence without sounding like they're being distorted. These headphones are expensive and require a headphone amplifier to drive them. In addition, their open-back designs bleed sound and let in the surrounding noise. So if you're in the market for a pair of headphones that are planar, you'll need to carefully consider your listening habits and preferences prior to making a purchase.

Begin by deciding if you'll be using your headphones for audiophile audio or for casual listening. You'll also want to consider your comfort level and whether you prefer a closed-back or open-back design.

Planar magnetic headphones have always had an advantage in the area of bass over dynamic driver headphones, since they can reproduce frequencies down to around 20hz, while dynamic driver headphones roll off at about 50hz. This advantage has diminished in the past few years as manufacturers have improved the diaphragms of their headsets and made them lighter.

A majority of the budget-friendly planar magnetic headphones focus on clarity and highs and mids, not the bass that is deep. This means that you might not receive as much rumble and punch from these headphones, which may be a challenge for some listeners.

One exception is the HiFiMAN Venus over-ear headphones which are closed-back and use a single-sided diaphragm. They don't have the same bass yet, but they still offer deep sub-bass tones with a lively texture.

Ultimately, the type of headphone you pick will depend on your preferences for listening and your budget. If you're listening to music on your laptop at home, an open-back pair of planar headphones will probably be best, while a closed-back option will be suitable for use in the field. Likewise, if you'll be using headphones for gaming an open-back model such as the Audeze LCD-2 Classics might be superior to a closed-back model like the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. These headphones are great for those who love music and want to experience the entire spectrum of sound and get exceptional detail.

Response to bass

Planar magnetic headphones use a different technique to create sound than traditional dynamic driver in-ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet which moves the diaphragm and creates audio, these headphones comprise two magnetic fields that are sandwiched around an electrified film. This results in a more natural sound with less distortion. linked here enables a faster response time and a wider frequency range than traditional dynamic drivers.

The differences in bass response are noticeable. High-end dynamic headphones can go beyond 20hz, however the majority of planar headphones are capable of going further and have less distortion. For audiophiles this is a huge difference and gives you the most immersive in-ear listening experience you can get.

Another way in which planar headphones can improve the audio quality is through imaging. Dynamic drivers vibrate only the diaphragm portion that is attached to the voice coil. This may cause minor distortions that alter the audio reproduction. In contrast, planar drivers are able to produce more of a soundstage because the entire diaphragm is vibrating in response to the audio signal. This allows the headphones to accurately reproduce the position, stereo balance, and the transparency of instruments in the way intended by the audio producer.

Open-back planars such as the HIFIMAN Anaanda and Monoprice Monolith M1070 don't isolate sound. Everyone in your area will be capable of hearing your music. However it's a small sacrifice for the incredible detail and clarity you'll get to enjoy.

Due to their two magnetic fields that are opposite the planar headphones leak a little more than traditional open-back dynamic headphones. This could be problematic for people who wish to listen to in a quiet space, or are worried about causing disturbance to other people. If you are concerned about leakage, there are a few options available to mitigate this issue, for instance the ear pads that wrap around the ears to provide additional isolation.

Sensitivity

Planar headphones are different from traditional dynamic drivers, with cones or a speaker dome behind which the voice coil is vibrating. They have thin membranes that are coated with conductors. These membranes are strung on magnetic arrays that allow you to manipulate them at lightning speeds. They can deliver a high-frequency response, which is a challenge to achieve with most headphones that use moving coils. They also have a clear and deep bass down to the lowest frequency.

But while they excel at low frequencies, the most affordable over-ear magnetic headphones are usually lacking in acoustic accuracy that could make them perfect for mixing or hi-fi listening. The flatness of the diaphragms makes it difficult to drive them in a symmetrical manner as a headphone with a moving coil. In order to get great high-quality treble output from a pair of planars typically, you need to spend more than $500.


However, boutique audio brands they tend to have a wide variety of models that are affordable and excellent sounding. One example is the Meze Elite, a pair of closed-back headphones that utilize a one-sided magnetic arrays to provide a more immersive listening experience. They have a 90dB sensitivty and a resistance of 35ohms, which should work with most consumer devices. They are available in a range of exotic woods, composites and other materials that make them look as good as they sound.

The HiFiMAN HE-560s for instance, are up to 30 percent lighter than their counterparts due to a unique magnetic structure and a variety of other innovative design choices. This includes a patent-pending shape that reduces wave diffraction, meaning they can be driven more efficiently while causing less distortion than conventional double-sided designs.

The HE-560s are more expensive due to the use of many of the same innovations. However, if you're willing to shell out a bit more, you can experience a full range of musical experiences from the low-frequency rumble of thunder storm to the shimmering the cymbals of your most-loved track. A set of quality planars can alter your music with their outstanding sound. However, it is essential to choose the right model to meet your needs and budget.

Comfort

If you enjoy listening to music and want to upgrade to a pair of premium headphones can greatly improve your audio experience. The best planar magnet headphones offer a level of detail and clarity you won't get from cheap headphones. Whether you choose an over-ear model like the HiFiMan Sundara or an in-ear model that is portable like the CCA PLA 13, these headphones can bring new life to your favorite songs.

However, planar magnetic headphones can also be heavy due to their larger ear cups. They also often require an amplifier for the headphone separately. Luckily, many of the boutique headphone manufacturers have designed their headphones around these issues to deliver incredible audio quality in a light package. The OPPO pm-3, for instance is a compact closed-back, planar magnet headphone that comes with a selvedge jean carrying case.

Due to their large earcups, many planar magnetic headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear for long durations of time. However, most models offer ample padding and carefully calibrated clamping force to ensure a comfortable 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 make use of large diaphragms with flexible diaphragms to produce bass and mid-range sounds. They can move much larger volumes of air than their more rigid counterparts without suffering the huge excursions that damage and cause warping to traditional dynamic drivers. This results in an extremely smooth and broad frequency response and impressive bass depth.

Planar magnetic headphones are more efficient and have less distortion than other dynamic headphones. This makes them ideal for listening to music at high volume without sacrificing comfort or clarity. Some planar headphones require an external headphone amplifier, but most are designed to work with any audio source.

Personal preferences and budgetary limitations will ultimately determine whether the planar magnetic in-ear headphones you are considering are worth the money. The very best planar headphones provide incredible levels of bass and detail without ever tipping into distortion, however they can be costly and require more power to drive. They also often have open-back designs, which may let in ambient noise and bleeding noise.