Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones utilize a thin, flat diaphragm that is suspended between magnets to produce uniform sound waves. This gives a better soundstage, greater detail and a distinctive sound signature.
Audiophiles may find them more expensive and difficult to drive however, the cost is worth it. You can purchase headphones for less than $400. These include the affordable Hifiman HE400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.
Soundstage
Planar magnetic headphones that have large drivers can create a large soundstage. These vast soundscapes allow you to hear a more detailed sound, resulting in a more immersive listening experience. You'll be able to better identify the position of each instrument and voice in the mix, making them an excellent option for mixing or studio use.
Planar magnetic headphones are famous for their incredible bass performance. Their large drivers are able to move a lot more air, allowing them to reproduce deep bass notes with amazing accuracy and clarity. This is a major improvement from the tinny and muddy bass that comes with most dynamic driver headphones.
Planar magnetic headphones are unique in that they utilize a flat diaphragm, sandwiched in an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two arrays of magnetic material. When an electrical charge is passed through the conductive pattern it creates magnetic field which makes the diaphragm move and produce sound waves. The magnetic field regulates the diaphragm's motion and is evenly distributed over the entire surface. This creates an isodynamic (or constant) field that ensures the motion of the dialygm remains constant throughout the entire frequency range.
Planar magnetic headphones are considerably less distortion-free than dynamic headphones because the distortion caused by a dynamic driver comes from the voice coil moving through and out of contact between the diaphragm as well as the voice coil. This means that you can hear the music as the artist wanted to hear it, even at a high volume.
Planar magnetic headphones leak more than dynamic models with open backs. This is due to the large diaphragms in these headphones circulate a huge amount of air. Additionally, some of it escapes the back of the headphone. If you're listening in a quiet environment this shouldn't be an issue.
The decision between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones really comes down to your personal preferences for listening and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are the best option if you value accuracy, detail and low distortion.
Detail
Planar magnetic headphones have gained popularity among audiophiles in recent times. They are renowned for their spacious sound signature, they utilize diaphragms with flat surfaces that move at amazing speed and flexibility to create superior high frequencies and deep bass. The conductor trace that is present on the planar headphones is anchored to the diaphragm's flat surface and responds to the magnetic fields created by two opposing magnetic poles. This allows them to reproduce frequencies with larger ranges than other headphones, and without distortion of the driver or damage to the diaphragm when they are used at high volumes.
This also leads to the diaphragm's flat shape creating a wider, more planar sound wavefront, rather than the more narrow spherical waves like dynamic drivers (although some newer, high-end dynamic driver headphones such as Focal Utopia are able to extend to 20 Hz). The broader, more expansive soundstage of these headphones give them an impressive ability to reveal specifics in recordings. This is especially evident with instruments, where the precision and clarity that planar magnetic headphones offer allows you to hear every individual woodwind note, string, and piano key clearly, as they were intended by the composer.
Another feature of a quality pair of headphones is the way they reproduce sounds around you. Some headphones leak sound through the earcup's back in accordance with the type of headphones they are, whether open-back or closed-back. In most cases, this isn't an issue, but in some it can be disruptive to people around when you're listening. In this case you should choose headphones that minimize leakage or have an optional grille that you can use in public areas.
No matter what kind of headphones you pick, it's essential to find the one that is compatible with your lifestyle and music preferences. There are a variety of styles, sizes and prices of a planar magnetic headphones that will fit your listening preferences.
Comfort
A planar headphone is made up of thin diaphragms that are imprinted with conductors strung across a variety of magnets which alter the sound waves in ways that traditional dynamic headphones cannot. The wider wavefront produces sound that are more immersive and natural, with amazing detail, speed, accuracy, and speed. However, they can be heavy and require a dedicated amplifier to maximize their potential.
In recent years, a variety of specialist HiFi audio brands have brought this old technology back. This allows listeners to experience new levels in audio quality. These headphones may not look like the sleek models but they are known for their deep bass, intimate audio and excellent stage depth.
Despite their size and unique shape, these headphones are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear. The earcups are designed to enclose your ear and block out ambient noise so you can focus on your music. They don't clamp around your head or neck like some over-ear headphones. Some listeners are also drawn to the light-weight design and earpads that are comfortable.
The price of a planar magnetic headphone is a further drawback. While you can find affordable dynamic headphones, a lot of planar models require an specialized DAC and amplifier to make the most of them. They are more complicated than their dynamic counterparts, and require lots of power to move the magnets.
There are a few budget-friendly alternatives (such as the HIFIMAN Deva or AUdeze Venus), most planar headphones fall into the premium category and some of the top choices costing over $400 in price. It's a significant investment if you play music only on the move or play games most of the time. However, for those who love music in its finest form and want to listen to music in a more intimate setting, planar headphones are the best listening experience.
Despite their great sound but the biggest drawback to the majority of headphones with planar design is their leakage. Dual magnets move in both directions, causing the headphones to leak sound. This can be disruptive to those who are in the vicinity or let outside noises in. Some models are more susceptible to this than others. However, it is an issue for most listeners who want to listen in a quiet setting.
Noise isolation
A pair of headphones must be able isolate your ears from their environment to be referred to as "headphones". A good planar magnetic headphones will use an ergonomic design and the finest materials to stop sound from escaping your ears. This will lower the amount of sound you hear, giving you a more immersive listening experience.
In general the headphones with planar magnets are heavier and more bulky than dynamic headphones. This is because the driver requires a larger surface area to deliver sound and requires a larger earcup. Some of the most prestigious HiFi audio brands prefer to design earcups using exotic woods and composites.
Planar magnetic headphones regulate electrical current using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field on each side of the film causes it to vibrate, generating sound waves. The diaphragm oscillates as all of it, not only a small portion that is connected to the voice coil. This means that they are less likely to be damaged at high volume.
However, many newer planar magnetic headphones aren't as strong in bass, and don't have quite as much "slam" or "punch" that you might experience from a high end pair of dynamic drivers. It's a tradeoff, but one that can be sorted out through careful comparisons of different sets of headphones.
As a result it's best to spend your time shopping around for a pair of planar magnetic headphones and carefully read reviews from professional audio sites and users on the r/headphones subreddit. This way, you can be certain that the pair of headphones you select will offer the performance that's right for your needs and preferences. Once you've done this then all you have to do is to find a great price/performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 over-ear headphones are an excellent example of this, combining amazing audio quality with a sleek stealth design and comfortable cushions that are comparable to the comfort of headphones that cost considerably more than the M1060.