How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
Planar magnetic headphones are less distorted than dynamic drivers. planar headphones is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm vibrates rather than just the portion attached to the voice coil.
They also have a wider soundstage, and better separation and differentiate capabilities. They do leak more and require isolation to stop disturbing those around you.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm is a key role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers and microphones) that move air to produce sound. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets and creates an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphones the current of electricity from the source of the headphone reaches the diaphragm through an electric coil that creates a magnetic force that causes it to vibrate.
The diaphragm suspension consists of neodymium, titanium or other synthetic materials. The diaphragm will then resonate with your ear using various frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide high SPLs without sounding distortion-free.
In addition to being able to reproduce high SPLs as well, planar magnetic headphones provide a more immersive soundstage. The reason for this is that the flat diaphragm creates an asymmetrical sound wavefront rather than the narrow spherical wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones produce an overall soundstage that is more natural, which is easier to localize.
Transient response is another benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is the ability of headphones with planar magnetics to reproduce short-lived peaks, like cymbal strikes and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm has a large diameter and is evenly distributed across the surface, ensuring there is no distortion when peak levels are reached.
Planar magnetic headphones have a few disadvantages you should take into account when selecting a set. One of the primary reasons for their higher price is that they are typically much larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. This is mainly due to the design of their motors that can be complex, as well as the pedigree of the company behind them.
There are many low-cost planar magnet headphones that are available for less than $100. They are available in close-back and open-back styles. You can pick the one that best fits your personal preferences for listening. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the best options available.
The voice coil
Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their clarity and detail across the entire range of frequencies. This is due in large part to the flat, thin diaphragm, which is sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted through the conductive materials, the windings of the vocal coil react with the magnetic field and cause the dialym to vibrate. This creates sound waves.
The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration happens at the same frequency and is uniform, no matter the location of the diaphragm in the magnetic field. This results in a more consistent sound quality with less distortion and an overall wavefront that's easier on the ears. Dynamic drivers on the other hand tend to create sound waves that are less uniform and more spherical.
Planar magnetic drivers because of the way they work requires a stronger amplification system. They also tend to be larger and heavier because they must accommodate a larger, more flexible diaphragm. They require an external amplifier or DAC in order to drive them.
Planar magnetic drivers are more expensive because they are typically made of high-quality materials. In recent years, however, a few HiFi audio headphone makers have revived this technology. Consequently, we're experiencing a variety of stunning new headphones that feature planar magnetic drivers, which provide an amazing listening experience.
The choice between planar and dynamic headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their accuracy and detail and offer a slightly larger soundstage than dynamic models. Dynamic headphones are more expensive, however they offer a more powerful bass and a warmer sounding signature.
The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more heft and slam, but this isn't always apparent to the majority of listeners. They also offer better imaging and separating. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule and some of the best planar-magnetic headphones come in at a very affordable price.
The magnets
In a headphone with dynamic driver, electrical impulses generated by the source of your audio are transmitted through a coil composed of conductive material which interacts with magnetic fields within the driver. These are then used to alter the diaphragm's flat shape and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones, on the other hand are made up of a thin sheet of conductive material, which is sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They are more difficult to produce, which is why they're more expensive.
They are also heavier and larger due to their design which requires more space around the drivers. They also consume more power than their more dynamic counterparts, which means they'll require an amp specifically designed for headphone use to achieve their full potential. This isn't a major issue often but it's something to think about when selecting these headphones.
While it's not true for all headphones, a lot of the top magnetic headphones that are planar will have an open and airy sound than their more dynamic counterparts. They can provide an impression of being in a larger space, which is appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they offer is also a bit bigger, which can be helpful when listening to music with others.
Many boutique headphone brands like HiFiMAN and Audeze make use of the open-back design. Although they're not as popular as closed-back models, they can be 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 audiophile, or simply someone who loves good music, it's likely you've heard of planar magnetic headphones. They have a distinctive look with a flat diaphragm embedded, which can be found in both open-back and over-ear headphones. In addition to their unique design, these headphones use different working principles that are different from dynamic drivers.
In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver that uses a voice coil to produce sound waves, planar magnetic headphones use an array of magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth in order to create sound. Depending on the configuration, these arrays may be situated on either or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that travels through the voice coil and causes it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields which interact with the magnets at either end of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms push and pull. This results in sound waves which are the audio signal.
Planar magnetic headphones are able to create a deeper sound and have a better bass extension. The big, flat diaphragm responds much faster to changes in the input signal, meaning they are able to respond quicker to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This gives them an improved, precise sound that audiophiles find appealing.
These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies, but do not have the slam and punch modern dynamic driver headphones offer. As such, they can be a bit more difficult to listen to for those who want to use them to listen to metal or hard rock music.
The cost of planar magnetic headphones is high due to their unique design. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converter to provide power to the drivers. Some people might find that the cost of these headphones is more expensive, but they believe that it's worth it. There are a variety of headphones available for those who do not want to spend too much.