How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

In comparison to dynamic drivers planar magnetic headphones have lower distortion. This is because it vibrates the entire diaphragm, not just the part that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a wider soundstage, which is better separated and differentiate capabilities. However, they leak a little more, requiring isolation to ensure that no one disturbs people who are around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays an essential role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that move air to produce sound. In headphones it's a flat part of diaphragm that is suspended between two magnets which create an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In a planar headphone, the electric current from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm by a coil. This coil generates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm's to vibrate.

The sound is transmitted to your ear via the diaphragm's suspension. It is often made of an artificial material like neodymium or titanium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequency. Planar magnetic headphones can provide high SPLs, but without sounding distorted.

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

Transient response is another benefit of planar magnet headphones. This is the ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, for example cymbal crashes and kick drum hits. The diaphragm is large and stretches evenly across the surface, which means there is no distortion when peaks are reached.

However, the planar magnetic headphones do have some drawbacks which should be considered when deciding on the right set. For one, they tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the design of their engines that can be complex, as well as the heritage of the company behind them.

There are a variety of budget-friendly planar magnets that cost less than $100. These headphones are available in closed-back and open-back styles. You can choose the one that is most suitable for your personal preferences for listening. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the best planar magnetic iem options available.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones provide exceptional clarity and clarity across the entire range of frequencies. This is due to the flat, thin diaphragm that is sandwiched between the arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal is transmitted by your audio source the material that conducts it's windings inside the voice coil interact with the magnetic field, causing the diaphragm to move, producing sound waves.

The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration occurs at the same rate and is uniform regardless of where the diaphragm lies within the magnetic field. This results in a more uniform sound quality with less distortion and an even wavefront that's easier on the ears. Contrary to this, dynamic drivers tend to produce an elongated sound wavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.

Planar magnetic drivers, due to their working method requires a stronger amplifier system. They are also heavier and bulkier due to the larger, more flexible membrane. As a result, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to enable them.

Additionally the planar magnetic drivers are much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts because they are typically constructed from top-quality materials. Nevertheless, a few specialized HiFi audio headphone companies have begun to revive this old technology in recent years. We're seeing a range of new headphones with planar magnet drivers, which provide an excellent listening experience.

As with everything else in life, the decision between dynamic and headset planar magnetic headphones comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their precision and clarity, and have a slightly larger soundstage than dynamic models. Dynamic headphones are more expensive but they offer a more powerful bass and a warmer sound signature.

The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more punch and slam. However, this difference is not always apparent to the majority of listeners. They are also better at capturing structure and distinguishing. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule, and How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work some great headphones that are planar-magnetic can be found at a price that is very affordable.

The magnets

In a headphone equipped with a dynamic driver, electrical signals from your source of audio travel through a coil of conductive materials that interact with magnetic fields within the driver. They are used to make the diaphragm's shape and produce sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones use an extremely thin layer of conductive material sandwiched between powerful magnets. They are more difficult to manufacture, which is why they're more expensive.

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 reach their full potential than their more dynamic counterparts. This isn't a major issue all the time, but it's worth considering when selecting these headphones.

It's not true for all headphones but many of the best planar magnet headphones have an open, airy sound. They also provide an airy feel that is quite appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they offer is also a bit bigger and can be useful when listening to music with others.

Many of the top boutique brands in headphone like HiFiMAN and Audeze make use of the open-back design. They're not as popular as closed-back models, but they are a great way to explore the planar magnetic technology. For example the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy and detail of these headphones for a low cost.

The housing

If you're an audiophile or just a person who enjoys good music, chances are you've heard of the planar magnetic headphones. They have a distinct appearance with a flat-embedded diaphragm that can be found in both open-back and over-ear headphones. Apart from the distinctive design, these headphones employ different working principles as compared to dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional moving coil drivers that use a voice coil to create sound waves, use an array magnets to move the diaphragm to produce sound. These arrays can be positioned on either or both sides depending on the design. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations then create magnetic fields that interact with magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to pull and push. The audio signal is represented using sound waves.

Planar magnetic headphones can produce a richer sound and better bass extension. The large, flat diaphragm responds faster to changes in input signals, so they respond faster to bass response, and are less susceptible to distortion. This provides them with an improved, precise sound that audiophiles like.

These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies, but they lack the slam and punch modern dynamic driver headphones can provide. They can be difficult to listen to for those who wish to listen to hard or metal rock music.

The cost of planar magnetic headphones is high because of their unique design. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converters to provide power to the drivers. Some consumers may find that the cost of these headphones is higher, but they believe it's worth it. There are a variety of headphones for those who do not need to spend a lot.