Planar Headphones
Planar headphones deliver accurate and detailed audio that is clear and precise. They also have a lower distortion and larger soundstage than dynamic headphones.
They tend to be more expensive. They require a powered DAC/amplifier to work. Monoprice's Monolith headphones are a great choice for those who don't wish to spend more than $1,000 on headphones.
The Basics
The process of choosing headphones can be a bit confusing, and there are a variety of factors to consider. There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing headphones. They can be on-ear or above-ear closed-back or open-back, wired or wireless. Then there are the driver types: dynamic electrostatic, planar-magnetic or balanced-armature. Although these distinctions can be complex and confusing, they're essential to know if you want the best sound quality.
A headphone with a planar design has a flat diaphragm surrounded by magnets. When audio is played, the conductor on the diaphragm reacts with the magnets to create vibrations. This creates a greater frequency response, and greater quality of sound and less distortion than dynamic drivers. It also creates an spacious soundstage, giving listeners the sensation that they are in the center of the music.
Planar headphones are more expensive because of their unique design, especially when compared to the more affordable dynamic models. For this reason, planar headphones were traditionally reserved for audiophiles who do not mind paying a premium for the audio experience.
However, in recent years manufacturers have been working to make planar technology more accessible to a larger market. Hifiman's and Audeze's premium headphones have pushed the limits of what is possible with planar drivers. Many audio enthusiasts are now beginning to appreciate the benefits of these headphones.
Planar headphones are renowned for their high-quality audio and comfort, despite their higher price. They are able to compete easily with other headphone types. They can also reproduce musical instruments with amazing accuracy and detail without sounding loud or muddy.
Planar headphones are often heavy and bulky, which makes them less mobile than other kinds of headphones. Additionally, some planar headphones require a powerful headphone amplifier to function at their peak performance levels. This could be a deterrent to those seeking a portable and easy-to-use headphone solution. The good news is that newer headphones are using innovative technology to reduce the weight of the headphones while preserving their stunning audio quality.
The Benefits
Planar headphones offer the highest quality sound, overcoming the limitations of dynamic driver headphones. They also offer a fantastic opportunity to experience the full soundstage of your music in a real sound and space. The diaphragm, which is flat, in planar headphone is able to move more air than the typical diaphragm.
These large diaphragm movements create sound waves that are generated by continuous compression and decompression. Monolith headphones use planar drivers that are extremely energy-efficient, as they require only a single coil to vibrate the dialephragm. This decreases your headphones' power consumption and extends their life.
Planar drivers are also able to reproduce low-frequency sounds without distortion. Typical headphones use small and stiff drivers that must move large volumes of air in order to reproduce low frequencies, putting them under a lot of pressure. The diaphragm, which is flat, of a pair of headphones that are planar is able to move far more air than conventional drivers, and has a wide range of motion, which results in an extremely smooth bass response.
Furthermore, the conductor trace on a planar diaphragm enables it to interact more evenly with magnetic fields. This results in a lower split frequency than what you would get from a traditional driver headphone and is comparable to electrostatic headphones.
planar headphones explained -back planar headphones release less sound than dynamic headphones. This is especially beneficial when listening to music in a public place. This also means that your audio is private shielding you from the outside world and allowing you to get lost in your music.
Planar headphones are more expensive than dynamic ones, but they offer a superior sound that is worth it for many audiophiles. It is important to consider your preferences and needs prior to making a choice to purchase a pair of these headphones. Planar headphones may not be for you if you prefer structure, clarity and distinction over slam and punch. There are a variety of options that offer both slam and sound without spending a fortune. Monoprice's M1060 is a fantastic example of a budget-friendly pair of headphones that have made waves with their outstanding performance. It has sleek, stealthy design and great comfort and is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
The Specs
The sound you hear using a headphone is determined by how the thin, lightweight diaphragm is made to move. In the majority of headphones the voice coils are fixed behind a diaphragm that is flat. Other configurations use the planar magnet driver to achieve the same result, but with a lighter and thinner diaphragm. This lets the headphone produce sounds that are less distorted, higher frequency response and better bass.
The main distinction between a traditional dynamic driver and the planar driver is where the conductor trace is placed on the diaphragm. In a planar driver conductors are located on the flat surface of the diaphragm which causes them to react more evenly within the magnetic field, compared to dynamic drivers which place them on top of the magnet and voice coil. This can help eliminate the acoustic resonance as well as pressure buildup and provide the most natural and accurate rendition of your music.
Most planar magnetic headphones can be powered by just one source, such as a portable audio player or headphone amplifiers with a low output impedance. Some models are even made to be solely resistive, which requires only the power of a few watts for excellent performance. The HIFIMAN Ananda and Susvara, are examples.
For music lovers and audiophiles these headphones are an excellent choice for high-resolution audio. They provide excellent clarity and detail for a fantastic listening experience, and are lightweight, comfortable and a lot of fun. The Audeze LCD-5 is a great example of a planar headphones that offers these features, and a stunning appearance and feel. This open-back headphone reference is manufactured in the USA and is perfect for professional mixing mastering, high-resolution audio.
The Bottom Line
The world of planar headphones is quite interesting, as they overcome many limitations imposed on traditional headphone designs. Planar drivers are able to create a natural and immersive listening environment with their ultra-thin, magnetically positioned diaphragm. This unique technology can offer audiophiles many benefits but it can be difficult to comprehend.
In terms of sound quality, planar drivers are typically much more tense and precise than dynamic drivers. They also have a distinct "plucked" sound to their sound and generally have better separation between instruments capabilities than dynamic drivers. The bass lacks some of the punch and slam that you can get from a high-end dynamic driver.
They also do not suffer from the same distortion as dynamic drivers, because their entire diaphragm vibrates in response to the sound signal. This results in a better audio quality over a larger frequency range. They are therefore ideal for listening to long periods of time. In addition, they can often be powered by the integrated amps you find on a lot of devices, so they do not require the same amount of power as high-end headphones.
It's important to note that planar headphones may have some leakage issues because of the diaphragm's bidirectional movement. It means that certain sounds could escape from the ear cups. They are not recommended for use in noisy environments.
Another thing to consider when purchasing the perfect pair of planar headphones is that they may be more expensive than conventional dynamic driver models. However their superior performance provide more than makes up the extra cost.
The planar headphones of Hifiman have a great reputation. Audeze, Dan Clark, and Fostex are also good brands. Each brand has its own take on the acoustics, therefore it is recommended to listen to some samples before buying. The Hifiman HE400SE for example, is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and affordable planar headphones on the market. Its design is open and is a great choice for those looking for an entry point into the world of headphones with a planar design.