How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
Planar magnetic headphones are less distorted than dynamic drivers. This is because it vibrates the whole diaphragm and not just the part attached the voice coil.
They also have a bigger soundstage, which is better separated and differentiation capabilities. However, they leak a little more, requiring isolation to keep from disturbing those who are around you.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm is a key role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that move air to create sound. In headphones the diaphragm is suspended between two magnets and produces an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphone, the current of electricity from the source of the headphone is transferred to the diaphragm through a coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm's to vibrate.
The sound generated is transmitted to your ear via the diaphragm's suspended, which is usually made of an artificial material, such as neodymium or titanium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones can deliver high SPLs, without sounding distortion-free.
Planar magnetic headphones aren't only able to reproduce high SPLs but also offer an enhanced soundstage. This is due to the flat diaphragm generates a planar wavefront instead of the spherical-focused wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. In turn, the headphones deliver an unnatural soundstage that's more easily to locate.
Transient response is another benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is due to their ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, like crashes of cymbals and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is huge and stretches evenly across the surface, which means there's no distortion once peaks are reached.
However, planar magnetic headphones do have some disadvantages which should be taken into account when deciding on a set. One of them is that they generally cost more than their dynamic counterparts. The main reason is the complexity of the drivers as well as the reputation of the brand.
There are fortunately great affordable planar magnetic headphones that can be purchased at less than $100. These headphones are available in both open-back and close-back designs. You can choose the one that best fits your personal preferences for listening. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones available.
The voice coil
Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their clarity and precision across the entire range of frequencies. This is due to their thin, flat diaphragm that's sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal is transmitted through your audio source, the conductive material windings in the voice coil react with the magnetic field, causing the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and produce sound waves.
The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that each vibration happens at the same rate and is uniform regardless of where the diaphragm lies within the magnetic field. This ensures a consistent sound quality with less distortion and an overall wavefront that is easier on the ears. In contrast, dynamic drivers tend to create a more spherical sound wavefront that's less uniform and can be distracting.
Planar magnetic drivers, due to the way they operate, require a stronger amplifier system. They are also more heavy and bulkier because of their larger and more flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC to drive them.
Additionally, planar magnetic drivers are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts since they're usually made of high-end materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone companies have started to revive this older technology in recent years. We're seeing a wide range of new headphones featuring planar magnet drivers that offer an excellent listening experience.
The decision between dynamic and planar headphones is dependent on your personal preferences and budget. Planar magnetic headphones have an enlargement of the sound stage than dynamic models and are known for their exceptional detail and accuracy. However, they're often more expensive, and many listeners prefer the booming bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.
The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more power and slam, however this isn't always apparent to the majority of listeners. headphone planar magnetic are also better at capturing structure and distinction. There are some exceptions to the rule. The best planar-magnetic headsets can be bought at affordable prices.
Magnets
In a typical headphones with a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your audio source travel through a coil of conductive material that interacts with the magnetic fields within the driver. These impulses are then used to manipulate the diaphragm's flat surface and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones however make use of a thin layer of conductive material that's sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They're more difficult to manufacture, which is why they're more expensive.
A larger and heavier design is also a result of the need for more space around drivers. They also use more power than their counterparts with dynamic drivers and will require an amp specifically designed for headphone use to fully utilize their potential. While this isn't always a problem, it's something to be aware of when thinking about these headphones.
It's not the case with all headphones but many of the best planar-magnet headphones have an open, airy sound. They can provide the impression that they are in a larger space, which can be appealing to certain listeners. They also have a bigger soundstage, which is useful when listening to music together with other people.
Many of the top boutique brands in headphone like HiFiMAN and Audeze employ the open-back design. Although they're not as popular as closed-back models, they're an excellent way to experience the strengths of planar magnetic technology. For instance the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy and clarity of these headphones at an affordable cost.
The housing
You may have heard of planar magnet headphones if are an audiophile or even if you just enjoy good music. These headphones have a unique look, with an elongated diaphragm that is embedded within the headphone. They are available in both over-ear and open-back designs. In addition to the unique design, these headphones also use different working principles compared to dynamic drivers.
Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional moving coil drivers that use a voice coil to generate sound waves, use an array of magnets to move the diaphragm in order to create sound. The arrays can be placed on either or both sides based on the design. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields that interact with magnets on the opposite side of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms to pull and push against the magnetic fields. The audio signal is represented in sound waves.
Due to this, headphones made of planar magnetics typically sound more resonant and offer superior bass extension capabilities. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds much faster to changes in input signals, which means they are able to respond more quickly to bass response, and are less prone to distortion. This results in an improved, precise sound quality that some audiophiles enjoy.
However, while these headphones may be capable of reproducing higher frequencies, they lack the punch or slam of modern high-end dynamic driver headphones. This means that they may be a bit more difficult to listen to for those who want to to listen to hard rock or metal music.
Due to their distinctive design they are more expensive than other types of headphone. The drivers are powered by an audio converter digital and a dedicated amplifier. This can add up to an increase in cost for some buyers, however many believe that the sound is worth the expense. Regardless, it's important to keep in mind that there are other headphones available to those who don't want spend more than they have to.