How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Compared to dynamic drivers, magnetic headphones with planar design have less distortion. This is because it vibrates the entire diaphragm, not only the part that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a larger soundstage and better separation of instruments and ability to differentiate. However, they do leak a little more, requiring isolation to keep from disturbing those who are around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial element in nearly every sound transducer (headphones as well as loudspeakers and microphones comprising) that is used to move air to create sound waves. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets and produces an electromagnetic field upon activation by audio signals. In planar headphones the current of electricity emanating from the headphone's source is transferred to the diaphragm by way of a coil that generates magnetic force, which causes it to vibrate.

The sound produced is transmitted to your ear through the diaphragm's suspension. It is usually made of an artificial material like neodymium or titanium. The diaphragm will then resonate with your ear using different frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide high SPLs, but without sounding distortion-free.

In addition to being able to reproduce high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a better soundstage. This is because the flat diaphragm generates the planar wavefront rather than the spherical focused wavefront found in many dynamic drivers. This means that the headphones produce a more natural soundstage that's more easily to locate.

Transient response is a further benefit of using planar magnet headphones. This is the ability of planar magnetic headphones to reproduce peaks that last only a few seconds, like cymbal strikes and kick drum hits. The large size of the diaphragm as well as the fact that it is able to move evenly across its surface ensures that there is no distortion at these peaks.

However, these headphones do have some drawbacks that should be taken into account when selecting the right set. One of the main reasons they are more expensive is that they tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the design of their drivers that can be complicated, as well as the heritage of the company behind them.

There are many affordable planar magnet headphones available for less than $100. These headphones are available in both closed-back and open-back styles. 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 best headphones on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and clarity across the entire range of frequencies. This is due to the thin, flat diaphragm sandwiched between magnet arrays. When an electrical signal from your source of audio is sent to the vocal coil, the conductive materials windings in the vocal coil are able to interact with the magnet field, and cause the dialyms to vibrate. This produces sound waves.

The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that every vibration occurs at the same speed 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 a more uniform wavefront that's easier on the ears. Contrary to this, dynamic drivers tend to produce more of a spherical soundwavefront that's less consistent and can be distracting.

Due to the way in which they function due to their design, planar magnetic drivers require a stronger amplification system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also heavier and bulkier since they have to accommodate a larger, more flexible diaphragm. As a result, they usually require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to power them.

Planar magnetic drivers are more expensive due to the fact that they are typically constructed of top-quality materials. Nevertheless, a few specialized HiFi audio headphone companies have begun to revive this older technology in recent years. We're seeing a wide range of new headphones that have planar magnet drivers, which provide an excellent listening experience.

The choice between planar and dynamic headphones is a matter of personal preference and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are known for their accuracy and detail and offer a slightly larger soundstage than dynamic models. However, they are typically more expensive, and a lot of listeners prefer the booming bass and warm sound signature of dynamic headphones.

The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more power and slam, but this isn't always apparent to the majority of listeners. They are also better at clarity and imaging. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule, and some excellent planar-magnetic headphones come in at a very affordable price.

The magnets

In a typical headphone that has a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your audio source go through a conductive material that interacts with the magnetic fields inside the driver. These impulses are then used to alter the diaphragm's flat shape and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones are made up of an extremely thin layer of conductive material sandwiched between powerful magnets. This makes them more complex to produce and is one of the reasons they're often more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.

They also tend to be heavier and bigger due to their design, which requires more space around the 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. Although this isn't always a problem, it's something to be aware of when looking at these headphones.

While it's not true for all headphones, many of the top headphones with a planar design will provide an open and airy sound than their more dynamic counterparts. They also provide the impression of space, which is quite appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they offer is also a bit larger, which can be helpful when listening to music with others.

The open-back design is a popular option for a number of small-scale headphone brands, such as the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. Although they're not as popular as closed-back models, they're an excellent opportunity to experience the advantages of planar magnetic technology. For example the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy and clarity of these headphones for a low cost.

The housing

If you're an audiophile or just a person who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of the planar magnetic headphones. They sport a unique design, with an elongated diaphragm that is embedded within the headphone. They are available in over-ear and open-back designs. In addition to the unique design, these headphones also employ different working principles as that are different from dynamic drivers.


Planar magnetic headphones, as opposed to traditional moving coil drivers, which use a voice coil to generate sound waves, use an array of magnets that move the diaphragm in order to create sound. Based on simply click the next site , these arrays can be situated on either or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields which interact with the magnets at the opposite side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to push and pull. This results in sound waves that represent the audio signal.

Planar magnetic headphones can create a deeper sound and better bass extension. The large, flat diaphragm responds much faster to changes in the input signal, so they are able to respond quicker to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This creates a cleaner, more regulated sound that many audiophiles appreciate.

These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies, but do not have the punch and slam that modern dynamic driver headphones provide. They can be difficult to hear to for those who wish to listen to hard rock music.

Because of their unique design, planar magnetic headphones are more expensive than other headphone models. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converters to provide power to the drivers. Some people might find that the price of these headphones is higher, but they think it's worth it. However, it's important to be aware that there are different headphone types available for those who don't want to pay more than they have to.