Planar Headphones
Planar headphones deliver accurate and detailed audio that is clear and precise. They also have less distortion and a wider soundstage than dynamic headphones.
However, they're usually more expensive than headphones with dynamic features. This is because they require a powered DAC and an amplifier in order to function. Monoprice's Monolith headphones are a great option for those who don't wish to spend more than $1000 on headphones.
The Basics
Shopping for headphones can be a challenge There are many factors to consider. There are Going Listed here of factors to take into consideration when buying headphones. They can be on-ear or above-ear, open-back or closed-back, wireless or wired. Then there are the types of drivers: dynamic, electrostatic, planar-magnetic, or balanced-armature. These distinctions may seem complicated however they are crucial to know if you're looking for the best sound.
A headphone that is planar has a diaphragm with a flat surface that is surrounded by magnets. When an audio signal is played, the conductor of the diaphragm is triggered by the magnets, causing vibrations. This creates a greater frequency response, and more sensitivity and less distortion than dynamic drivers. It also creates an spacious soundstage, giving listeners the sensation that they are in the middle of the music.
Planar headphones are more expensive due to their unique design, particularly when compared to more affordable dynamic models. These headphones are therefore reserved for audiophiles who are willing to pay a premium price for the audio experience.
In recent years, manufacturers made efforts to make planar technology more accessible to a broader audience. Hifiman's and Audeze's high-end headphones have pushed the limits of what is possible with planar drivers. Many audiophiles are starting to recognize the benefits of these headphones.
Despite their higher price, planar headphones are known for their high-quality audio and comfort. They are able to compete easily with other types of headphone. Additionally, planar headphones have outstanding detail retrieval and can accurately reproduce musical instruments without sounding overbearing or muddy.
Planar headphones can be bulky and heavy, making them less mobile than other varieties of headphone. Some planar headphones also require an amplified system to work at their best. This can be a turn-off for those looking for an easy-to-use and portable headphone solution. Newer headphones use innovative technology to make them lighter while still maintaining the same quality of sound.
The Benefits
Planar headphones provide superior sound quality that is beyond the limitations of traditional dynamic driver headphones. They let you hear the full range of sound with realistic space and depth. This is because the diaphragm that is flat in a planar headphone can move much larger amounts of air than a traditional cone-shaped diaphragm.
These large diaphragm movements create vibrations that generate sounds via continuous compression and decompression. Monolith headphones use planar drivers that are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they only require one coil to move the dialephragm. This helps reduce power consumption and increases the life of your headphones.
Planar drivers are also able to reproduce low-frequency sounds with no distortion. The typical headphones employ small, stiff drivers that are under extreme stress due to the fact that they must move a significant amount of air in order to reproduce low-frequency sounds. The diaphragm that is flat in a pair of headphones can move more air than a standard driver with a flexible range, resulting in a very clean bass response.
A planar diaphragm also reacts more evenly to a magnetic field because of the conductor trace. This results in a lower split than what you would get from traditional dynamic driver headphones and is comparable to electrostatic headphones.
Open-back planar headphones leak less sound than dynamic headphones. This is particularly useful when listening to music in a public place. It also ensures that your audio is private and secure from outside noise and allowing you to get lost in your music.
While they are more expensive than dynamic ones but they provide superior sound quality and are worth the investment for many musicians and audiophiles. But, it's crucial to consider your preferences and needs before making a purchase decision on one of these headphones. Planar headphones might not be suitable for you if you prefer image structure, clarity and distinction over slam and punch. There are a variety of options that deliver both planar and slam sound without breaking the budget. Monoprice's latest M1060 is among these budget headphones that has raked in the rage in the industry with its remarkable performance. It comes with a sleek stealth design and great comfort, and it's backed up by a lifetime warranty.
The Specifics
The sound you hear from a headphone is based on the way that the light and thin diaphragm inside is made to vibrate. In most headphones, this is done using a dynamic driver with voice coils placed behind the flat diaphragm. Other configurations use an asymmetrical magnet driver to get the similar result, but using thinner and lighter diaphragm. This allows for a headphone which produces sound with less distortion and higher frequency response.
The primary difference is the position of the conductor trace on the diaphragm. With a planar driver, the conductors are on the flat diaphragm's surface which makes them react more evenly within the magnetic field, compared to dynamic drivers that place them on the 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 representation of your music.
The majority of planar headphones can be powered by just one source, like an audio player portable or headphone amplifiers with an impedance that is low. Some models are even designed to be completely resistive, requiring just a few watts of power to provide outstanding performance. The HIFIMAN Ananda, and Susvara are two examples.
Planar magnetic headphones are an excellent choice for music lovers and audiophiles who enjoy high-resolution listening. They offer impressive detail and clarity for an excellent listening experience while being lightweight and comfortable. They also have a wide range of features. Audeze LCD-5 planar headphones provide these features and more, along with a distinctive design and feel. This pair of open-back headphones reference is manufactured in the USA and is perfect for professional mixing mastering, high-resolution audio.
The Bottom Line
Planar headphones are a unique design, as they overcome many of the limitations of more conventional headphone drivers. With their ultra-thin diaphragm set between two opposing magnetic fields, planar drivers are able to create a natural and immersive listening experience. This unique technology can offer audiophiles many benefits, but can be difficult to comprehend.
Planar drivers produce a more precise and tense sound than dynamic drivers. They also have a distinctive "plucked" quality to their sound and generally have better instrument separation capabilities than dynamic drivers. The bass isn't quite as rich and has the slam and punch you can get from a high-end dynamic drivers.
Planar headphones also do not suffer from the same amount of distortion as dynamic drivers, because their entire diaphragm is vibrating in response to an audio signal. This results in more consistent sound quality across a larger range of volume, which makes them ideal for listening for longer periods. They can be powered by integrated amps that are found on the majority of devices. This means that they don't need the same amount of power as high-end headsets.
It's important to note that due to the bi-directional motion of the diaphragms, planar headphones may have issues with leakage. This means that certain sounds will escape from the ear cups, so they're not recommended in noisy environments.
When you are looking for headphones with planar design, you should also consider that they cost more than traditional models with a dynamic driver. The superior performance of the planar headphones more than makes up for the higher price.
There are a few brands that have a good reputation for their planar headphones, including Hifiman, Audeze, Dan Clark and Fostex. But, each manufacturer has their own opinion on the acoustics and sound of a headphone and it is recommended to test the sound of samples prior to purchasing. The Hifiman HE400SE for example, is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and affordable planar headphones on the market. It is a planar with an open design headphone that is ideal for those who want to get into the world.