Planar Headphones
Planar headphones are renowned for their accurate and clear audio. They also have less distortion and larger soundstage than dynamic headphones.
They are generally more expensive. They require a powered DAC/amplifier in order to function. Monoprice's Monolith headphones offer the best value for people who don't want to spend more than $1000 for headphones.
The Basics
Shopping for headphones can be a challenge There are a lot of things to take into consideration. In addition to over-ear or on-ear, there's open back or closed back, wired or wireless and the different driver types to choose from: dynamic electrostatic, planar magnetic, balanced armature, and MEMS. These distinctions might seem a bit complicated, but they are important to be aware of if you're searching for the most immersive sound.
A planar headphone is an elongated diaphragm that is surrounded by magnets. When audio is played in the headphone, the conductor on the diaphragm reacts with the magnets to create vibrations. This creates a wide frequency response with higher frequency sensitivity and less distortion than dynamic drivers. It also creates a wide soundstage that gives listeners the feeling of being somewhere in the middle.
This unique design is also what makes planar headphones more expensive than other headphone types particularly when compared to the more budget-friendly models that have become more popular. Because of this, the planar headphone has been traditionally reserved for audiophiles who do not want to pay a premium for the audio experience.
However, in recent years manufacturers have been working to make planar technology more accessible to a wider market. Hifiman's and Audeze's high-end headphones have pushed the limits of what is possible with planar drivers. Many audiophiles are beginning to recognize the advantages of these headphones.
Despite their higher cost, planar headphones are known for their exceptional audio quality and comfort. They offer a full soundstage, clear imaging, and accurate bass response that is able to compete with other headphone types. Additionally, planar headphones have outstanding detail retrieval and can accurately reproduce musical instruments without sounding muddy or overbearing.
One of the major disadvantages of planar headphones is that they can be bulky and heavy, making them less portable than other types of headphone. Some planar headphones also require an amplified system to work optimally. This could be a deterrent for people seeking a lightweight and simple headphone solution. Fortunately, the latest headphones are using innovative technology to lower the weight of these headphones while preserving their stunning sound quality.
The Benefits
Planar headphones offer the highest quality sound, overcoming the limitations of dynamic driver headphones. They let you hear the full range of sound with realistic sound quality and space. This is because the diaphragm that is flat in a planar headphone can move much larger volumes of air than a traditional cone-shaped diaphragm.
The diaphragms' large movements generate vibrations that create sounds through constant compression and decompression. Monolith headphones use planar drivers that are extremely energy-efficient, as they only require one coil to move the dialephragm. This reduces power consumption and increases the life of your headphones.
Another benefit of planar driver is their ability to reproduce low frequencies with no distortion. Typical headphones use small and stiff drivers that have to move huge amounts of air to reproduce low frequencies, which puts them under a lot of stress. The flat diaphragm in a pair of planar headphones can move more air than a traditional driver with a flexible range which results in a clear bass response.
Additionally the conductor trace on a planar diaphragm allows it to be more evenly interacting with magnetic fields. This results in a lower vibration split than you get with traditional dynamic drivers and is similar to electrostatic headphones.
Open-back headphones emit less sound than dynamic headphones. This is particularly useful when listening to music in a public area. This ensures your audio is private and secures you from being viewed by others. You are also able to get lost in your favorite music.
They are more expensive than dynamic ones, but they provide a superior audio quality that is worthy for a lot of audiophiles. However, it's important to take into consideration your preferences and needs prior to making a decision to purchase a pair of these headphones. If you prefer image structure, clarity and distinction over slam or punch, then perhaps these headphones aren't the best suitable for you. There are many options that can provide both planar and slam sound without breaking the budget. Monoprice's brand new M1060 is among these budget headphones that has been making waves in the industry with its impressive performance. our source features a elegant design, excellent comfort, and a lifetime warranty.
The Specifics
The sound you hear from a headphone is based on how the thin and light diaphragm inside it is made to vibrate. In most headphones, the voice coils are encased behind a flat diaphragm. However, different designs have been created that use a planar magnetic driver to achieve the same effect with a thinner and lighter diaphragm. This allows for a headphone which produces sound with less distortion and a greater frequency response.
The first major distinction is the location of the conductor trace on the diaphragm. In a planar driver the conductors are on the flat surface of the diaphragm, which causes them to react more evenly within the magnetic field compared to dynamic drivers that put them on the top of the magnet and voice coil. This helps to eliminate acoustic resonance and pressure buildup and provide the most natural and accurate rendition of your music.
Contrary to dynamic drivers that require an additional power amplifier for each channel, the majority of planar magnetic headphones are designed to be powered by a single source and can typically be driven by an audio device that is portable or a headphone amplifiers that have low output impedance. Some models are even made to be solely resistive, requiring just a few watts of power to ensure excellent performance. The HIFIMAN Ananda, and Susvara are a couple of examples.
Planar magnetic headphones are a great choice for music lovers and audiophiles who enjoy high-resolution listening. They provide excellent clarity and detail for a fantastic listening experience, and are lightweight, comfortable and adaptable. The Audeze LCD-5 is a great example of a planar headphone that has these features, as well as an outstanding appearance and feel. Made in the USA This pair of reference headphones with an open back is perfect for professional mixing and mastering, as well as for high-resolution personal audio.
The Bottom Line
Planar headphones are a fascinating design, as they overcome many of the limitations of more traditional headphone drivers. With their ultra-thin diaphragm positioned between two opposing magnetic fields, planar drivers are able to create a very natural and immersive listening experience. This unique technology has lot to offer audiophiles but it can also be a bit difficult to comprehend.
In terms of the quality of sound the sound of planar drivers is typically more precise and controlled than dynamic drivers. They also have a distinctive "plucked" sound to their sound, and generally have better separation between instruments capabilities than dynamic drivers. However, the bass tends to not have the punch and slam you'd get from high-end dynamic drivers.
Planar headphones don't suffer from the same distortion as dynamic drivers due to the fact that their entire diaphragm vibrates whenever an audio signal is received. This also leads to more consistent audio quality across an extended range of volume, making them ideal for long listening sessions. Additionally they are often powered by integrated amps found 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 because of the bi-directional movement of the diaphragm, plane headphones can experience issues with leakage. This means that certain sounds will escape from the earcups, which is why they shouldn't be used in noisy environments.
When looking for headphones that are planar take into consideration that they cost more than traditional models with dynamic drivers. However the superior performance they offer more than makes up for this increased cost.
There are a few brands with a good reputation for their planar headphones that include Hifiman, Audeze, Dan Clark and Fostex. Each manufacturer has its own approach to acoustics, so it is best to listen to a few samples before purchasing. For instance the Hifiman He400SE is widely considered to be one of the least expensive and best-sounding planar headphones available. Its design is open and is a good choice for those seeking an entry point into the world of planar headphones.