Planar Headphones
Planar headphones are known for their accurate and clear audio. They also have less distortion and a larger soundstage than dynamic headphones.
However, they’re typically more expensive than dynamic headphones. They require a powered DAC/amplifier to work. Monoprice’s Monolith headphones are a great option for those who don’t wish to spend more than $1000 on headphones.
The Basics
There are many factors to consider when shopping for headphones. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when buying planars headphones. They may be above or on-ear open-back or closed-back wireless or wired. There are three driver types: dynamic electrostatic, planar-magnetic, or balanced-armature. Although these distinctions aren’t always clear, they’re important to understand for the best sound quality.
A planar headphone is a flat diaphragm surrounded by magnets. When an audio signal is played, the conductor of the diaphragm reacts to the magnets, causing vibrations. This allows for a wide frequency response with higher frequency sensitivity and less distortion than dynamic drivers. It also creates an spacious soundstage, giving listeners the impression that they are in the center of the music.
This unique design is also what makes Planar magnetic drivers headphones more expensive than other types of headphone, especially when compared to the low-cost dynamic models that are becoming more popular. Planar headphones are a must for audiophiles willing to pay the highest price for the audio experience.
In recent years, manufacturers have been working to make planar technology more accessible to a larger public. Many high-end headphones made by Hifiman and Audeze have pushed the limits of what’s possible using a planar driver, and many audio enthusiasts are beginning to recognize the advantages of these sophisticated headphones.
The headphones of the Planar brand are known for their superior audio quality and comfort, despite their cost. They are able to compete with other headphone types. In addition, they offer excellent detail retrieval and are able to accurately reproduce musical instruments without sounding overbearing or muddy.
One of the biggest drawbacks to planar headphones is that they are heavy and bulky, making them less portable than other headphone types. In addition, some planar headphones require a high-powered headphone amplifier in order to function at their peak performance levels. This can be a deterrent to those seeking a lightweight and easy-to-use headphone solution. Fortunately, the latest headphones make use of cutting-edge technology to lower the weight of these headphones while preserving their stunning sound quality.
The Benefits
Planar headphones provide superior sound quality, exceeding the limitations of dynamic driver headphones. They allow you to hear the full soundstage with realistic sound quality and space. This is because the flat diaphragm of a planar headphone moves much more air than a conventional cone-shaped diaphragm.
The diaphragms’ large movements create vibrations that produce sounds by constant compression and decompression. The drivers used in Monolith headsets are also extremely energy-efficient since they need only a single coil of wire to vibrate the diaphragm. This helps reduce power consumption and increases the life of your headphones.
Planar drivers are also able to reproduce low-frequency sounds without distortion. The typical headphones employ small, rigid drivers that are subject to extreme stress due to the fact that they must move a large amount of air to reproduce low-frequency sounds. The diaphragm is flat in a pair of headphones can move more air than a standard driver with a flexible range and produces a clean bass response.
Furthermore, the conductor trace on a diaphragm planar allows it to react more evenly with magnetic fields. This results in a lower split vibration than what you would get from traditional dynamic driver headphones and is similar to electrostatic headphones.
Open-back planar headphones leak less sound than dynamic headphones. This is especially useful when listening to music in a public place. This also ensures that your music remains private shielding you from the outside world and allowing you to be lost in your music.
While they are more expensive than dynamic ones but they provide superior sound quality that is worth the investment for many musicians and audiophiles. It’s important to think about your preferences and requirements prior to purchasing a pair of planar headphones. If you prefer image structure, clarity and distinction over punch or slam, then perhaps the planar headphones you’re looking for aren’t right suitable for you. Fortunately, there are several great options that can deliver both slam and planar sound without spending a fortune. Monoprice’s brand new M1060 is one of these affordable headphones that has raked in the rage in the market with its outstanding performance. It has a sleek design, great comfort and a lifetime guarantee.
The Specifics
The sound that you hear from a headphone depends on the way that the light and thin diaphragm inside is made to vibrate. In the majority of headphones the voice coils are encased behind a diaphragm that is flat. Other designs use the planar magnet driver to get the similar result, but using smaller and lighter diaphragm. This lets the headphone produce sounds with less distortion, higher frequency response and more bass.
The first major difference is the position of the conductor trace on the diaphragm. Planar drivers have conductors that are on the flat surface which allows them to respond more equally in the magnetic field than dynamic drivers. This reduces acoustic resonance and pressure buildup and gives the most accurate and natural representation of your music.
Most planar magnetic headphones can be powered by a single source, such as an audio player portable or Planar magnetic drivers headphone amplifiers with a low output impedance. Some models are even made to be solely resistive requiring only the power of a few watts to provide excellent performance. The HIFIMAN Ananda, and Susvara are two examples.
Planar magnetic headphones are an excellent choice for music lovers and audiophiles who appreciate high-resolution listening. They provide excellent clarity and detail for a great listening experience, and are comfortable, lightweight and adaptable. Audeze LCD-5 planar headphones offer these features and more, along with a distinctive design and feel. This pair of open-back headphone reference is made in the USA and is perfect for professional mixing mastering, mixing, or high-resolution audio.
The Bottom Line
Planar headphones are a fascinating design because they overcome many of the limitations of traditional headphone drivers. Planar drivers can create a natural, immersive listening experience thanks to their ultra-thin, magnetically positioned diaphragm. This unique technology offers audiophiles lots, but can be difficult to understand.
In terms of sound quality the sound of planar drivers is 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. However the bass can lack some of that punch and slam that you get from high-end dynamic drivers.
Planar headphones don’t suffer the same distortion as dynamic drivers since their entire diaphragm vibrates when an audio signal is received. This also results in a more consistent audio quality across a larger range of volume, which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. They can also be powered by integrated amps found on most devices. This means they don’t need the same amount of power as high-end headsets.
It’s important to note that planar headphones may have some leakage issues due to the diaphragm’s bidirectional movement. This means that certain sounds will escape from the ear cups, and therefore they’re not recommended in noisy environments.
When looking for headphones that are planar be aware that they are more expensive than traditional dynamic driver models. However the superior performance they provide more than makes up the extra cost.
There are a few brands that have a good reputation for their headphones with a planar design such as Hifiman, Audeze, Dan Clark and Fostex. Each brand has its own approach to acoustics, therefore it is recommended to test a few models prior to purchasing. The Hifiman, for instance, is regarded as one of the most acoustic and affordable planar headphones on the market. It is a planar with an open design headphone that is ideal for those looking to explore the world.