The most effective planar headphones have premium design and top-quality audio. They don’t require any special amp to fully unlock their potential and are highly mobile.
Contrary to traditional dynamic drivers planar magnetic headphones utilize thin membranes that are infused with conductors and strung across a variety of magnets to manipulate sound waves at incredible speeds. This creates an extremely clear, crisp audio quality that is suitable for EQ tuning.
Sundara Headphones by HiFiMAN
The Sundara is an open-back pair of headphones that provide excellent sound reproduction. These headphones are manufactured by HiFiMAN and use planar magnet drivers to deliver an uncluttered and clear sound with a rapid transient response. The headphones feature the frequency range of 6Hz to75kHz and an impedance range of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for audiophiles who like listening to classical music or jazz as well as other genres of music.
They have excellent spatial imaging and a stunning soundstage that will immerse you in the music. The Sundara also has a solid bass response that is deep and well-textured. It’s not as powerful as other headphones, but it packs a nice punch. It has a great treble response, which isn’t too bright or veiled.
In terms of clarity, the Sundara is one of the top headphones available at this price. Its tonality is neutral, and has a slight hint of planar timbre. It also has good mid-range detail and superb placement definition. It is lacking some low-end rumble. Equalization could help make up for this.
Compared to the HIFIMAN HE400se, the Sundara has a better control over its dynamic range and is more accurate in its response to treble. They have a wider soundstage, which makes them an ideal option for listening at home.
The Sundara is a classy design with large round ear cups with faux leather padding, and a premium appearance. They are light and comfortable to wear and they have a rigid headband that sits comfortably on the head. They also come with an elongated cable that is easy to wrap around your neck. They do not block out outside noise therefore they are not a good choice for commuters. They require a lot of power to function, which is why they’re not ideal for devices that are portable.
The HIFIMAN sundara is a headphone that is neutral and has a neutral sound. However it’s not the most comfortable headphone to wear for long periods of time. It’s not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X but it has a slightly lower, more subtle sound and treble response. Its bass is more powerful than the DT 900 but does not cause distortion or overpower. The treble is also precise and smooth.
HIFIMAN HE400SE
HiFiMAN is among the most popular personal audio brands that pride themselves in bringing cutting-edge technologies to the market. The company is best known for their highly acclaimed headphones with planar magnetic technology that boast modern driver technology. Their latest offering is the HE400SE it is an update to the well-loved HE400s model that has caught the attention of audiophiles. This headphone features an improved Stealth Magnet design that is designed to minimize wave diffraction turbulence and ensure that the sound is pure.
The HE400SE has the same HiFiMAN sound quality at a more affordable price. It’s light, comfortable and provides a decent amount of sound isolation through passive sources. The headband has been designed to provide a more ergonomic fit, and the cups are made from light but durable materials. The earpads are soft and feel comfortable on the ears. The HE400SE also has a cable that can be disengaged to make it easy to connect.
As you might imagine as you would expect, the HE400SE is able to produce an excellent bass response. The sub-bass is well rumbled and low frequencies sound great. Drums and other percussion instruments have a pleasing sound. The HE400SE also provides high-quality midrange clarity as well as natural vocals. Male voices are crisp and clear without sounding too thin or brittle.
The HE400SE is not without limitations. Its imaging capabilities are limited and the soundstage isn’t as wide as other headphones. The HiFiMan Ananda is a sister model that offers better separation of instruments and a more three-dimensional sound.
The HE400SE is a great entry into the world of planar magnetic headphones. It is an excellent choice for music lovers on a budget. It is a bit more pricey than some of its rivals, but it delivers the kind of sound that most other headphones in this category can’t beat. It’s also worth noting that the HE400SE can compete with top-of-the-line planars, such as the Audeze Clementine DLX and Monolith M570 for less than half the price of the earlier.
Sivga P-II
The Sivga Planar P-II has an elegant open back design and a fantastic sound. It features a 97mm*76mm magnetic diaphragm planar unit on each side, and it produces an impressive output that is complemented by stunning detail retrieval. It features a powerful lower end, life-like natural vocals, and a smooth, detailed Treble section.
It took three years to design this premium product, which is the result of research, tuning and innovation. It utilizes premium natural solid walnut wood as a headphone chamber, local and is affixed to traditional craftsmanship to ensure that every aspect is carefully planned and made.
Utilizing high-end materials and the modern technology using the highest-quality materials and the latest technology, the P-II delivers the best possible audio quality. The soft earpads are lined with protein leather and have a low clamping force, which makes it comfortable for long listening sessions. The wooden frame feels premium and sturdy, and has a great weight to it. The cable is made from 6N single-crystal copper, which is soft, tangle-resistant and does not make any noise.
The SIVGA P-II has a very well-balanced upper midrange tone that sounds neither dull nor bright, and isn’t subject to issues like muddiness, or mixings. Female vocals sound extremely soft and supple. Pianos, for instance, have a full-bodied tones and sweat without being harsh.
This is an excellent choice for those who are seeking a high-quality open-back headphone for a reasonable cost. It also has excellent audio quality. The SIVGA P-II has an impressive impedance of 32ohm and the sensitivity is 98dB, which means it can be driven by Portable Players with sufficient power, such as the FiiO M11 Pro or the iBasso DX220. It also has a very high dynamic range and a rich, warm and lively sound.
The SIVGA has a huge soundstage and a great bass response. The bass is powerful and deep, as well as having a great extension. It has a deep and deep midrange, which is ideal for listening to classical music.
HiFiMAN Deva Pro
The Deva Pro is a new headphone by HiFiMAN that brings the company’s high-end tech to a more affordable experience. It has a diaphragm that’s 20% thinner than previous models, which allows for faster transient response and better audio quality. The headphones are also comfortable to wear, a major selling point for planars as they can be worn for extended periods of time without feeling fatigued.
The earpads are constructed of a soft and long-lasting fabric which prevents sweat build-up when you listen for long periods of time. The headband can be adjusted to your head shape. The Deva Pro’s soundstage is very expansive and clear and has a great feeling of flow. Its mids are particularly impressive, as they provide good vocal projection and a smooth and relaxed tone. However, the bass is slightly less tight and accurate than some other planars.
Comparatively to other HiFiMAN planars, the Deva Pro sounds warmer and more natural, even though it doesn’t offer as much analytical detail. The mids are the most impressive element of the sound, bringing together all the instruments and vocals into an impressively large soundstage. The bass is strong and full but sometimes lacks the physical rumble that certain headphones offer.
The Deva Pro is good at managing bass, but it could be more precise with its tuning. Overall, it sounds very excellent and is a worthy competitor to more expensive models.
HiFiMAN has simplified their appearance to all of their products nowadays, and the Deva Pro is no exception. They are available in an elegant black, silver and silver color scheme, and their packaging is designed to be minimalist. They also include a Bluemini R2R adapter, which makes them a true hybrid headphone.
The Deva Pro, the latest in the HiFiMAN series of headphones, features their “Stealth Magnet”, which reduces distortion by reducing diffraction. The new design utilizes round magnets which are placed to not interrupt the sound waves. This has a small impact on the audio. Users have reported that mid-range detail and local high-frequency detail are improved.