How a Planar Magnetic Diaphragm Headphone Driver Works
Traditionally, dynamic drivers have a voice coil attached to the middle of the conical diaphragm. When an electrical signal flows through a voice coil the diaphragm moves.
However, the force applied is limited to a small area, making it difficult for different points on the diaphragms to move at the same at the same time. This causes breakup modes which can cause distortion.
Sound Detail
Many audiophiles are looking to get a detailed sound from their headphones. One method to achieve this is with a planar magnetic diaphragm. This type of headphone operates similarly to cone drivers that are dynamic, but with much more modern technology.
A planar diaphragm is a flat piece of material that is embedded within the frame of a headphone and constructed of a light and light material. It is designed to be as uniform and flat as possible. This enables an even pressure distribution across the entire surface.
The flat shape of a planar magnetic diaphragm also allows for a more controlled soundstage. A more focused wavefront can result in better sound staging that can help identify the exact location of an instrument or vocal on the track. This is a major advantage over the more spherical waves typical of dynamic drivers.
A planar diaphragm is different from traditional dynamic drivers which use a voice-coil attached to the cone’s central point composed of plastic or paper. Instead, it employs a series magnets on either side of its flat surface. The electrical current flowing through the voice coil interacts with the magnets to cause the diaphragm, which causes it to vibrate and create sound. The entire diaphragm is controlled simultaneously. This eliminates breakup modes, mechanical filters, transmission delays and local resonances that could have a negative impact on sound quality.
A diaphragm that is flat and uniform is also capable of accelerating more quickly than the thicker and heavier ones used in dynamic drivers. Physics laws state that force is proportional to acceleration and mass so the faster a diaphragm is able to move and the greater power it can exert. This gives planar magnet drivers a more accurate response to bass as well as superior detail retrieval.
The advantages of a planar magnetic driver are not without cost. They cost more than dynamic drivers due to the fact that they feature a huge diaphragm as well as a complex motor. They also require a stronger amplifier to work properly. However, a lot of manufacturers of planar magnetic headphones can make use of their technology to create premium headphones that are priced competitively. Some examples include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara.
High Sensitivity
The planar driver differs from the moving coil drivers found in the majority of headphones and IEMs in that it uses a flat diaphragm, instead of a traditional cone or dome shaped membrane. When an electrical signal travels through it, it interacts with magnets on both sides of the diaphragm. It produces sound waves by bouncing the diaphragm. The diaphragm that is flat is able to respond quickly to sound and it can produce a wide range of frequencies ranging from lows to highs.
Planar magnetic headphones are more sensitive than other headphone drivers which utilize diaphragms that are many times larger than a standard planar design. This lets you be able to hear every detail in your music.
Additionally the planar magnetic drivers provide a very uniform driving force across the entire diaphragm, which eliminates breakup points and produces a smooth sound that’s free of distortion. This is especially crucial for high-frequency sounds where breakup can be audible and Planar driver distracting. This is achieved in FT5 by making use of a material called polyimide which is both ultralight and durable, as well as a sophisticated conductor design that eliminates intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.
The OPPO’s planar magnetic driver also have a higher degree of phase coherence, which means that when a wavefront strikes our ear canal, it has an unaltered, flat shape. Dynamic drivers have a spherical-shaped wavefront, which disrupts the coherence of the signal, which result in less-than-perfect reconstructions the highest frequencies, particularly at high frequency. This is another reason that OPPO’s headphones planar sound so realistic and natural, as well as extremely precise.
Wide Frequency Response
Planar magnetic diaphragms have the ability to reproduce sounds at much higher frequencies than traditional drivers. This is because their diaphragm is thin and light in weight. is very precise in its movement. They can deliver a high-quality transient response. This makes them a great option for audiophiles who are looking for headphones and speakers that reproduce the most precise details of music.
The flat structure also gives them a more even soundstage than headphones that use dynamic drivers that are coiled. They are also less prone to leakage – the sound that escapes from the headphone cups into the surrounding environment. In some cases, this is a problem because it can distract listeners and affect their concentration when listening to music. In some instances this could be a problem since it can cause listeners to lose focus and distract their focus when listening to music.
Instead of using an underlying diaphragm that’s shaped like cones the planar magnetic headsets feature an array printed on a thin film of the diaphragm. The conductor is hung between two magnets. When an electrical signal is applied, it becomes electromagnetic and causes the magnetic forces that are on either side of the diaphragm interact with each other. This is what causes the diaphragm to vibrate, resulting in the sound wave.
The smooth movement of the diaphragm, which is lightweight, and the fact that the force is evenly distributed across its surface which means distortion is incredibly low. This is an improvement over traditional dynamic drivers that are known for causing distortion at very high levels of listening.
Some premium headphones utilize the old-fashioned moving coil design. However, the majority of HiFi audiophiles are now adopting this long-forgotten technology to create a new generation planar magnetic headphones that sound amazing. Certain models require a premium amp to power them. But for those who are able to afford it, they provide an experience unlike any other headphones. They offer a rich and detailed sound that is free of the distortion that is common in other headphone models.
Minimal Inertia
Due to their construction, planar magnetic diaphragms are extremely light and move much faster than traditional drivers. They reproduce audio signals with greater precision and can be tuned to a larger range. They also provide natural sound with less distortion than traditional loudspeakers.
The dual rows of magnets inside a planar driver produce equal and uniform magnetic forces across the entire surface of the diaphragm. This eliminates unwanted and unnecessary distortion. Because the force applied to the diaphragm’s light weight is evenly distributed it is able to be controlled more precisely. This lets the diaphragm move in an exact pistonic motion.
They also have the capability of achieving extremely high levels in performance with very little weight. This makes them perfect for portable headphone. They can also be designed to provide a variety in frequencies, ranging from low-frequency sounds to high-frequency ones. The high frequency response and the precise sound reproduction make them a popular choice for audio professionals.
Planar magnetic drivers differ from dynamic drivers which use coils to push the diaphragm. They do not have any mechanical components that could cause distortion. This is due to the fact that the conductors’ flat array rests directly on the diaphragm rather than within a coil behind it.
In contrast the slim and light diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver may be driven by a strong magnetic field without loss of energy. The diaphragm, which is an extremely thin and lightweight membrane, is driven by an electric field that creates an unchanging pressure. This prevents it from deforming or causing distortion.
The moment of inertia defines the resistance to rotation of an object. The formula I = mr2 may be used to calculate it. The shape of the object influences its minimum moment of inertia with longer and thinner objects having lower moments of inertia than larger and thicker ones.