best planar magnetic Headphones, www.40billion.com, Under $1000
A planar magnetic set is a great alternative for music lovers who want to upgrade their headphones. However, they can also be quite expensive.
There are plenty of excellent options that are less than the $1000 mark. In this article, we’ll examine the top budget-friendly headphones that will give you an unforgettable listening experience.
1. Beyerdynamic T1
Beyerdynamic is a cutting-edge German brand when it comes to headphones. The Beyerdynamic T1 has a classic design and is made of high-quality materials that make it an absolute pleasure to wear. The soft headband as well as the replaceable earpads make them very comfortable. They might feel a bit rough on the skin at first but they quickly meld to the head and ear and provide long listening sessions without discomfort.
The T1 is a natural sound with a controlled but elevated bass and clean mids. The highs can be extremely detailed and sparkly, but they may be too much for those who prefer a more gentle bass. They are an excellent pair of headphones for demanding listening, and perform best at medium to low volumes. They can keep their balance even when playing abrasive music like black metal or Best Planar Magnetic Headphones death metal, and will not be overpowered by the crash of cymbals.
Another great feature is the T1’s exceptional dynamic range. It can reproduce extreme variations between louder and quieter tracks with a perfect clarity and accuracy. They are a fantastic choice for musicians who wish to listen to every nuance and detail of their instrument and audiophiles who like the ability to differentiate between different instruments within the same song.
A nice touch is the gold-plated connectors and the Beyerdynamic logo on the earcup. This is a sign of quality and an assurance that you are receiving a top-quality product. They come with a hard-case case that will protect the headphone even when not in use. Included is a detachable cable and an adapter of quarter inch.
The Beyerdynamic T1 is not designed to be used on the go since it is a closed-back design. They aren’t able to keep you safe from everyday noises like traffic jams or children’s alarm clocks, nor will they annoy spouses. They are not designed to be used for athletic activities such as running around with them because the ear cups are large and can easily fall off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p features an open-back design similar to the T5p, but with the ear cups being slightly smaller, so they may be a better option for listening on the move.
2. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is the latest iteration of HIFIMAN’s popular mid-range open-back headphones. The Nano is a quantum leap ahead of the original Ananda, featuring a new nanometer-thick diaphragm with an invisible magnet to improve clarity. These features were included on the ultra-high-end Susvara headphones. These features promise extremely low distortion and a lightning-fast transient response and significantly improved dynamics and details.
The resulting soundstage is large and deep, allowing for excellent separation of vocals and instruments. The Nano has a warm, rich sound with a high point in the upper mids, making it ideal for hip-hop rock, and pop.
This emphasis on the upper mids does come with some drawbacks, though. This can result in a muddy sound in the higher registers, where some detail is lost. This also means that the Nano isn’t the best choice for classical music, as the lower mids tend to get shadowed by the bass.
Bass is powerful and punchy and has good timbre in the low-end and great dynamics and slam. It’s a bit more full than the original Ananda bass, which is perfect for modern music such as rock, pop, and gaming. But it offers plenty of rumble for audiophiles who prefer a more natural sound to their bass.
As one would expect leakage is not a good thing for headphones with an open back. It can be a problem when in noisy environments. The headphone also doesn’t have a microphone, so you won’t be able to use it for calls from mobile phones.
The HIFIMAN Nano is a great option for those looking for an open-back magnetic planar headphone that’s priced under $1000. It’s a great upgrade from the previous model, and is worth checking out. The Ananda Nano is available with a travel case, which is an important addition for audiophiles who wish to listen to music wherever they go. The case is big enough to accommodate the Ananda Nano with its cable, as well as a small DAC/player. In the box you will also find a carrying pouch. The headphones are well-made and durable, and come with a three-year warranty.
3. Hifiman Edition XS
HIFIMAN’s Edition X created a lot of buzz in the audiophile world when it was first introduced. Now, the company has applied the same technology to a smaller, less expensive headphone that is positioned between the Sundara and the Ananda. The Edition XS uses the same aerodynamically-shaped stealth magnets and a thin “Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm” to guarantee fast response time with minimal distortion.
As with all HIFIMAN products, these headphones are extremely well-built. They are durable enough to withstand heavy usage and are extremely comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The cups are made with an anti-resonant fabric to minimize the sound. A tangle-free cord with a straight plug is included in the box, along with an accessory stand for the headphones that can also serve as a storage case that can be used for the headphones.
The Edition XS is a very excellent planar magnetic headphone that offers excellent detail resolution. You’ll hear details in your music you wouldn’t have heard before. You may also find flaws you would not have noticed in other headphones. They have outstanding imaging and an impressive soundstage that can fill a large room with crisp, 3D clarity.
These headphones are balanced and neutral and can be used with any type of music. They have great mids and reproduce vocals and lead instruments accurately, although they may lack a bit of energy and rumble in their bass. They have clear high frequencies that are precise, but may sound too bright to some listeners.
The HIFIMAN Edition XS can be a great choice for those looking for an open-backed planar magnetic headphone that is suitable for noisy environments, but doesn’t need much power. The low impedance (18O) makes it simple to drive with almost all DAC or headphone amplifier, but you’ll probably get the best results with an audio interface that incorporates a headphone amp. They’re not the most compact planars headphones, and aren’t the most compact to carry around, but they come with a comfortable pouch that can be used for travel. They’re also more expensive than other options on this list, but their sound quality and features are worth the price.
4. Audeze LCD-5
The Audeze LCD-5 planar magnetic headphones are the latest flagship model from the company. The design is completely brand new and features a brand new driver and magnetic structure. This is a significant upgrade to their previous headphone model and places the LCD-5 at the top of the market for personal audio. The LCD-5’s drivers are ultra-thin Nano-Scale diaphragms that are paired with a brand new technology for voice coils called Parallel Uniforce and Fazor waveguides. These new features work together to control the diaphragm’s movement and deliver a high-resolution.
In addition the earpads of the LCD-5 are designed to fit a larger range of head sizes. The LCD-5s are more comfortable than previous models because the pads are made from an elastic material and the headband is also lighter and tinier. They do clamp a bit more than other Audeze headphones, and they may also be a little tight on some, but this may resolve with use.
Audeze’s LCD series has been a benchmark for planar magnetic headphone performance. Their flagship LCD-2 introduced the modern time of high-fidelity audio. It was followed by the LCD-3 and LCD-4. The LCD-5 continues the trend by making enhancements to every aspect of the headphones’ sound quality and design.
In comparison to the LCD-2, the LCD-5’s sound is more refined and less abrasive in its presentation. This is due to the increased concentration on mid-range detail retrieval as well as surgical treble accuracy and microdetail retrieval. The LCD-5s are still able to provide huge dynamic range with a full-bodied bass. But they’re not as punchy as the likes of an Abyss AB-1266 or Hifiman HE1000SE, and often need a bit of EQing to sound their best.
Overall, the Audeze LCD-5 is an outstanding set of headphones with an incredible sound quality and impressive quality of construction. They’re not for everyone, but if you have the money and want a premium headphone that will give you a dazzling listening experience, look no further than the LCD-5. It’s worth every cent.