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5 Planar Magnet Projects For Every Budget
Planar Magnetic Vs Dynamic Driver Headphones

Most headphones and IEMs feature a dynamic driver, which uses a cone that is moved back and forth to create sound waves. These headphones are more expensive and have flat diaphragms, but offer a clearer picture.

However, they require more power to drive the big drivers, and may not be suitable for portable devices. This is where the 'punch' and slam comes from, and where they can be a step down for some audiophiles.

The Basics

Planar Magnetic Drivers are quickly becoming a staple in headphones due to their rich sounds and crisp quality. Although they're not as well-known as dynamic driver headphones however, you can find some of the top Planar Magnetic Headphones from big-name brands such as Audeze or Oppo. Planar Magnetic Headphones work on an entirely different model from traditional dynamic driver headphones because they don't use an oscillating voice coil to create vibrations within the diaphragm. Instead, the charged part of the driver is distributed across the flat surface of the diaphragm, which allows for more uniform motion.

Generally speaking, the planar magnetic driver is more effective at producing soundwaves than a dynamic driver due to a simpler mechanism. This can result in higher distortion levels, more accurate responses to transients in music, and a natural soundstage.

While there are a lot of advantages to choosing a pair of headphones with a planar magnetic drive, the technology does come with a few limitations that you must keep in mind. It is important to be aware that these headphones leak more sound than open-back dynamic models. The diaphragm that is flat on headphones that are planar will send sound both ways. In the end, sound waves will leak from the earcups into your surroundings. This is something to take into consideration if you'll be wearing your headphones in public areas or at work.

Another problem is that planar magnetic headphones generally require more power to reach their full potential than other styles of headphones. The diaphragms are large and thin, and require more energy to move uniformly, so they are heavier and more bulky. This is a disadvantage when you want to keep your headphones light and portable.

Planar magnetic headphones might not be as powerful or slam that many listeners would like. This is due to the flat diaphragm doesn't vibrate in the same way as traditional headphones and can't be 'plucked', as some listeners might wish. But, this isn't an unpopular opinion, and there are some high-end planar magnetic headphones (like the HiFiMAN Sundara) that provide excellent image distribution and punch.

If you're willing to overlook these issues and are in the market for a headphone with a unique soundstage and unsurpassed clarity, then these headphones are definitely worth exploring. Just make sure you consider the extra cost and power requirements, as well as their size and weight, prior to making a purchase. The good news is that there are now many excellent planar magnetic headphones at an affordable price, including the renowned HiFiMAN Sundara. This offers a taste of the speed, accuracy, and detail that planar magnetic headphones can offer without breaking the bank.

Advantages

Although there are a lot of excellent headphones that utilize dynamic drivers, many of the top headphones in different price ranges employ planar magnetic technology. These headphones are usually more expensive than dynamic ones however they offer superior performance. They have a wider soundstage, and offer a more immersive listening experience.

To produce vibrations within the diaphragm, planar magnetic headphones employ two or more magnets that are suspended close to the flat surface of the driver, and an conductor trace that runs across the diaphragm. The electrical impulses that travel through these wires induce a magnetic force that reacts with magnets and causes them to vibrate. The resultant force is evenly distributed across the entire diaphragm's surface, which does not produce distortion like dynamic headphones can.

These headphones have a larger soundstage and better transient response than dynamic models. They also can handle audio changes with greater accuracy. Additionally, they have lower resonance and a broader frequency response, which makes them more precise in the bass region than dynamic models and delivering more fuller, richer sound.

Because they are more precise they have a natural and clear sound that attracts audiophiles. This is evident in the clarity and distinctness of their sound and the way that they reproduce the location and stereo balance of instruments. This is especially important when using closed-back designs, such as the HiFiMAN sundara which provide a more realistic and spacious soundstage.

These headphones are also less likely to break, which happens when forces acting on the diaphragm degrade the structure of the diaphragm and cause various points to drift out of sync. This issue could be caused by poor design or manufacturing, and is among the primary reasons why these headphones are considered the most reliable choice.

However, this type of headphone does have some disadvantages. what is a planar headphone requires a lot of power to operate. In turn, they can be heavy and bulky, which could make them less mobile than their more powerful counterparts. They also tend to release more sound, which means that you'll have to be in a closed area to listen without disturbing others. Fortunately, the most recent models come with improved seals and noise isolation to alleviate this issue. It's difficult to decide which type of headphones, planar or dynamic ones are superior. It's based on what you value and what are your top priorities.