The Unspoken Secrets Of How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work

How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic headphones are less dispersed than dynamic drivers. This is because the whole diaphragm moves rather than just the portion that is that is connected to the voice coil.

They also have a wider soundstage, which is better separated and differentiation capabilities. However, they leak more, and require isolation to keep from disturbing those around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial element in nearly every audio transducer (headphones, loudspeakers and microphones included) that is used to move air to create sound waves. In headphones it's a flat part of diaphragm, suspended between two magnets that produce an electromagnetic field when stimulated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphones the current of electricity emanating from the headphone's source is transferred to the diaphragm via the coil, which generates magnetic force, which causes it to vibrate.

The sound generated is transferred to your ear via the diaphragm's suspension, which is typically made from an artificial material, such as titanium or neodymium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at various frequency. Planar magnetic headphones can deliver high SPLs, without sounding like they are distorted.

Planar magnetic headphones are not only able to reproduce high SPLs but also offer an enhanced soundstage. This is because the flat diaphragm produces a planar wavefront instead of the spherical-focused wavefront you find in many dynamic drivers. The headphones produce an overall soundstage that is more natural that is easier to localize.

Transient response is another benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is due to the ability of planar magnetic headphones to reproduce peaks that last only a few seconds, like cymbal strikes and kick drum hits. The huge diaphragm's size and the fact that it moves evenly across its surface ensures that there is no distortion at these peaks.

Planar magnetic headphones come with a few disadvantages you should take into account when selecting a set.  Info  of the main reasons for their higher price is that they are typically more expensive than their counterparts with dynamic features. The main reason for this is the complexity of the drivers and the image of the brand.

Fortunately, there are great affordable planar magnetic headphones that you can purchase for under $100. In addition to their exceptional performance, these headphones come in closed-back and open-back styles, so you can choose which one fits your preferences for listening. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their precision and accuracy providing exceptional detail and clarity across the entire frequency range. This is largely due to their thin, flat diaphragm that's sandwiched between two arrays magnets. When an electrical signal is sent through your audio source, the material that conducts it's windings inside the voice coil are able to interact with the magnetic field and cause the diaphragm's surface to vibrate creating sound waves.

The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration happens at the same speed and is consistent, no matter where the diaphragm lies within the magnetic field. This results in a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It's also easier to listen to. Contrary to this dynamic drivers tend to create a more spherical sound wavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.

Due to the way in which they operate they require a more powerful amplifier system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also larger and heavier because they have to accommodate an extra large, flexible diaphragm. In turn, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to enable them.

In addition the planar magnetic drivers are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts due to the fact that they are typically constructed from top-quality materials. In recent times, however, a few HiFi audio headphone makers have revived this old technology. We're now witnessing a myriad of new headphones that feature planar magnetic drivers, which provide an exceptional listening experience.

As with everything else in life, the choice between dynamic and planar magnetic headphones comes down to the individual's preferences and budget. The headphones with a magnetic design have a slightly more spacious sound stage than dynamic ones and are known for their exceptional quality and precision. Dynamic headphones are more expensive, but they offer a more powerful bass and a more rounded sound quality.

In general dynamic driver headphones offer some more slam and punch than the planar magnetic ones, but the differences aren't often apparent to most listeners. They are also better at capturing the structure and differentiation. There are exceptions to the rule. The best planar-magnetic headsets can be bought at affordable cost.

The magnets

In a typical headphone with a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your source of audio travel through a conductory material that interacts with the magnetic fields inside the driver. These are used to bend the diaphragm's shape and produce sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones, on the other hand make use of a thin layer of conductive material that's sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They are more difficult to make, which is why they're more expensive.

A larger and heavier design is also the result of the necessity for more space around the drivers. They also use more power than their dynamic counterparts, which means they'll require a dedicated headphone amplifier to fully utilize their potential. Although this isn't a constant issue, it's something you should keep in mind when considering these headphones.

While it's not true for all headphones, a lot of the top magnetic headphones that are planar will have an open and airy sound than their more dynamic counterparts. This gives them an airy feel that can be very appealing to some listeners. They also offer a larger soundstage, which is useful when listening to music with other people.

The open-back design is a favorite option for a variety of designer headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. They're not as popular as closed-back headphones but they're a great opportunity to experience planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example is a fantastic opportunity to feel the speed, precision and clarity of these headphones.

The housing

If you're an avid audiophile or just someone who enjoys music, odds are you've heard of magnetic headphones that planar. They have a distinctive look, with flat diaphragms that are embedded into the headphone. They are available in open-back and over-ear models. In addition to their unique design, these headphones also employ different working principles as that are different from dynamic drivers.

In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver, which uses a voice coil to generate sound waves Planar magnetic headphones employ magnets that move the diaphragm in a circular motion to generate sound. Based on the configuration, these arrays may be situated on one or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields that interact with the magnets at the opposite side of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms push and pull against the magnetic fields. The audio signal is represented using sound waves.

This is why headphones made of planar magnetics typically sound richer and have better bass extension capabilities. The big, flat diaphragm reacts much quicker to changes in the input signal, so they can respond faster to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This results in a more controlled, tight sound that audiophiles enjoy.

These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies but lack the punch and slam that modern dynamic driver headphones can provide. This means that they may be a bit more difficult to listen to for those who are looking to use them to listen to metal or hard rock music.

Planar magnetic headphones are expensive because of their unique design. The drivers are powered by an audio digital converter and a separate amplifier. This can add up to an increase in cost for some consumers, but many people believe the sound is worth the cost. There are a variety of headphones that are available to those who do not need to spend a lot.