11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your Planar Magnetic
Planar Magnetic In-Ear Headphones Planar magnetic headphones (also known as orthodynamic or isodynamic) have earned a reputation in the audiophile community for providing incredible detail and high-quality bass. They also tend to leak outwards, so they require a quiet listening space. They can disturb other people in the vicinity. However, they can provide exceptional sound at an affordable price. Closed or open back? It's not hard to understand why audiophiles love planar magnetic headphones. The top models can provide incredible detail and powerful presence without sounding like they've been distorted. However, they can be expensive and typically require a headphone amplifier to power them. Additionally their open-back designs can bleed sound and allow in ambient noise. So if you're in the search for a pair planar headphones, it's best to carefully consider your preferences and listening habits before making a purchase. The best place to start is to determine whether you'll be using your headphones for casual listening or audiophile quality audio. You'll also need to think about your comfort needs and whether you prefer an open-back or closed-back style. Planar magnetic headphones have always had an advantage in the bass department compared to dynamic driver headphones, as they can reproduce frequencies as low as around 20hz, while dynamic driver headphones operate at around 50hz. However, this difference has diminished over the years as manufacturers have tried to improve the quality of their diaphragms as well as making the rest of the headphones lighter. As a result, the majority of affordable planar magnetic headphones lean away from the most bass-rich sound and focus on clarity in the mids and highs. This means that you might not get as much rumble and punch from these headphones, which may be a problem for certain listeners. One exception to this is the HiFiMAN Venus headphones which are closed-back and use a single-sided diaphragm. They don't go as low yet, but they still offer deep sub-bass tones with a lively texture. The type of headphones you pick will ultimately be based on your preferences for listening as well as your budget. If you're planning on listening to music on your laptop at home and want to listen to music with an open-back pair of planar headphones will probably be the best choice and a closed-back model can be used in the field. If you're planning to use your headphones for gaming purposes, an open-back version like the Audeze LCD-2 Classics may be superior to a model that has a closed-back design such as the HiFiMan Susvara 2020. If you're a music lover, any of these headphones will offer the full audio spectrum and incredible detail you're looking for. Bass response Planar magnetic headphones create sound using a distinct technique than traditional dynamic driver in ear monitors (IEM). Instead of a single magnet that pushes the diaphragm to create audio, these headphones feature two opposing magnetic fields encased around an electrified film. This creates a wider, more natural sound wavefront with lower distortion. This enables a faster response time and a greater frequency range than conventional dynamic drivers. The variation in bass response is evident. High-end dynamic headphones can go beyond 20hz, while most planar headphones can be capable of going further and have less distortion. This makes a huge difference for audiophiles and lets them enjoy the best in-ear listening experience. Another way that planar headphones can improve the audio quality is by imaging. Dynamic drivers are only able to vibrate the portion of the diaphragm attached to the voice coil, which can result in small distortions that alter the audio reproduction. In contrast, planar drivers are able to produce a fuller soundstage because the entire diaphragm vibrates in response to an audio signal. This allows the headphones to accurately reproduce the stereo balance, and transparency of instruments exactly as meant by the audio producer. The downside of this is that open-back headphones such as the HIFIMAN Ananda and Monoprice M1070 don't block out sound, meaning that anyone near you can hear your music. But it's a small sacrifice for the incredible clarity and detail you'll enjoy. The leakage of headphones in planar models is greater than open-back dynamic ones due to the fact that they have two magnetic fields that are at odds. This could be a major problem for people who want to listen to music in a quiet environment or who are concerned about causing disturbance to others who are around them. If you're worried about leakage, you can reduce the issue by using earpads that wrap around your ears to provide additional isolation. Sensitivity Contrary to traditional dynamic drivers which include a speaker cone or dome behind which the voice coil vibrates, planar headphones have incredibly thin membranes that are imprinted with conductors, and strung across magnetic arrays that move them at lightning speed. This allows them to provide high-frequency response that most moving-coil headphones struggle with, and an unbeatable bass that's clear and deep down to the lowest frequencies. However, while they excel at low frequencies, the cheapest over-ear magnetic headphones are often lacking in acoustic accuracy that could make them ideal for mixing or high-fidelity listening. The diaphragms' flatness makes it impossible to drive them in a symmetrical manner like a moving coil headphone. To get a pair with a great treble sound you'll have to spend more than 500 dollars. Boutique audio brands tend to offer models that are priced at a reasonable price and sound great. One example is the Meze Elite, a pair of closed-back headphones that use one-sided magnetic arrays to provide a more immersive listening experience. They have a 90dB sensitivty and a 35ohm resistance, which should work with all consumer audio devices. They also come in a stunning range of exotic woods and materials, which means they look as high-end as they sound. The HiFiMAN HE-560s, for instance they are 30 percent lighter than their competitors thanks to a unique magnetic structure and a range of other design innovations. This includes a patented design that minimizes wave-diffraction. This means they are able to be driven more efficiently and cause less distortion than double-sided models. The HE-560s are more expensive because of many of the same advancements. If you're willing to spend more, you'll get to experience a full range musical emotions. From the low-frequency rumbles of a thunderstorm to the shimmering of the cymbals that you hear in your favorite song. A set of quality planars can transform your music with their outstanding sound. It is essential to choose the right model according to your budget and requirements. Comfort If you enjoy listening to music, upgrading to a high-end pair of headphones can greatly improve your audio experience. The best planar magnetic headphones offer a level of clarity and detail that you won't find in lower-end headphones. No matter if you go with an over-ear model, such as the HiFiMan Sundara or an in-ear model that is portable like the CCA PLA 13, these headphones will bring new life to your favorite songs. Planar magnetic headphones are also very heavy due to their large ear cups. They typically require an additional headphone amplifier. Fortunately, magnetic earphones of boutique headphone brands have developed their headphones to provide exceptional audio quality in a compact package. The OPPO PM-3, for instance, is a lightweight closed-back magnetic headphone that can be folded flat and comes with a selvedge-denim carrying case, making it simple to take with you on the go. A lot of planar magnetic headphones are bulky and uncomfortable for prolonged wear because of their larger earcups. The majority of models come with ample padding, and are calibrated to the perfect clamping pressure to ensure a comfortable fit. The OPPO PM-3 is no exception, with ultra-soft ear pads and suspension bands that evenly distribute weight evenly across the head and ears. Planar magnetic driver systems unlike dynamic drivers, use large flexible diaphragms for mid-range and bass sound. This allows them to move much greater volumes of air than their stiffer counterparts without experiencing the massive excursions that can damage and warp conventional dynamic drivers. This results in an even, smooth response that is accompanied by amazing bass clarity and depth. Another advantage of planar magnetic headphones is their lower distortion and higher efficiency than most dynamic headphones. This makes them perfect for listening to music at high volumes without sacrificing comfort or clarity. While some of them require an external headphone amplifier They are designed to be as efficient as possible and work with nearly any audio source. In the end, deciding if planar magnetic in ear headphones are worth the price depends on personal preferences and budget constraints. The top planar headphones are capable of reproducing amazing bass and clarity, without ever slipping into distortion. However they can be costly to drive and require more power. They are also typically open-back designs, which may let in ambient noise and bleed noise.