How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work: The Secret Life Of How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work
How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work? Planar magnetic headphones are less distortion-free than dynamic drivers. This is because the whole diaphragm vibrates rather than just the portion that is connected to the voice coil. They also have a larger soundstage with better instrument separation and differentiation capabilities. However, they leak a little more, and require isolation to keep from disturbing those near you. The diaphragm The diaphragm is an essential element in nearly every audio transducer (headphones, loudspeakers and microphones comprising) that is used to move air to create sound waves. In headphones, it's a flat piece of diaphragm, suspended between two magnets that create 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 by way of a coil that generates an electric force that causes it to vibrate. The diaphragm suspension consists of neodymium, titanium, or other artificial materials. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at various frequency. Unlike dynamic drivers that are used in planar headphones, planar magnetic headphones can provide very high SPLs without sounding muffled or distorted. In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a more immersive soundstage. planar magnetic headphones audeze for this is because the flat diaphragm produces a planar sound wavefront, instead of the focused spherical wavefront found in most dynamic drivers. This means that the headphones provide an unnatural soundstage that's more easily to locate. Another benefit of the planar magnetic headphones is their excellent transient response. This is the ability to recreate peaks that last only a few seconds in audio signals, for example crashes of cymbals and kick drum hits. The huge size of the diaphragm and the fact that it's able to move in a uniform manner across its surface ensures that there's no distortion in these high points. However, these headphones do have some drawbacks which should be taken into account when selecting a set. One of them is that they are usually much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. The main reason is the complexity of the drivers as well as the image of the brand. There are many budget-friendly planar magnets that cost less than $100. These headphones are available in both close-back and open-back styles. You can pick the one that is most suitable for your preferences in music. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the top options on the market. The voice coil Planar magnetic headphones are known for their precision and accuracy with exceptional detail and clarity across the entire frequency range. This is mostly due to their thin, flat diaphragm that's sandwiched between two arrays magnets. When an electrical signal from your source of audio is sent to the vocal coil, the conductive materials that wind the vocal coil interact with the magnet field and cause the dialyms to vibrate. This produces sound waves. The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration happens at the same rate and is consistent regardless of the location of the diaphragm in the magnetic field. This produces a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It is also easier on the ear. Dynamic drivers on the other hand, tend to produce sound waves that are less uniform and more circular. Planar magnetic drivers because of the way they operate requires a stronger amplification system. They are also heavier and bulkier due to their larger and more flexible membrane. As a result, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to enable them. Additionally that, planar magnetic drivers are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts due to the fact that they're usually made of high-end materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have started to revive this old technology in recent years. As a result, we're seeing a number of amazing new headphones that feature planar magnetic drivers that offer an amazing listening experience. As with everything else in life, the decision between dynamic and planar magnetic headphones comes down to personal preference and budget. Planar magnetic headphones offer a somewhat larger soundstage than dynamic models and are renowned for their incredible detail and accuracy. However, they are typically more expensive and many listeners prefer the punchy bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones. Dynamic driver headphones tend to have more heft and slam, however this isn't often noticed by listeners. They also have better clarity and imaging. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule and some great headphones that are planar-magnetic can be found at a reasonable price. The magnets In a headphone with dynamic driver, electrical signals from the source of your audio are transmitted through a coil of conductive materials that interact with magnetic fields within the driver. They are then used to manipulate the flat diaphragm and create 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. This makes them more difficult to manufacture, which is one of the reasons they're often more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. They are also bigger and heavier because of their design which requires more space around the drivers. They also consume more power than their dynamic counterparts which means that they'll require an amp specifically designed for headphone use to maximize their performance. While this isn't always a issue, it's something to be aware of when thinking about these headphones. It's not true for all headphones but many of the best planar magnet headphones have a more open, airy sound. This gives them the impression that they are in a larger space which can be appealing to certain listeners. They also have a bigger soundstage, which is useful when listening to music together with others. The open-back design is a common option for a number of designer headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. They're not as popular as closed-back headphones, but they are a great way to test the benefits of planar magnetic technology. For example the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy, and detail of these headphones at an affordable cost. The housing You might have heard of planar magnet headphones if you are an audiophile or even if you just enjoy good music. They sport a distinct look with a flat diaphragm embedded, which can be found in both open-back and over-ear headphones. These headphones are not only unique in appearance, but also work using a different mechanism than dynamic drivers. In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver that uses a voice coil to generate sound waves the planar magnetic headphones utilize an array of magnets that move the diaphragm in a circular motion to generate sound. The arrays can be placed on one or both sides based on the design. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal travels through the voice coil and causes it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields that interact with the magnets at the opposite side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to pull and push. This creates sound waves that are the audio signal. Planar magnetic headphones can create a deeper sound and better bass extension. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds more quickly to changes in input signals, which means they can respond faster to bass response, and are less susceptible to distortion. This gives them a tighter, more controlled sound that many audiophiles appreciate. These headphones can reproduce higher frequencies, but do not have the slam and punch modern dynamic driver headphones offer. They aren't the best choice for those who prefer to listen to metal or hard rock music. Planar magnetic headphones are expensive due to their unique design. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converters to power the drivers. This could result in a significant cost increase for some buyers, however many people think the sound quality is worth it. There are a variety of headphones for those who don't need to spend a lot.