Its History Of How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work
How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
Planar magnetic headphones are less distorted than dynamic drivers. This is because the whole diaphragm moves rather than just the portion connected to the voice coil.
They also have a larger soundstage, with better separation of instruments and differentiation capabilities. They leak more and require isolation to prevent disrupting the people around you.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm plays a crucial role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that move air to produce sound. In headphones it's a flat piece of diaphragm, suspended between two magnets which create an electromagnetic field when stimulated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphone, the current of electricity from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm by a coil. This coil generates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm to move.
The sound is transferred to your ear via the diaphragm's suspension. It is usually made of an artificial material such as titanium or neodymium. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequency. Planar magnetic headphones can provide high SPLs, but without sounding like they are distorted.
In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs and high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a more immersive soundstage. This is because the flat diaphragm generates the planar wavefront rather than the spherical focused wavefront found in many dynamic drivers. As a result, the headphones deliver an enveloping soundstage that is easier to localize.
why not try this out is yet another benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is because they can recreate peaks that last only a few seconds in audio signals, for example the cymbal crash and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is huge and moves evenly across the surface, ensuring there's no distortion once peak levels are reached.
However, the planar magnetic headphones have a few drawbacks that should be considered when deciding on the right set. They tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their engines which can be complex, as well as the heritage of the brand behind them.
Fortunately, there are some fantastic, low-cost planar magnetic headphones that can be purchased for under $100. These headphones are available in closed-back and open-back styles. You can choose the one that best suits your listening preferences. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the best options available.
The voice coil
Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and precision across the entire range of frequencies. This is due to the flat, thin diaphragm sandwiched between magnet arrays. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted to the vocal coil, the conductive materials windings of the vocal coil are able to interact with the magnet field and cause the dialym to vibrate. This results in sound waves.
The benefit of a planar driver is that every vibration occurs evenly and at the same rate regardless of where the diaphragm is situated within the magnetic field. This ensures a uniform sound quality with less distortion and an even wavefront that's easier on the ears. Contrary to this dynamic drivers tend to produce a more spherical sound wavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.
Planar magnetic drivers due to the way they operate, require a stronger amplifier system. They are also more heavy and bulkier because of their larger flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC to drive them.
Additionally the planar magnetic drivers are much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts since they're usually made of high-end materials. However, a handful of specialized HiFi audio headphone companies have started to revive this older technology in recent years. We're seeing a range of new headphones that have planar magnet drivers that offer the best listening experience.
The decision between planar and dynamic headphones is dependent on your personal preferences and budget. Planar magnetic headphones offer a slightly more spacious sound stage than dynamic ones and are known for their outstanding detail and accuracy. However, they're often more expensive, and a lot of listeners prefer the powerful bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.
In general dynamic driver headphones generally have a bit more punch and slam than those with planar magnetic designs However, the differences aren't always apparent to the majority of listeners. They're also better at imaging structure and distinguishing. There are a lot of exceptions to this, and some great planar-magnetic headphones come in at a price that is very affordable.
The magnets
In a headphone with dynamic driver, electrical signals from your source of audio travel through a coil of conductive material that interacts with magnetic fields within the driver. These are used to manipulate the diaphragm flat and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones use an extremely thin layer of conductors sandwiched between powerful magnets. They are more difficult to produce, which is why they're more expensive.
They are also bigger and heavier because of their design which means they require more space around the drivers. They also require more power to achieve their full potential than their more dynamic counterparts. Although this isn't a constant issue, it's something to be aware of when thinking about these headphones.
While it's not true for all headphones. However, many of the top planar magnetic headphones will offer a more open and airy sound than their more dynamic counterparts. This gives them a sense that they are in a larger space, which can be appealing to certain listeners. The soundstage they offer is also larger which can be beneficial when listening to music with others.
Many of the top boutique brands in headphone like HiFiMAN and Audeze employ the open-back design. While they're not as common as closed-back models, they can be an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of planar magnetic technology. For example the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, precision, and detail of these headphones at an affordable price.
The housing
You may have heard of planar magnet headphones if you are an audiophile, or even if you like good music. They have a distinct appearance with a flat diaphragm embedded and are available in both over-ear and open-back headphones. These headphones are not only unique in appearance, but also operate with a different method than dynamic drivers.
Unlike the traditional moving coil driver, which uses a voice coil to generate sound waves, planar magnetic headphones use an array of magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth to generate sound. The arrays can be placed on either one or both sides depending 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 which interact with magnets on either end of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms pull and push against the magnetic fields. This results in sound waves that represent the audio signal.
Because of this, headphones made of planar magnetics typically sound more resonant and have greater bass extension capabilities. The large, flat diaphragm responds much faster to changes in input signals, so they can respond quicker to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This results in a more precise, more controlled sound that many audiophiles appreciate.
These headphones can reproduce higher frequencies but lack the punch and slam that modern dynamic driver headphones offer. Therefore, they may be a bit more difficult to listen to for people who want to use them to listen to metal or hard rock music.
Planar magnetic headphones are costly due to their distinctive design. The drivers are powered by an audio digital converter and a specialized amplifier. Some people may feel that the cost of these headphones is higher, but they think that it's worth it. Whatever the case, it's important remember that there are other headphones available to those who don't wish to spend more than they need to.