The Reasons To Work On This Planar Magnetic Driver
The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver
Planar magnetic drivers are commonly used in the most high-quality headphones and IEMs. It offers numerous advantages that distinguish it from other dynamic or balanced armature driver types.
It is crucial to be aware of the disadvantages of planar drivers. They are a higher price and the requirement for an amplifier to drive them.
Ultra-thin diaphragms
Each sound we hear - from the loudest cymbal crash to the tiniest rumble on a bench for a piano - is captured by a complex tumultuous wave of pressure. The driver of a high-quality headphone should reproduce these waves with precision without distortion or omitting any details. This requires a light diaphragm that is thin and able to move quickly and respond to a variety of frequencies.
While dynamic drivers are powered by a voice coil bonded to a conical diaphragm, planar magnetic drivers feature a flat diaphragm skinned with an conductive film that is floating between fixed magnets. This allows them to create a uniform magnetic field over the entire surface of the diaphragm and significantly reduce distortion.
This approach, however creates additional challenges like the possibility of membrane resonance problems and airflow turbulent within the grid-like magnetic arrays. These problems result in a mechanical resonance frequency of the diaphragm that may be several times greater than the input frequency, and reduces the sensitivities of the voice pressure sensor.
With a patent-pending technology known as 'Spherical Acoustic Structure' (SAS), Final was able to overcome these limitations with the D8000 by using a single piece of material that functions as a diaphragm and conductor. This design was based on ribbon speakers with their spherical conductors, however it was cheaper for headphones because of its dimensions and power requirements.
A ringing sound is a different issue that many planar magnetic designs face. This happens when high-frequency and low-frequency bass notes are played. This is caused by a mismatch between the force of the magnetic field applied to the diaphragm as well as the natural flexing characteristics of the diaphragm itself.
Final utilized a thin polymer film called Parylene to solve this problem. The material was selected because of its superior mechanical strength, bending ability as well as its uniform thickness and consistency of thickness. These qualities were essential to ensure that a thin, solid film would stretch without forming unwanted wrinkles or wrinkles.
Superior transient response
While the basic operation of planar magnetic drivers is similar to traditional dynamic drivers, the way they generate sound waves is different. The primary difference is that the conductor in a planar driver is laid out in a flat 2D pattern on the diaphragm, instead of a coil wrapped around a cone-shaped diaphragm. The conductor is able to react to magnetic fields both on the diaphragm's sides, and create sound waves that are extremely precise. This technology eliminates the requirement for voice coils that can alter their impedance depending on frequency, resulting distortion-free music.
In addition the planar magnetic drivers are more durable and lighter than conventional drivers due to the fact that they do not have moving parts that wear out over time. They are also less susceptible to distortion caused by harmonics which can result in a decrease in the audio quality. They have a quicker reaction time and are able to reproduce sounds more quickly.
However, the large surface area of a planar diaphragm requires more power to move and produce sound waves. These headphones require a headphone amplifier that can provide them with a sufficient level. Some listeners might not be interested in the additional weight and cost.
Another benefit of planar magnetic drivers is that they create a wide soundstage, which can be larger than traditional dynamic headphones. This is due to the large diaphragm is able to move more evenly to create a planar sound wavefront, instead of a narrow and spherical wavefront, which is typical of dynamic drivers. This is the main feature of planar headphones that provide more of an immersive listening experience.
Audio reproduction that is natural and faithful
Planar magnetic drivers provide a more natural and faithful sound reproduction than traditional driver models. Planar magnetic drivers produce equal magnetic forces with two rows of magnets unlike conventional dynamic drivers which have a cone-shaped membrane that oscillates. The diaphragm's movement is in a wavelike manner. This helps to avoid distortion. They can also reproduce music in more frequencies, from the lowest lows to the highest highs. This makes them a great choice for sound professionals and music enthusiasts.
The diaphragm is thin and flexible. in a planar magnetic driver moves faster than dynamic drivers. This allows it to react to changes in the sound signal and create accurate reproduction. Additionally, the absence of a coil sitting behind the diaphragm decreases the chance that there will be contact between the mechanical components that can cause distortion at higher volume levels.
This means that the diaphragm can effortlessly displace large volumes of air to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's size and flexibility is vital to create the rich bass you enjoy in your music. Dynamic drivers are usually small and stiff. This makes them unable to withstand the high-speed excursions required to reproduce bass.
Despite the benefits that come with planar magnetic drivers, they are not as popular in headphone and IEM products as dynamic driver models due to their high cost and intricate design. Partly, this is because they need amplifiers to be driven. This restricts their portability. Nevertheless, they remain popular with music lovers and critical listeners who appreciate their outstanding performance and high audio quality.
Wide frequency response
While many IEMs and headphones use traditional dynamic drivers with a cone-shaped diaphragm that moves between two directions to create audio waves, planar magnetic headphones employ flat and uniform diaphragms that produce sound in a more controlled and consistent manner. This creates a wide frequency response, which allows for a precise and faithful reproduction of music. They are also known for their superior transient response, which means they are able to react quickly to audio signals and reproduce them as accurately as they can.
To accomplish this, they employ a planar array of conductors placed across a thin diaphragm sandwiched between two magnets. When an electrical signal is delivered to this conductor array, it transforms into electromagnetic energy and interacts with the diaphragm's magnetic field, producing that aforementioned push/pull action. This allows the diaphragm's magnetic fields interact with audio signals quickly, resulting in superior audio reproduction.
The low distortion rate is yet another reason for these drivers to be so popular with audiophiles. planar vs electrostatic headphones don't cause the same amount of harmonic distortion since they don't use the same moving components. They also have a lower resistance and provide a pure resistance load to amplifiers. This makes them more convenient to drive.
Due to their superior performance, planar magnetic drivers are typically used in higher-end audio equipment. However, this also means that they can be more expensive and require an amplifier to operate, making them less suitable as a 'grab and go' kind of driver. However, audiophiles are willing to pay the additional expense and effort for the quality that these headphones can provide. They are the best choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a wonderful listening experience.
Low distortion
The diaphragm in a planar magnet driver is very thin and therefore it can move at a high speed without losing control. This provides an excellent transient response which means that the driver is able to respond to abrupt changes in audio signals very quickly and accurately. This allows you to hear the details in music more clearly, and makes them sound more natural and real.
Another advantage of planar magnetic drivers is that they create an equal driving force across the entire diaphragm. This eliminates distortion at higher volume levels. Planar magnetic headphones sound great since dynamic drivers use diaphragms that are heavier and thicker and cannot move as fast or at the same speed. In fact, they could fail if the forces are too strong or exceed the limits of their structural integrity, which causes different points on the diaphragm to begin shifting out of sync.
On the other the other hand, planar magnetic drivers produce an extremely powerful electromagnetic force that is directly applied to the diaphragm. This removes the voice coil that is typically required in headphones with traditional cone drivers that are dynamic. This helps to achieve better dynamics, a wider soundstage and a more powerful bass response.
Due to these advantages Due to these advantages, planar magnet drivers are thought of by many audiophiles to be the best headphone driver. Although they do have concerns regarding the power requirements and costs but their capability to provide outstanding sonic quality makes them a perfect option for those who want the best quality audio reproduction. Compared to other types of headphones, these drivers provide superior clarity and clarity in all frequencies, with the exception of for low bass (where dynamic drivers are typically still preferred). If you're looking for the best headphones for high-end music that can deliver superb audio at any price make sure to look through our top picks below!