How a Planar Magnetic Diaphragm Headphone Driver Works

Traditionally, dynamic drivers have an internal voice coil that is attached to the middle of the diaphragm conical. When electrical signals pass through a voice coil, the diaphragm moves.

The force is only applied to a small part of the diaphragm, and it is difficult to move multiple points at the same moment. This leads to breakup modes that can cause distortion.

Sound Detail

Many audiophiles want a detailed sound from their headphones. This can be achieved by using a planar diaphragm. This type of headphone works in a similar way to dynamic cone drivers, but with more modern technology.

A planar diaphragm has an elongated structure that is built into the headphone's frame. It's made out of a lightweight, thin film-like material. It's designed to be as homogeneous as it can be, and its flat surface allows an uniform distribution of pressure across the entire surface which enhances the clarity of sound.

The flat shape of a planar magnetic diaphragm allows for a more controlled soundstage. A more focused soundstage is achieved by a more focused wavefront. This helps you identify where an instrument or vocal is situated on the track. This is an advantage over the more spherical waves typical of dynamic drivers.

In contrast to traditional dynamic drivers, which make use of a voice coil attached near the center of a plastic or planar magnetic paper cone, a planar diaphragm utilizes magnets that are placed on its flat face. The electric current that flows through the voice coil interacts with these magnets to drive the diaphragm, which causes it to vibrate and create sound. Since the entire diaphragm is driven at the same time, there are no breakup modes mechanical filtering transmission delay, or local resonances which could negatively impact sound quality.

A flat and uniform diaphragm is also capable of accelerating faster than the thicker and heavier ones used in dynamic drivers. According to the laws of physics, force is proportional to mass and acceleration. This means that the greater the speed at which a driver's diaphragm is moved and the greater force they exert. This gives planar magnetic drivers better response to bass and better detail retrieval.

The advantages of a planar magnet driver are not without cost. Since they come with a complex motor system and large diaphragms, they generally cost more than dynamic drivers, are heavier and require a more powerful amplifier to perform effectively. Nevertheless, many manufacturers of planar magnetic headphones are able to make the most of their technology to produce premium headphones that are priced competitively. Some examples include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara.

High Sensitivity

Planar drivers differ from moving coil drivers that are used in the majority of headphones or IEMs in that they utilize a flat membrane instead of a traditional dome or cone shaped membrane. As an electrical signal moves through, it interacts both with the magnets as well as the diaphragm to create sound waves. The flat nature of the diaphragm permits it to react quickly to sound and can produce a wide range of frequencies, from bass to highs.

Planar magnetic headphones are more sensitive than other drivers for headphone which make use of diaphragms several time larger than a typical planar design. This creates an incredible amount of dynamic range and clarity which allows you to appreciate every tiniest detail that music has to offer.

Planar magnetic drivers also create a very consistent driving force that is evenly distributed throughout the diaphragm. This reduces breakup and produces a smooth, distortion-free sound. This is especially important for high-frequency sound, where breakup can be audible and distracting. This is achieved in FT5 by using polyimide, a material that is both ultralight and extremely durable, and also a sophisticated design of conductors that eliminates intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

The OPPO's planar earphones magnetic driver also have better phase coherence, meaning that when a wavefront strikes the ear canal, it's an unaltered and flat shape. Dynamic drivers however, have a spherical wavefront that disrupts the coherence, resulting in low-quality signal peak reconstructions of the signal particularly at high frequencies. OPPO headphones sound very natural and authentic.

Wide Frequency Response

Planar magnetic diaphragms are able to reproduce sounds at much higher frequencies than traditional dynamic drivers. This is because their diaphragm is thin and light in weight. moves very precisely. They can deliver an excellent transient response. This makes them an ideal choice for audiophiles looking for speakers and headphones that reproduce the most precise details of music.

This flat structure gives them an even soundstage than traditional headphones that employ a dynamic driver that is coiled. In addition they are less susceptible to leakage, which is the sound that escapes the headphones and out into the surrounding area. In some cases this can be a problem since it can distract the listener and cause them lose their focus while listening to music. In other cases however, it can be beneficial because it allows listeners to enjoy music in public spaces without worrying about disturbing people nearby.

Instead of using a coil that is placed behind a cone-shaped diaphragm, planar magnetic headphones feature an array of conductors printed on the extremely thin film of the diaphragm. This conductor is then suspended in between two magnets, and when an electrical signal is applied to this array, it transforms into electromagnetic, causing the magnetic forces on the opposite side of the diaphragm to interact each other. This is what causes the diaphragm to vibrate, which creates a sound wave.

The low distortion is due to the uniform movement of the lightweight, thin diaphragm and the fact that force is evenly distributed across its surface. This is a significant improvement over traditional dynamic drivers that are known for causing distortion at high levels of listening.

Some high-end headphones use the old-school moving coil design. However, most HiFi audiophiles are now embracing this long-forgotten technology to create new generation of planar magnetic headphones that sound incredible. Certain models require a top-of-the-line amplifier to power them. For Planar magnetic those who can afford it, they offer an experience unlike any other headphone. They offer a full and clear sound without the distortion you get with other types of headphones.

Minimal Inertia

Due to their construction the diaphragms of planar diaphragms move faster and are less heavy than conventional drivers. They can reproduce audio signals with greater precision and can be tuned to a wider range. They also produce natural sound with less distortion than traditional loudspeakers.

The two rows of magnets in a planar magnetic driver generate equal and uniform magnetic forces across the entire diaphragm's surface. This eliminates unwanted and unnecessary distortion. Because the force on the diaphragm's light weight is evenly distributed and evenly, it can be controlled more precisely. This permits the diaphragm to be able to move in a precise pistonic motion, resulting in precise and smooth reproduction of music.

Planar magnetic drivers are able to achieve very high levels of performance while carrying very little weight, which makes them ideal for headphones that can be carried around. They are also able to produce a wide range in frequencies, ranging from low-frequency sounds to high-frequency ones. Audio professionals appreciate them for their broad frequency response and clear sound.

Unlike dynamic drivers, which make use of coils to push against the diaphragm the planar magnetic driver has no mechanical components that could come into contact with one the other and cause distortion. This is due to the fact that the flat array of conductors sits directly on the diaphragm, instead of being enclosed in a coil behind.

A planar magnetic driver however it can drive a light and thin diaphragm using a powerful magnetic force with no loss of energy. The diaphragm, thin, light membrane is driven by the magnetic field, which exerts a constant pressure. This stops it from deforming or creating distortion.

The moment of inertia is a crucial property that describes the resistance of an object to rotation. The formula I = mr2 may be used to calculate it. The shape of the object determines its moment of inertia minimum. Longer and smaller objects have lower moments of inertia.