Planar Magnetic Vs Dynamic Driver Headphones

The majority of headphones and IEMs feature a dynamic driver, which makes use of a cone that moves back and forth to create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones have a flat diaphragm and are more expensive, however they offer better sound and clarity.

However, they do require more power to drive the large drivers, so may not be suitable for portable devices. This is where the term 'punch' and slam comes from and can be a step down for some audiophiles.

The Basics

Planar Magnetic Drivers are quickly becoming a staple in headphones for their immersive sounds and crisp quality. While they're not as well-known as dynamic drivers, you can still find big-name companies such as Audeze and Oppo who sell some of the top Planar Magnetic Headphones. Planar Magnetic Headphones are a bit different from traditional driver headphones since they don't utilize a moving voice coil to generate vibrations in the diaphragm. Instead the driver's charged area is distributed across the flat surface, allowing for more uniform movement.

In general the planar magnetic driver is more efficient in producing sound waves than a dynamic driver due to a less complicated mechanism. This can result in higher distortion levels, a more precise response to transients in music, and a more natural soundstage.

There are many advantages for choosing headphones with a planar magnet drive. However, you should be aware of some limitations. First, be aware of the fact that these types of headphones often leak more sound than regular open-back dynamic models. This is due to the fact that the diaphragm, which is flat, of the planar magnetic headphone can be able to push sound in both directions, so sound waves will leak from the earcups and into your surroundings. This is something you should take into account if you'll be wearing your headphones in public or at work.

Planar magnetic headphones require more power than other models to achieve their full potential. They require more energy to uniformly move their large, thin diaphragms, and as such, they tend to be somewhat larger and heavier. This is a disadvantage when you're looking to keep your headphones light and portable.

Planar magnetic headphones may not have the punch or slam that many listeners would like. This is because the diaphragm's flat shape doesn't vibrate in a pistonic fashion, like traditional dynamic headphones, and therefore can't be as 'plucked' as listeners would like. But, this isn't an unpopular opinion, and there are a few high-end planar magnetic headphones (like the HiFiMAN Sundara) that provide excellent image distribution and punch.

If you're willing to overlook the problems and are searching for a pair of headphones that provides a distinctive soundstage with unparalleled clarity, planar magnetic headphones may be worth considering. Be sure to consider the extra cost and power requirements as well as the size and weight of your headphones before making a decision. The good news is that there are now numerous top-quality planar magnetic headphones available at an affordable price, including the well-known HiFiMAN Sundara. This provides a glimpse of what these headphones are capable of without costing you a fortune.

Benefits

While there are plenty of great headphones that use dynamic drivers, a lot of the best headphones in a variety of price ranges use planar magnetic technology. These headphones are generally more expensive than their dynamic counterparts but also offer superior performance, with large soundstages and an immersive listening experience.

Planar magnetic headphones make use of two or more magnets suspended near the flat surface of the driver and a conductor track on the diaphragm to create vibrations. Electrical impulses passing through these wires induce a magnetic force that reacts with magnets to cause them vibration. The force generated is evenly distributed across the entire surface of the diaphragm. This does not cause distortion like dynamic headphones.

Because of the way that they are built they offer a wider soundstage than dynamic models and offer much better transient response that means they can deal with rapid changes in audio with greater accuracy. They also have a lower resonance as well as a flatter frequency response. This makes them more precise and deeper in the bass than dynamic headphones.

These headphones are more precise and have an edgier sound. This makes them more appealing to audiophiles. This is evident in the clarity of their sound as well as how do planar magnetic headphones work they reproduce the stereo balance and the location of instruments. This is especially important in closed-back designs like the HiFiMAN sundara which create a more realistic and spacious soundstage.

These headphones are also less likely to break as forces acting on the diaphragm degrade the diaphragm's structural integrity and cause various points to move out-of-sync. This could be due to a poor design or manufacturing. This is one of the reasons that planar headphones are considered the premium option.

This type of headphone has some disadvantages. First, it requires a lot of power to drive the driver. As a result, they can be heavy and bulky, which could make them less portable than their dynamic counterparts. They also tend leak more sound. This means that you will need to be in an area that is quiet to listen to the headphones without disturbing others. Fortunately, the most recent models have improved seals and noise isolation to alleviate this issue. This is why it's hard to give an exact answer on whether or not planar magnetic headphones are truly superior planar magnetic to dynamic ones. It really depends on your preferences and what you value in your audio experience.