5 Lessons You Can Learn From Planar Headphones

What Are Planar Headphones?

If you're in the market for earphones or headphones, you might have seen models that have planar drivers. What exactly are they and how do they differ from dynamic-driver headphones?

They have a much wider sound wavefront than dynamic-driver headphones. This allows for greater stereo clarity and image.

What is a Planar Driver?

The planar driver is the type of speaker (or headphone) driver that's found in a variety of the most well-known headphones today. It's an advanced technology that is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional drivers, and this, it delivers some of the highest audio quality currently available.

A planar driver is a diaphragm laid flat on top of a conductor. The conductor is then surrounded on each side by powerful magnets. The magnets react to a sound signal by generating magnetic fields that push the diaphragm into a particular direction. The result is an omnidirectional sound wave that can produce a much more realistic and detailed sound than a dynamic driver.

Planar headphones are typically designed for people who listen to music with a high level of focus and usually require a stronger amplifier to effectively drive them. This makes them more expensive than other kinds of headphones, but they also offer superior audio quality and a larger soundstage than other types of headphones.

For those who are new to the world of planar headphones, it can be a bit difficult to grasp the technical terms and jargons that are used in the industry. To assist us, we've created an easy guide to help you understand the basics of what a driver is and how it differs from other kinds of headphone drivers.

The term "planar" may seem confusing but the truth is that it's simple. The key difference between a plane driver and other types of headphones is that a planar driver utilizes a flat diaphragm, not the traditional cone or dome diaphragm.

In addition, planar drivers use an exclusive magnetic system to create sound waves. This means that they can create a more accurate and precise sound wave than dynamic drivers can and result in a better audio reproduction and a much larger sound stage than conventional headphones.

Additionally, headphones with a planar design tend to have a slightly more natural and relaxed sound than dynamic drivers, which is appreciated by a large number of listeners. However, there are drawbacks to planar headphones, including their size and weight and their need for a higher power output than other kinds of headphones. These issues can make them less suitable for use in portable settings but they can be a great choice for audiophiles who are serious and are looking to fully experience the potential of this new technology.

What are the benefits of the planar driver?

In the world of high-end headphones the planar driver is one of the hottest technologies. They are well-known for the precision and clarity they provide, allowing users to hear the music exactly as recorded.

Unlike other headphone driver types, which use middle-men conductors of metal to move the diaphragm and produce sound waves the planar magnetic headphones possess the distinct feature of having the diaphragm is able to vibrate directly. This is accomplished by sandwiching a thin sheet comprised of mylar or another electrically charged material between two plates that conduct electricity. When an audio signal is played the conductive sheet moves between contact with the diaphragm and causes it to the diaphragm to vibrate.

The advantage of this is that there aren't any mechanical distortions that would be experienced with other headphone designs. This results in more organic and natural sound reproduction, free of harshness or unwanted resonant frequency. The force applied to the surface of the diaphragm helps it to be more responsive to audio signals.

Another advantage of magnet planar magnetic headphones is their ability to offer a superior bass response. This is due to the fact that the bass response of a planar headphones is more precise than the dynamic driver headphone. This is due to the fact that planar headphones vibrates the entire diaphragm to respond to the audio signal.

Planar magnetic headphones come with a few disadvantages, like their higher price and the fact that they require a specific headphone amp or DAC to operate. However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For example, with a high-quality headphone amp/DAC such as the Monolith Hi-Res, the sound quality produced by a planar magnetic headphone can be extraordinary.

If you're interested in exploring the world of planar magnetic headphones have a look at our options below or give us a ring! We would love to assist you in finding a pair that exceeds your expectations.

What are the drawbacks of a planar drive?

While planar drivers provide a variety of advantages, they are also more complex and expensive to make. In addition, they require more power than traditional dynamic drivers, making them less portable. This is the reason you'll find IEMs and headphones that have planar drives mostly in the higher price bracket.

Another disadvantage of an acoustic driver that is planar is that it isn't as responsive to changes in the audio signal, which makes it harder to get a good frequency response. This can be rectified by tuning and sound engineering, but can lead to an audio signature that is slightly different than you might be used to.

Planar drivers aren't as physically slammable and slam-proof as dynamic driver headphones. This is because the diaphragm conductor trace doesn't not communicate as closely with the magnetic field of a dynamic headphone like the voice coil does. But there are exceptions. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example provides some of the same image structure and clarity as top-end planar headphones but is relatively affordable.

The decision to choose dynamic or planar headphones is based on your personal preferences. Do you prefer the precision, speed and accuracy of a driver that is planar or do you want the punch and slam of a dynamic driver? There are plenty of options out there to satisfy both tastes and budgets.

If you're in the market for a new pair of headphones or you're looking to broaden your horizons of music listening, planar drivers are worth considering. With their excellent frequency response, cheapest low distortion and expansive soundstage, they can take your listening experience to a whole new level. And with many great options available at TTVJ, you're sure to find the ideal pair of headphones to meet your needs.

What are the best planar headphones?

When it comes to headphones there are a lot of aspects that make up a good pair. You want them to be a perfect fit for your head comfortably, be comfortable during long listening sessions, and include the features you need to use them. Planar headphones (also called orthodynamic headphones) provide a unique listening experience with exceptional clarity and detail. They are constructed with a thin, flat diaphragm sandwiched between two magnets. This technology makes them a great option for audiophiles looking for the highest quality of sound.

There are a variety of options for planar headphones. It is crucial to pick a pair that suits your preferences and requirements. Some of the most sought-after choices are open-back and closed-back headphones, as well as in-ear and over-ear styles. You will also need to take into consideration your budget and needs for comfort.

A good place to start is to read reviews from professional websites like Popular Science, Headphoneia, and r/headphones on Reddit. It is also recommended to read user reviews and comments to get a feel of how the headphones perform in real-world use. Once you've narrowed down your choices, test a variety of pairs and listen music in various settings.

While you might be tempted to spend thousands of dollars on an expensive pair of headphones, there are many affordable options available. In fact, a few of the top planar headphones cost under $200 and still offer outstanding audio quality. Audeze LCD-2 Classics, for example, are an excellent option for those looking to try out planar headphones.

Another option that is great is the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Closed-Back Headphones. These headphones are lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for long listening sessions. They are also the cheapest pair of planar headphones we carry.

It's important to remember that planar headphones require a specific amplifier to function properly. This is due to the fact that they have a higher resistance than dynamic driver headsets and require more power to move their diaphragm. If you opt for a premium amp and DAC they will provide a great listening experience for a fraction the price of other premium headphone.