The Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones (also known as orthodynamic headphones) utilize a thin conductive diaphragm sandwiched between multiple magnets to create sound. They offer a clear and controlled audio experience that captures all the leading edge of instruments and vocals for amazing musical precision.
They typically require a headphone amplifier to provide the drivers with the proper power. This is a small cost to purchase headphones that can reveal the details and nuances in your music that you did not know existed.
1. Dekoni Blue HE400SE
The Blue is a redefinition of the T50RP MK3 and is aimed at an energizing, neutral sound for the home. It's not as neutral as the Philips FidelioX2HR, but it's still an excellent option for people who prefer natural, warm sounding headphone and don't like excessive bass. The vocals are soft and feminine. (Listen to Feel Good by Dominique Fils Aime). It has a great balance between the low and high frequencies that makes it fun for long listening sessions.
The planar magnetic structure helps to ensure the precise placement of sound, as well as transparency, and a huge soundstage. This lets the music breathe and gives you the sensation of being in a concert hall. The treble spectrum is clear and not abrasive and provides a clear and clear sound.
Its bass is also very impressive for a headphone that is priced at a bargain. It's incredibly clear and powerful but doesn't distort even when listening to a lot of music. Its fidelity is also superb with great mid-range energy and excellent detail retrieval.
2. Audeze LCD-2
Audeze headphones are well-known for their powerful sound and open-back design. They are also bulky, heavy and don't isolate well. They're not comfortable for all. However, they're an excellent choice if you're looking for a headphone that can produce an intense dynamic climax and impact.
These headphones feature a large planar magnetic driver that is custom-designed inside the ear cups. They create undistorted, crystal clear sound. They can even achieve low frequencies that other more traditional dynamic drivers struggle with. This is one of the most well-known headphones with a planar magnetic design in the audiophile world.
Audeze's LCD-2 was their first headphone. best magnetic planar headphones offers the best overall sound quality for its price. It is full-bodied, deep bass, with a transparent transparency and virtually no distortion above 10Hz. It has a natural-sounding treble with the appropriate levels for sibilant sounds. It dips to 9khz in order to account for concha interactions.
The LCD 2 Classics are a great alternative to the original LCD-2. They have the identical iconic design and sound quality, but at a significantly lower cost. These headphones work well with tube amplifiers and offer a higher resistance than other open-back headphones. You'll require an amp for your headphone to use these headphones. They aren't very air-conditioned and can cause your ears to get warm after long periods of time.
3. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is a modern take on the egg-shaped housing and window shade open back design of its predecessor and makes it modern with a wide array of technological upgrades. The Ananda Nano is equipped with a new NEO ultranano diaphragm, which is 75% less thick than its predecessor's. It also comes with stealth magnets that offer superior clarity.
The midrange is spacious and airy, with plenty of resolution, a natural tone and will be awe-inspiring to listeners. It's a slightly brighter headphone that has some edge in its presentation. It makes it stand out and adds some character. It's not abrasive and does not suffer from any bloating.
The low-end of the HIFIMAN has a slender texture however it doesn't sacrifice any volume or dynamism. The treble is crisp and clear without being bright or harsh. The Ananda Nano has a treble that's extended and gives a sense of space, clarity and depth even at high volumes.
The headphone is easy-to-drive and its drivers' clarity and acoustic quality will allow you to get the most from your favourite sources. Don't be fooled by the stories about these headphones needing a lot of power or a lot of current - that's just urban myth. In fact, I've been able to enjoy these headphones for long gaming sessions, as well as two seven-hour periods at work and they were comfortable.
4. Audio Technica ATH-M1070
The price of planar headphones can put them out of reach of most music fans, especially those who have other priorities in their life. If you're willing to spend some time looking for the right pair, it's possible to find a top set that doesn't cost a fortune. This is the case with the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C closed-back model which makes use of planar magnetic technology. It is priced competitively at $299 USD.
Although the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C does not include the features that you'd expect from a more expensive pair of headphones, that doesn't mean it's lacking in quality or performance. The headphones are stunning and can be adjusted to your preferences by a few tweaks to the audio source that you choose to use with them.
The Monolith by Monoprice headphones are high-impedance and require some help from your DAC or portable music player to ensure that the sound is pushed properly. The company comes with a variety of cords inside the box, including a three meter coiled cable and two straight cables.
The 106mm driver in the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C creates a full soundstage that is full of details and has a sense depth. The headphones provide the impression of being at the back of an orchestra while listening to tracks such as Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight. The treble sound is crisp and clear while the mid-range sound warm and smooth without getting too bassy.
5. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
The Audio Technica ATH-M50X are closed-back headphones with an impressively large pair of ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears. They're designed to be a studio headphone that can be used for tracking mixing, as well as critical listening, so they have a full, rich bass that pleases the most discerning of listeners and also provides clarity for picking out the subtle aspects of your music.
The earcups have a soft faux-leather covering that is comfortable for your head and ears. They also seal well enough to minimize outside noise. The headband is cushioned and fits around your head. However some users reported feeling uncomfortable due to its stiffness. They offer a large soundstage and a good amount of isolation, but some of the high-end sound can be lost in the strong bass response.
The headphones have a great sound that's perfect for electronic music and other pulse-driven genres. They have a strong bass boost that makes kick drums powerful, and have a bright treble that highlights every note in a vocal melody or guitar riff.
The ATH-M50X is among the most sought-after headphones among musicians and audiophiles, but it's not the best choice for every scenario. It doesn't have the flat frequency response or even the articulation that is found in higher-end headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, and can also be a bit warm in the lower range for some.
6. Audeze LCD-XC
The LCD-XC is an open-back magnetic headphone that is planar and the first Audeze headphone ever. It is a huge and heavy headphone, with wooden ear cups. It is the heaviest model on this list, and is one of the most heavy closed-back models available.
The Audeze LCD-XC has quickly become the most popular device for recording engineers, musicians and audiophiles around the world due to its powerful neutrality and clarity. Its closed-back design offers all the benefits of planar headphones such as greater isolation and reduced background noise for a private and immersive listening experience. Your favorite music will erupt from the silent background taking on a life of its own.
They are equipped with an unique innovative planar magnetic design that makes use of space-age materials and an ultra-thin diaphragms that are 4 times larger than typical headphones for fast response times, dramatically reduced distortion and higher resolution. Their unique driver design places an extremely thin, large driver between the arrays of magnets to create great air movement. This produces their signature powerful bass and natural extended highs. The LCD-XC is a reference headphone that is made for professional recording, mixing mastering, high-resolution hi-fi listening.
The treble is an spacious and clear sound, with no artificial coloration or coloring. Vocals sound fantastic, with a rich deep midrange and a natural, clear and clean treble.