This History Behind Planar Vs Dynamic Will Haunt You For The Rest Of Your Life!

Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones

If you're looking to purchase headphones that offer the widest variety of sound profiles dynamic drivers are the best way to go. These headphones use a voice-coil and magnetic windings which move back and forth to cause the diaphragm of the speaker to vibrate.

This creates a spherical wavefront that represents audio more accurately. However, it can result in distortion at higher volumes.

Cost

Dynamic drivers are easy to construct and are inexpensive. They are composed of a coil (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm made of plastic and set into the magnetic field. They vibrate in response to the electric signals coming from your audio source. Due to this, they require less power to drive them than planar or electrostatic headphones. This makes them more portable and easier to use while you're on the move. However, planar magnetic headphones, have much more complex motor systems and massive diaphragms that require larger - or even multiple - magnets to move. This means they will cost more and are often heavier and heavier than their dynamic counterparts. They also require more power to operate, which is why the majority of headphones that use planar technology require an external amplifier to get the best results.

Bass Response

Bass response is the primary distinction between dynamic and planar headphones. Planar drivers have more linearity and have better bass extension and less distortion than dynamic headphones. They also provide a more precise image and clarity. They may not have the same punch and slam of dynamic headphones. This has led to hybrid IEMs that utilize different kinds of drivers. These IEMs can satisfy the various preferences of listeners and offer the best of both worlds.

Dynamic drivers are utilized in headphones to transmit sound vibrations through a coil of wire suspended from a membrane. The magnetic field of the coil triggers the vibrating diaphragm, which produces the sounds that we hear. This can cause distortion at low frequencies because the diaphragm movement is not precise and consistent. This is why it is crucial to think about your own preferences for listening and your listening environment before deciding on which type of headphone is right for you.

The distortion of planar headphones has been significantly reduced, as the vibrations have become more uniform and the diaphragm moves less. Additionally, the flat design of the diaphragm permits it to respond faster to changes in the input signal. This is especially relevant for high-frequency frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones provide more precise sound and more clarity.

Dynamic headphones are older than planar magnetic ones and have been the industry benchmark in terms of bass response. Historically, dynamic driver headphones had an unidirectional frequency response all the way down to 20Hz, whereas planar magnetic headphones had a greater roll-off in this range. Technology has advanced however, many of the planar headphones now have a full range bass response that is comparable to premium open dynamic driver headphones.

The NAN-7 is an example of a high-end planar which delivers a very impressive bass and impact. Its bass is agile and precise, with a great sub-bass slam. Its ability to deliver a powerful and authoritative sense of bass presence and authority makes it the perfect instrument for orchestral pieces like the opening fanfare of Richard Strauss's opera Aleksandr Solti's "Alsosprach Zarathustra. The NAN-7 also impresses with its imaging capabilities.

Soundstage

Planar headphones generally have a better soundstage. The diaphragm has more volume and is able to move more evenly, which can result in an overall soundstage that is larger and flat that improves imaging and clarity. This is especially evident on headphones with high-end features, such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However it can also be seen on less expensive alternatives.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike dynamic drivers, which only vibrate a small portion of the diaphragm connected to the voice coil when an electrical signal is applied, have a larger surface area that can be moved.  planar magnetic speakers  results in lower distortion even at high volume. They also have better transient response, meaning they can handle rapid changes in the input signal.

It is essential to keep in mind that planar headphones may still have a small soundstage if they are not properly driven. The absence of a headphone amp's power may result in muddy bass or a "shimmer" effect, which could make listening to music less enjoyable.

Dynamic headphones have more natural sound since they are able to better reproduce the frequency response of the original audio recording. The drivers' dynamics are also more natural and realistic than the 'plucked' sound of planar headphones. However, this can be compensated by a good headphone amplifier, and some of the latest planar headphones have better punch than their older counterparts, like the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is due to more advanced drivers that can be driven by a higher quality headphone amp.

Comfort

Planar magnetic headphones have gained popularity in recent years, and that's not surprising since they provide an improved sound quality. The downside is that they're typically more expensive and heavier than dynamic headphones. This is due to the fact that they have a larger drivers and require more power to move them evenly. They require balanced outputs which are found on the majority of DAPs and dongles. They also tend to leak sound more than dynamic drivers.