The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver
Planar magnetic drivers are used in the most high-quality headphones and IEMs. It has numerous advantages that help it different from the more traditional balanced or dynamic armature drivers.
It is crucial to be aware of the drawbacks of planar drivers. They are a higher price and the requirement for an amplifier to drive them.
Ultra-thin diaphragms
Each sound we hear - from the loudest cymbal crashing to the tiniest rumble on a bench for a piano - is portrayed by an intricate turbulent wave of pressure. The driver of a high-quality headphone must reproduce these waves with precision without losing any detail or distortion. This requires a light diaphragm with a thin, smooth surface that can move quickly and respond to a range of frequencies.
Planar magnetic drivers utilize an elongated diaphragm coated with a conductive coating and floats between magnets. This allows them to create a consistent magnetic field that covers the entire diaphragm and significantly reduce distortion.
However, this method introduces additional issues, including the possibility of problems with membrane resonance and airflow turbulence in the grid-like magnet arrays. These issues result in a mechanical resonance frequency of the diaphragm that may be several times higher than the input frequency and reduces the sensitivities of the voice pressure sensor.
Utilizing a patent-pending technology called "Spherical Acoustic System" (SAS), Final was successful in overcoming these limitations with the D8000 making use of a single piece material that doubles as a diaphragm and conductor. The idea was based on ribbon speakers with their spherical conducting, but it was more affordable for headphones because of its dimensions and power requirements.
Ringing sounds are another challenge that many planar magnetic designs face. This happens when low-frequency and high-frequency bass notes are played. This is caused by an inconsistency with the force of the magnet that is applied to the diaphragm in comparison to the natural diaphragm's flexing.
To address this issue, Final used an ultra-thin polymer film, also known as Parylene. The material was chosen because of its superior mechanical flexibility, stability, and uniformity of thickness. These qualities were essential to ensure that a thin, solid film would stretch without creating unwanted wrinkles or creases.
Superior transient response
The fundamental operation of planar magnetic drivers is the same as traditional dynamic drivers, the way they generate sound waves is different. The primary difference is that in the case of a planar magnetic device, the conductor is laid out on the diaphragm in the form of a 2D flat pattern, instead of a coil centered around a cone shaped diaphragm. This allows the conductor to react to magnetic fields on both sides of the diaphragm to produce sound waves with high-quality. This technology eliminates the requirement for voice coils that can alter their impedance depending on frequency, which results in distortion-free music.
Planar magnetic drivers are also lighter and more durable than conventional drivers because they don't contain moving components which can wear over time. They are also less prone than conventional drivers to distortion, which can affect the audio quality. They also have a faster response time and can reproduce sounds that are transient with greater speed.
However, the vast surface area of a planar diaphragm requires more power to move and produce sound waves. Therefore, these headphones require a headphone amplifier that can provide sufficient power. The extra weight and cost can be a turnoff for certain listeners.
Planar magnetic drivers also provide larger soundstages than dynamic headphones, which can make them appear more spacious. This is because a large diaphragm that is flat creates an unidirectional wavefront, rather than the narrow spherical sound wavefront typical of dynamic drivers. This is the main feature of planar headphones, which provide a more immersive listening experience.
True and natural audio reproduction
Planar magnetic drivers offer more natural and faithful sound reproduction than traditional driver models. Planar magnetic drivers create equal magnetic forces by using two rows of magnets unlike conventional dynamic drivers which have a cone-shaped, curved membrane that vibrates. The diaphragm moves in a wavelike motion. This helps to avoid distortion. They can also reproduce music with a wider frequency range, ranging from the lowest lows to the highest highs, making them an ideal choice for music lovers as well as sound professionals.
The thin and flexible diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver moves faster than that of the traditional dynamic driver which allows it to react to changes in the sound signal and provide an accurate reproduction. The lack of a coil that runs behind the diaphragm also reduces the possibility that mechanical parts will come into contact with each with each other, which can result in distortions at higher volumes.
The diaphragm is able to easily displace large volumes air to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's dimensions and flexibility are vital to create the rich bass you enjoy in your music. Dynamic drivers on the other hand tend to be smaller and stiff, which makes it difficult for them to stand up to the high-speed movements required to reproduce bass.
Despite their benefits they aren't used as often in headphone or IEM products because of the high price and the complexity of their design. Partly, this is because they need amplifiers to be driven. This makes them less portable. They are popular with music fans and critics who appreciate their superior quality of sound and outstanding performance.
Wide frequency response
While most headphones and IEMs use traditional dynamic drivers with a cone-shaped diaphragm that moves back and forth to create audio waves, planar magnetic headphones employ diaphragms with flat and uniform diaphragms to produce sound in a more controlled and consistent manner. This creates a wide frequency response that delivers accurate and accurate reproduction of music. They are also known as having a superior transient response. This means that they can react quickly and precisely to audio signals.
In order to achieve this, they use a planar array of conductors spread across a thin diaphragm sandwiched between two magnets. When an electrical signal passes through this conductor array, it becomes electromagnetic, and interacts with diaphragm magnetic fields to produce the push/pull effect. This allows the diaphragm's magnetic fields interact with audio inputs quickly, resulting in superior audio reproduction.
Another thing that makes these drivers popular among audiophiles is their low distortion rate. Because they don't have the same moving components as other types of headphone and therefore don't cause as much harmonic distortion. They also have lower resistance and provide a pure resistance load to amplifiers. This makes them simpler to drive.
Planar magnetic drivers are commonly used in high-end audio equipment because of their superior performance. However, this also means that they can be more expensive and require an amplifier in order to function which makes them less suitable as a 'grab and go' kind of driver. Nevertheless, audiophiles are willing to trade that extra cost and effort for the quality that these headphones offer. They are regarded as a top option for those looking for an outstanding listening experience.
Low distortion
The diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver is extremely thin, which means it can move at high speeds without losing control or breaking down. This gives a great transient response, which means that the driver is able to respond to sudden changes in audio signals very quickly and accurately. This lets you hear the details in music more clearly, and makes them sound more natural and realistic.
what is a planar headphone of planar magnetic drivers is that they produce the same force of driving across the entire diaphragm which reduces distortion at higher volume levels. Planar magnetic headphones sound great due to the fact that dynamic drivers have diaphragms that are thicker and heavier and cannot move as fast or with the same velocity. They may even fail if forces are too high or exceed their structural integrity limits, which causes the diaphragms to move out of the sync.
Planar magnetic drivers, on the other hand produce an extremely powerful electromagnetic force that is directly applied to diaphragm. This removes the voice coil that is needed in most headphones with traditional cone drivers that are dynamic. This can result in more dynamic sound, a bigger soundstage and a more powerful bass response.
Due to these advantages Due to these advantages, planar magnet drivers are considered by many audiophiles to be the most effective headphone driver. There are some issues to consider like the cost and power requirements, however their ability to provide superior sound quality makes them an ideal option for those who want the best quality audio reproduction. They offer exceptional clarity and detail in all frequencies, excluding low bass. Dynamic drivers are still preferred. If you're searching for a pair of headphones that can deliver excellent sound for any price, make sure to look at our top selections!