15 Things You Didn't Know About Planar Magnetic Headphone
Top Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones give an immersive and spacious listening experience. They're popular with audiophiles who want to upgrade their listening experience.
The best planar magnetic headphone depends on the priorities you set. It all boils down to image clarity and distinction, as well as clarity versus bass impact.
1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic
The LCD-2 was among the first planar magnetic headphones to gain attention. It became so popular that it's now synonymous with the technology, and it's still one of the top headphones of its kind. Its sound is incredible - especially for a headphone that can cost more than $1,000. The bass is deep enough to extend beyond the human hearing range, and has an incredible amount of detail. The upper mids are warm but not too loud. Overall, there is a lot of detail in the sound, and very little distortion.
The earpads are comfortable. The earpads and headbands have an incredibly soft and flexible feel. They're lightweight enough to wear for long listening sessions without becoming exhausted. They don't completely seal the ears like some other open-back models, so you can hear what's going on around you. This isn't a problem in quiet environments, but it can be a problem in louder ones.
The LCD-2 Classics have a very sturdy construction and are built to last. The earcups are made from crystal-infused nylon which is a fantastic material for headphones. It looks durable and is much lighter than the wood rings that are used on other Audeze models.
The LCD-2 Classics do not feel as luxurious as other high-end headphones. They have an "artisanal" feel with all the screws visible, and a lack of finish on the metal components. They're still a great pair of headphones, but they may not be suitable for all people.
If you're looking for a similar pair of headphones that is cheaper and less expensive, the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent option. These headphones offer the same great planar technology as the LCD-2 Classics, but they come at a more affordable price. They also have a more secure seal on the earcups and come with a carrying case. The LCD-2 Classics are missing the amazing bass extension and clarity that they offer. However, the sound is still incredible and should satisfy most audiophiles.
2. Meze LIRIC
Meze Audio has made a name for itself thanks to its unique and affordable line of planar magnetic headphones. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the latest model of the company's headphone. It builds on the success of the first generation model and features improved performance as well as a new striped finish to increase the modularity.
The LIRIC boasts a full-frequency response that spans from 4Hz up to 92kHz, delivering impressively detailed music with exceptional clarity and a broad soundstage. In addition, the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively manages high-frequency peaking that can be a strain to the ears.
For high-fidelity listening on the go, the headphones have a closed-back design to block out ambient noise. They also feature an ovoid-shaped design that is a natural shape of the human ear for a better direct connection to the source of the sound.
The Meze LIRIC is equipped with the company's proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid array driver which features dual-shaped voice coils to improve audio quality and spatial sound. Dual voicing technology is the result of more than 30 years of research and development which makes it one of the lightest and most advanced magnetic drivers for planar circuits on the market.
The LIRIC headphones have a pressure equalization technology that controls the airflow and pressure in the earcup chambers to improve sound quality. This lets the listener hear the same sound quality, whether they are wearing the headphones at work or on a plane.
In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC delivered a superbly well-balanced and smooth sound that is very enjoyable to listen for long sessions. The bass is punchy and deep, with a clear treble. The soundstage is wide and there is a good separation between vocals and instruments. I also appreciated the fact that no element of an album was too small to not attract the attention of headphones including the decay and attack of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie down to the individual strings of an electric guitar.
If you're looking for the best closed-back, magnetic headphones that cost $2000 The Meze LIRIC is a great option. It's a great alternative to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but offers a slightly different sound and is lighter overall.
3. Meze Elite
Meze Audio, a Romanian manufacturer, has been stepping up their game in recent years, releasing various flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most premium headphone to date, and replaces the Empyrean that was previously their most popular.
Similar to the Empyrean and the Empyrean, the Elite is an open-back model with unique suspension wings design to increase their wearability. These wings are similar to the design used on Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones in that they distribute the weight of the Elite's more powerful than average driver over a greater area of your head to increase the comfort of listening for long periods. Based on my experience, they indeed work very well and the Elite can be worn for long periods of time without discomfort.
Sonically it is a great headphone. Elite is a reference headphone that comes with an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that can offer extremely low harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 percent across its entire frequency range. It also has the highest sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW, and an impedance of 32 ohms, which means it can be controlled very easily by even low-cost headphone amplifiers or DAPs (assuming they support the standard headphone jack).
The Elite's diaphragm has been a significant upgrade from the Empyrean and is moving away from the polymer that was developed by a custom-made company to use a low-mass semi-crystalline film that has been engineered by biaxial lengthening that is sequential. This process creates an Elite diaphragm that is both strong and thin, as well as offering excellent resistance to stress and fatigue cracking.
The Elite's lower-mass diaphragm results in higher resolution and speed. It's now capable of competing with rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic at a less expensive price. The Elite is even more resolving and neutral than the LCD-2 and still provides a sense the depth, transparency air and transients.
4. Meze HE400SE
The HE400SE is among the most well-known headphones with planar magnetic technology around. It's a great option for audiophiles who want to switch to open-back models, as well as for those already familiar with the concept of planar magnets. It comes with HiFiMAN's latest Stealth Magnet Design, which minimizes distortion and wave diffraction to almost unnoticeable levels.
While planar magnetic loudspeakers HE400SE doesn't have the bass extension that other HiFiMAN models have however, it does provide solid low end performance for an open-back headphone. The HE400SE's lower end is full and deep, yet it does not sound squeaky or bass heavy. The overall tone is neutral, but there's some elevated treble and forward midrange that many listeners will find pleasing.
Vocals are incredibly clear on the HE400SE. The HE400SE is an excellent option for listening to acoustic and classical music. It's the most affordable headphones to listen to this type of music. However, if you're accustomed to closed-back headphones with more bass-focused tuning, the transition can be uncomfortable. It takes a couple of listening sessions to adjust to it.
The HE400SE's sound quality is impressive. The HE400SE creates a huge and detailed soundstage that lets musicians feel as if they are in the right place. In the song Let's Go Crazy by Prince the drums and vocals appear to be in front of your face. The guitar solo is very prominent and can be easily heard over the other instruments.
Lastly, the HE400SE has a good extension of the treble and clarity. The treble is a little warm but not harsh at all. It's not like other open back headphones with brighter treble, but it does not sound as sibilant or fatigued.
The HE400SE has an impedance of 25 O which means it will require a fairly powerful amplifier to achieve its maximum SPL. It is compatible with the majority of smartphones and portable music players, but it will require an amplifier with a minimum of 0.5 W output to achieve its maximum SPL.