The Hidden Secrets Of Planar Vs Dynamic

Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones


If you're looking to purchase headphones that offer an extensive range of sound profiles, dynamic drivers are the way to go. These headphones utilize a voice coil and magnetic windings that move forwards and backwards to cause the speaker's diaphragm to vibrate.

This creates a spherical wavefront which represents audio more accurately. However, this could cause distortion at higher volumes.

Cost

Dynamic drivers are easy and cheap to make. They are a coil (the voice coil), wrapped around a diaphragm constructed of plastic and set into a magnetic field. They vibrate in response to the electric signals sent from your audio source. They require less power than electrostatic or planar headphones. This makes them more portable and easy for you to use when you're on the move. The planar headphones, however are more complicated motor systems and large diaphragms that require larger - or even multiple magnets to move. This means they will be more expensive and are usually heavier and bulkier than their dynamic counterparts. They also require more power to run and that is the reason headphones that use planar technology require an external amplifier.

Bass Response

A key difference between dynamic and planar headphones is bass response. Planar drivers provide greater linearity, more deep bass extension and less distortion when as compared to dynamic headphones. They also give an enhanced sense of image and clarity. However, they might not have the punch and slam of dynamic headphones. This has led to the rise of hybrid IEMs that use two kinds of drivers. planar magnetic gaming headset offer the best of both worlds and satisfy the wide array of listening preferences.

The dynamic drivers in headphones work by passing sound vibrations through a ring of wire that is suspended from a diaphragm. The magnetic field of the coil causes the diaphragm to vibrate, resulting in the sounds we hear. However this can cause distortion in the low frequency range, because the diaphragm's movement is not accurate or consistent. This is why it is crucial to think about your own preferences in listening and the environment you are in before deciding which kind of headphone is right for you.

The distortion of the planar magnetic headphones has been significantly reduced, as the vibrations have become more uniform and the diaphragm is moving less. In addition the flat shape of the diaphragm permits it to respond faster to changes in the input signal. This is especially relevant for high-frequency frequencies, where planar magnetic headsets deliver a sound that is more accurate and precise.

Dynamic headphones have a greater time frame than planar magnetic headphones and are the industry standard for bass response. Dynamic driver headphones have a flat response up to 20Hz. Planar magnetic headphones have a greater roll-off. However technology has improved the majority of planar headphones have a full-range bass response that is similar to high-end dynamic driver headphones.

The NAN-7, for example, is a top-of-the-line planar that has an impressive sense of bass and impact. Its bass is crisp and responsive with a superb sub-bass slam. Its ability to provide a strong, authoritative sense of bass sound and awe is a great choice for orchestral music such as the opening theme of Richard Strauss's opera, Aleksandr Solti’s “Alsosprach Zarathustra. The NAN-7 is also impressive due to its imaging capabilities.

Soundstage

Planar headphones usually have a wider soundstage. The diaphragm could be larger and move more evenly. This could result in a flat, broad soundwave that improves clarity and image. This is most noticeable on high-end headphones such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However it can also be seen on less expensive options.

Unlike dynamic drivers, which only vibrate the portion of the diaphragm attached to the voice coil The planar magnetic headphones have a greater surface area that can be moved by the electrical signal, which means they have lower distortion at high volumes. They also have better transient response. This means that they can handle rapid changes to the input signal.

However it is important to keep in mind that headphones with a planar design can still have a limited soundstage if they are not properly powered. Insufficient headphone amp power can result in a muddy sound and a'shimmer' effect that can make listening to music less fun.

Another aspect to consider is that dynamic headphones generally have a more natural sound than the planar ones due to the fact that they reproduce the frequency response and timbre of the original audio recording better. The dynamic range of the driver is also more natural and realistic than the 'plucked' quality of planar headphones. However, this can be compensated with an excellent headphone amplifier and some modern planar headphones are more powerful than their older counterparts, like the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is because they employ more advanced drivers that can be driven by a higher level of headphone amp.

Comfort

Planar magnetic headphones have gained popularity in recent years, and that's no surprise since they offer better sound quality and more precise sound. However, they are typically more expensive and heavier than dynamic headphones. This is due to the fact that they have a larger driver and require more power to uniformly move them. This is why they require balanced outputs found on most DAPs and dongles. They also tend to have more sound leakage than dynamic drivers.

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Pub: 26 Mar 2024 10:11 UTC
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