The Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones, also referred to as orthodynamics, generate sound through a thin diaphragm sandwiched in between several magnets. They provide a clear and controlled audio that can capture all the edges that trail vocals and instruments for a stunning musical clarity.
They usually require a headphone amplifier in order to provide the drivers with the proper power. This is a small cost to cover the cost of headphones that can reveal the details and nuances in your music that you didn't know existed.
1. Dekoni Blue HE400SE
The Blue is a re-definition of the T50RP MK3 and is aimed at more neutral and bright house sounds. It's not quite as neutral as the Philips Fidelio X2HR but is still a great option for those who don't require too bass and prefer a more warm headphones that sound natural. The vocals are smooth and feminine. (Listen to Feel Good by Dominique Fils Aime). It is balanced between low and high frequencies, making it a great choice for long listening sessions.
The planar magnetic structure promotes accurate sound positioning, clarity, and a vast soundstage. This allows the music to breathe and gives you the feeling of being in an auditorium. The treble is crisp and clear, with a clear and non-fatiguing sound.
Bass is also impressive for a budget-friendly headphone. It's incredibly clear and powerful and doesn't sway even when listening to loud music. Its fidelity is also excellent with good midrange energy and great detail retrieval.
2. Audeze LCD-2
Audeze headphones are renowned for their powerful sound and open-back design. These headphones are also heavy, bulky and don't provide a good isolation. They will not be suitable for all. They're a great option if you want an audio device that has a pulsating climax.
With a custom-designed planar magnetic driver inside the ear cups, these headphones provide pristine distortion-free sound. They can reach low frequencies, which other dynamic drivers aren't capable of reaching. This is among the most well-known planar magnetic headphones in the audiophile community.
The LCD-2 was the first headphone to put Audeze on the map. It has the highest audio quality of its class. It has a deep, full-bodied bass with honest transparency and virtually no distortion over 10Hz. It also has a natural treble with appropriate levels for sibilant tones, and it dips at about 9khz in order to account for concha interactions.
The LCD 2 Classics retain the iconic design and sound quality of the original LCD-2, but they're much more affordable. They're an excellent pair with tube amps and they have more impedance than other open-back headphones, so you'll need an amplifier for your headphone. These headphones are not very comfortable and could cause your ears to become warm after for long periods of time.
3. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Nano brings the classic egg-shaped design and open back window shade of its predecessor up to date, accompanied by a range of impressive technological improvements. The Ananda Nano features a new NEO supernano diaphragm, which is 75% smaller than the original version's, as well as stealth magnetics that deliver superior clarity.
The midrange is airy and spacious, with plenty of resolution and a warm tone to it that will impress listeners with its clarity. This is a slightly brighter and more luminous headphone, with a slight edge in its presentation. It makes it stand out and adds some personality. It's not too harsh and does not suffer from any swelling.
HIFIMAN's low-end is thin in its texture, but it doesn't sacrifice performance or dynamics in any way, and the treble is clear and crisp without being overly bright or harsh. Unlike some headphones that can sound sluggish and closed-in, the treble of the Nano is a excellent extension and can create a sense and clarity even when playing at high volumes.
The headphone is easy-to-drive, and its drivers' acoustic clarity will allow you to get the most from your preferred sources. Do not believe the urban myth that these headphones require excessive current or power. I have used them for two work days lasting seven hours and for long gaming sessions and they are still comfortable.
4. Audio Technica ATH-M1070
Many music lovers, especially those with other priorities in life, might not be able to afford planar headphones. If you are willing to conduct some research it is possible to find a pair of headphones that won't break your budget. Monolith by Monoprice's 1070C model is a closed-back model with magnetic planar technology priced at $299 USD.
While the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C does not include the features that you might expect from a more expensive pair of headphones, that doesn't mean it's lacking in performance or quality. These headphones sound amazing and can be adjusted to your preference with some tweaking of the audio source you use them with.
The Monolith by Monoprice headphones are high-impedance and require assistance from your DAC/portable music player to operate the sound correctly. The company includes a variety of cords inside the box that include a three-meter coiled cable and two straight cables.
The Monolith by Monoprice headphones 1070C feature an 106mm drive that provides a full, detailed soundstage with a sense depth. On tracks such as Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight, the headphones provide the impression of sitting in the back of an orchestra. The treble is clear and clear, and the mid-range is smooth and warm without becoming overly bassy.
5. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
The Audio Technica ATH-50X headphones are closed-back headphones with an ear cup with a large dimension. They fit comfortably over your ears. The Audio Technica ATH-50X is a closed-back headphones with two ear cups that are large enough to fit comfortably over your ears.
The ear cups have a soft faux-leather covering that is comfortable for your head and ears. They also seal well enough to minimize outside noise. They have a padded headband that fits around your head to provide comfort, but it can be slightly stiff and can put pressure on the top of your head, which some users found uncomfortable. They have a wide soundstage and a good amount of isolation, though some of the high-end sound can get lost in their powerful bass response.
These headphones feature a lively sound profile that is ideal for electronic music as well as other genres driven by pulse. The headphones have a powerful bass boost that makes kick-drums powerful, and have a bright treble that highlights every note in a melody for vocals or guitar riff.
The ATH M50X is among the most popular headphones among audiophiles and musicians, however it's not ideal for every situation. It doesn't have the same flat frequency response or even articulation that higher-end headphones have like the Beyerdynamics DT 990 Pro, and can be a bit too warm in the lower frequency for certain.
6. Audeze LCD-XC
The LCD-XC is an open-back magnetic headphone with a planar design and is the first ever from Audeze. It's large and heavy with full wooden ear cups and metal framework around. It is the most heavy headphone on this list and one of the heaviest closed back models available anywhere.
The Audeze LCD XC has quickly gained a reputation as the most effective tool for recording engineers, musicians and audiophiles because of its transparency and neutrality. Its closed-back design provides all the benefits of planar magnetic headphones, such as greater isolation and reduced ambient noise for an intimate and immersive listening experience. Your favorite music will explode from the background, and take on its own life.
They feature a unique innovative planar magnetic design which makes use of space-age materials as well as an ultra-thin diaphragms 4X larger than typical headphones for fast response times, dramatically reduced distortion and higher resolution. Their uni
