How Do Magnet Planar Headphones Work?
If you've never tried a pair of headphones that use magnetic drivers with planar design, it may be difficult to wrap your mind around how they work. Planar magnetic drivers use two flat magnets that sandwich a thin diaphragm and conductors. This is different from the voicecoil actuator which pushes a stiff cone back and forth.
Diaphragm
In contrast to a traditional dynamic headphone driver, which has dome or cone-shaped diaphragms, a magnet planar is a flat piece of flexible film. The film is dotted with conductors on it, which react with magnets that are placed on either side of the diaphragm. When the electrical signal passing through these wires changes the magnetic field generated by the magnets causes the diaphragm to react and move. This motion creates sound waves which are later heard by you.
The human diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscular membranous structure that separates the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary respiratory muscle and is responsible for inhalation actions, such as breathing, sneezing and coughing as well as crying and laughing vomiting, and parturition. The diaphragm is also a role in expulsive movements like urinating and defecating as well as pushing out the fetus at delivery.
A planar magnetic diaphragm is more sensitive to changes in audio signals than dynamic drivers due to its ultra-lightweight and thinness. Planar magnetic headphones provide more delicate, precise sound than dynamic drivers.
One of the drawbacks of planar magnetic headphones is that they are likely to have a bit more leakage than their dynamic counterparts, especially at higher volumes. This is because of the movement of the magnetic diaphragm in the planar headphones which causes some audio to be pushed towards the listener.
It's not a big deal if you use headphones only in quiet environments, or to watch movies. But it can be annoying for active listening or public usage. Thankfully, there are some very good options available to limit the amount of leakage such as the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Sundara. Additionally, certain brands such as Wisdom Audio are at the forefront of developing PMD technology and have been working to solve the issues that come with this type of headphone. This is why they have patents on numerous innovations that you can see in their products. Their flex-circuit-based planar-winding technology overcomes the limitations stamped copper windings must overcome to give a greater utilization factor.
The Conductors
The conductors connect the magnets with the diaphragm and are the ones responsible for the sound you hear. They are typically made of a combination copper and aluminum. The diaphragm is then wrapped around the central magnetic core. This is supported by the headphone's frame. The magnetic core is a cylindrical form of magnetic element and can be made from any material, however it is usually made using Neodymium. The core is the main element of any planar audio driver. It consists of nested layers with an helix circular in size, ranging from 10-20mm in diameter.
One of the main advantages of planar magnetic drivers is that they produce a much wider soundstage than their dynamic counterparts. This is because the entire diaphragm is vibrating when an audio signal is received, instead of just a small area that is attached to the voice coil. This greater surface area results in lower distortion levels, especially when the volume is higher.
Another significant characteristic of a magnet planar is its ability to respond quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This allows for a wider range of frequencies to be reproduced and more realistic sound. This is a great attribute for audiophiles who enjoy music that includes a variety of instruments and vocals.
The stacking design of planar magnetics reduces the variation between parts which makes them suitable for mission-critical applications that require high reliability. They provide greater consistency and less distortion of the magnetic field as compared to wirewound magnetics. This is essential to the efficiency of electronic devices.
The Magnets
A magnet is a substance with magnetic properties. It can exert an attractive or repulsive force on certain substances such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some steels. It also can attract or repel electrical conductors. This phenomenon is known as magnetism and can be produced in permanent, temporary or electromagnets. Magnets are used in many applications, including electronic devices such as mobile phones, headphones and laptop computers.
Planar magnetic driver technology, in contrast to traditional dynamic drivers or balanced armatures, which push an extremely rigid and stiff diaphragm with an electric voice coil to create the sound wavefront, employs an extremely thin and flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm oscillates and creates a flat sound wavefront instead of a spherical focused one, as is common in the majority of headphones and speakers. This creates a cleaner and more spacious soundstage, and is known for rich bass.
The main disadvantage of planar headphone drivers is that the massive magnets they have require a lot of power. This makes them more heavy and bulkier than other headphones drivers. Many planar magnetic drivers require an amplifier to function properly.
The amplifier should be designed to match the power output of the planar magnetic driver to provide the optimal listening experience. Additionally, the amplifier must have a high enough input impedance to drive the planar magnetic driver to its maximum output frequency.
The planar magnetic driver is usually designed to be either dipole (radiating equally and in opposite phase in front of and behind the speaker, as ESLs do) or a Monopole (radiating only in the direction of forward similar to traditional headphones). The most commonly used design is a bi-pole that has one north and one south pole. Its shape allows it to be easily fabricated as a single metal piece and produces a very robust field at the center of the faceplate.
Because of their size and effectiveness they have a lower distortion than other types of headphone drives. They are utilized in premium headphone systems where sonic accuracy is crucial. They can also be found in professional audio equipment such as microphones and loudspeakers. have a peek at this website are also suitable for medical imaging and other sensitive applications that require high-quality precision.
The Seal
To be effective for optimal performance, planar drivers need to be sealed very well and precisely. A tiny leak can drastically reduce sound performance and even cause distortion. It takes a lot of effort to design the ideal seal for the planar driver.
Planar magnetic headphones, unlike other headphone designs, must not have any gaps in the acoustic enclosure. This is because gaps cause the diaphragm's resonance to be influenced by different frequencies at the same time. The problem of crosstalk can affect the quality of sound.
Rubber ring seals are the most commonly used seals used in planar magnetic headphones. This seal can stop air leaks extremely effectively. It's also extremely durable, and can last for a long time. However it is crucial to be aware that this kind of seal could sometimes produce an unnatural sound. This is why it is crucial to select a premium rubber seal if you are contemplating using a planar magnetic headphone.
Another alternative to an in-plane magnetic driver is the liquid crystal display (LCD) seal. This is an advanced seal that is designed to stop gaps from forming. It can also withstand a lot of pressure. It is a great choice for audiophiles who want premium sound quality.
LCD headphones can give a clear and crisp sound. This is particularly the case for headphones that are high-end, such as the Audeze LCD-4 or HiFiMAN Susvara. It is possible to find LCD headphones that have the same audio quality at a lower cost.
It is also important to remember that a planar magnetic headphone can generate a greater volume of sound than traditional dynamic headphones. This is because of the way they are constructed. Planar magnetic headphones differ from dynamic headphones in that they contain two magnets that pull against the diaphragm. This can create an enormous force that can create extremely high frequencies.
Planar magnetic drivers are a relatively new technology in the headphone industry. They are beginning to change the way people listen to music. They have high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear. They are also simple to adjust.