Planar headphones

Planar headphones (with planar magnetic drivers) replace the small dome found in conventional headphones with a very thin, lightweight diaphragm stretched flat and printed with a conductive circuit. Positioned between rows of magnets, this diaphragm moves across its entire surface rather than from a central voice coil as in a dynamic speaker. The difference can be heard in bass control and transient clarity: the diaphragm starts and stops quickly, with little distortion, delivering tight bass and crisp attacks without smearing. The larger radiating surface also distributes pressure evenly, resulting in consistent listening across the entire frequency range. These qualities come at a physical cost. The magnetic motor makes the headphones heavier, requiring good support and a well-distributed headband to remain comfortable over time. Efficiency is often lower than with a dynamic model: a phone source is rarely enough, and their potential is revealed with a headphone amplifier or a DAC capable of supplying current. Most feature an open design, with a wide soundstage but no isolation, making them better suited to quiet listening at home than to transport. To get the most from this type of headphone, a portable amplifier or DAC provides the current a phone lacks; the complete wired headphones range brings together open and closed models, and the full selection can be found in hi-fi headphones and earphones.