Planar magnetic headphones feature a unique driver design. This sets them apart from the typical dynamic and electrostatic drivers found in other headphones.
Standard dynamic drivers feature an electromagnet. This magnet sends an electric current through a coil connected to the diaphragm. The magnetic signal moves the diaphragm, creating sound waves that your ears and brain can interpret.
If you’ve spent any time in front of a typical speaker, you’ve probably noticed the cones moving up and down. These dynamic drivers are relatively inexpensive to make and very effective. This is why most headphones, monitors, and speakers use traditional dynamic drivers.
Planar magnetic drivers use the same principle, but they do it differently. An ultra-thin diaphragm is suspended in an electric field via magnets on either side. Once the electric current changes, the thin electrostatic material vibrates, creating sound waves.
Planar magnetic drivers offer much greater reduction in distortion and ultra-fast response times. The result is crisp, clear, and accurate audio.
Well, this is debatable. Dynamic driver headphones often produce deeper bass and more punch and kick. However, planar magnetic headsets offer greater accuracy and less distortion.
Planar magnetic technology continues to evolve, but the core principle remains the same. If you’re looking for the best sound quality, planar magnetic headphones are a great choice.
Contents
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
1. Audeze LCD-3 Headphone
The Audeze LCD-3 headphone is a godsend for people like me who love to get lost in music and lyrics that weave stories of joy, sadness, love, heartache, jealousy, and greed.
I like to sit back, relax, put on a pair of high-quality headphones, and just think for a while. These powerful headphones from Audeze can do all this and more.
More importantly, they are very special because of their rich bass, captivating midrange, and highs that will have no trouble getting you into the music.
Plus, while their structural design looks sleek and attractive, they are durable and made of the highest quality, solid materials, so if you accidentally drop them, step on them, or roll them over your office chair, these headphones won’t break.
On a more negative note, one reviewer was not happy with these headphones because they felt they were too heavy. If you’re going to spend close to $2,000 on a pair of headphones, you’re definitely going to want the most comfort.
While the earpads and headband themselves are very soft, if the headphones are too heavy for your liking, they won’t be comfortable to wear. So ultimately, you’ll have to decide if a pair of 1.4-pound headphones are too heavy for your head.
In the end, I would recommend the Audeze LCD-3 headphones for their premium sound, attractive over-ear design, walnut-colored zebra-patterned earphone cabinets, and comfortable design that delivers amazing audio through the speakers.
2. HIFIMAN HE-400I Planar Magnetic
If you are looking for one of the best planar magnetic headphones with excellent transience and vivid sound quality, I highly recommend the HE-400I. These headphones are designed for audiophiles who want to hear music recordings as the artist intended.
They deliver a vivid sound signature with an emphasis on accuracy and detail. Listening to these headphones, it feels like you are sitting in the middle of a musical orchestra, with fine separation on both sides, allowing you to capture details in the music that you might not have noticed before.
They are extremely accurate and provide excellent frequency response and transience, allowing music to sound rich in detail and imaging, and very smooth.
Furthermore, these headphones are designed to be extremely comfortable to wear and are 30% lighter than similar headphones. They also come with a newly designed headband with an improved pressure pattern to reduce long-term fatigue.
Overall, the HE-400i is one of the best planar magnetic headphones that delivers pure audiophile-level performance and is highly recommended for headphone enthusiasts who prefer a pure sound signature.
3. SIVGA P-II
The SIVGA P-II Planar Magnetic Headphones are the best choice under $500 as they offer a balanced and comprehensive sound, feature stunning black walnut chambers, are made of natural solid walnut wood, and are one of the most comfortable headbands I’ve ever worn.
Not only do these headphones deliver premium sound quality, they also look absolutely stunning with their natural walnut wood finish around the earbuds.
Combine that with the super-nano double-sided magnetic planar diaphragm that acts as a powerful driver to deliver great sound, and you have a pair of headphones that will always deliver the highest quality audio while you listen to your favorite songs, TV shows, or any other audio experience.
In addition to producing amazing music, these headphones are so comfortable that you will hardly notice that you are wearing them. The headband and earmuffs are covered in high-protein leather for maximum comfort and style.
And the ear pads are very soft and large, covering most of your ears, but they are made of a cushion-like material so you will hardly notice them.
On the downside, I have read some very dissatisfied customer reviews that said the audio quality was not very good. In fact, to quote this reviewer, he said the audio was nasal and boxy, which I think means it delivers a resonant sound.
And unfortunately, he said the echo came from the left and right earbuds, so in his estimation it was not an isolated incident or a broken channel. It sounds to me like a defective device and most likely needs to be replaced by the manufacturer.
In the end, I am a huge fan of the SIVGA P-II Planar Magnetic Headphones because of the extreme comfort they offer, the gorgeous walnut and mesh earpiece design, the 12-month warranty that will honor any failures within that time frame, and the balanced audio that produces a natural sound with optimized transparency and sound layering.
4. HIFIMAN HE-400S
The HIFIMAN HE-400S headphones are cheaper than the Oppo PM-3 that we reviewed previously. They are one of the cheapest planar magnetic headphones on the market, and if your budget is set at $300, these are the ones for you.
There is nothing particularly exciting about the design of the HE-400S. Some might say they are ugly, but I wouldn’t go that far. They are a typical, simple-looking pair of headphones.
The earcups are large and bulky, as you would expect from a planar magnetic headphone. These are open-back headphones that cover your ears. There are black grilles on the outer edges of the earcups, and the headband is somewhat square in shape.
Overall, these are not the most attractive headphones, and the open-ear design makes them unsuitable for outdoor use or on the go.
When it comes to durability, there are some good and bad points. The drivers inside the earcups are definitely durable, which is the most important thing.
The headband also looks very durable and is made of metal. On the other hand, I have my doubts about the ear cups and especially the hinge that connects the ear cups to the headband. They don’t look very fragile, but they are still made of plastic.
Comfort is satisfactory, but there is room for improvement. The headphones are lightweight (12.3 ounces) and the ear pads are covered with thick padding and velour. I have no complaints about this.
The headband has no padding. There is only a thin layer of faux leather stretched between the left and right sides of the frame. Surprisingly, it is not that uncomfortable, but after a few hours of use, you will start to feel a slight pressure on your head.
What really makes these headphones great is the sound quality. It is hard to find better sounding headphones in this price range. They are not as good as some high-end planar magnetic headphones, but they will satisfy any audiophile on a tight budget.
The bass is powerful and tight, but not as extended as you get from some of the HIFIMAN flagship models.
Still, they can make a serious impact. The midrange is dynamic, rich, and detailed. It’s almost perfect. Vocals are excellent and clear. The treble reproduction is a bit brighter, but never harsh. The headphones are very easy to drive and don’t require an amplifier to achieve great results.
5. HIFIMAN Deva Pro
The Deva Pro offers a satisfying sound profile that is well above its price range. Good resolution and clarity along with impressive balance. The combination of plastic and metal components helps keep the weight down. Comfortable and ergonomic fit with good leather ear padding.
Considering the flexibility offered and the impressive sound profile, this is a great value for the money. This is one of the few open-back planar magnetic headphones that comes with Bluetooth technology. The added dongle is not overly heavy and performs well.
The key to the HIFIMAN Deva Pro is its flexibility. Most planar magnetic headphones require a wired connection, so it’s nice to have an alternative.
The performance over Bluetooth is also impressive. There is of course a drop in quality, but overall it’s not as noticeable as other wireless headphones. It’s worth noting that battery life can vary depending on the codec you’re using, but even so, it’s still good enough for most situations, with a range of 4-8 hours.
The wired performance is also excellent for a headphone in this price range. The bass is deep, the mids are rich, but the highs are a bit bright.
The build quality is also pretty good for the price range. If you want a pair of headphones with Bluetooth, these are easily one of the best planar magnetic headphones you can buy.
6. HIFIMAN HE5XX
This is another classic that has been reborn thanks to a collaboration with Massdrop. This time, the iconic HE5oo series headphones have been updated. And for the most part, the improvements are much better than the original.
The high-quality sound from the HE5XX is relatively neutral, but not flat. There’s plenty of life without any loss of fidelity. This redesign has resulted in a significant reduction in overall weight. The HE500 series headphones, inspired by these headphones, were bulky and unwieldy. This lightweight design is much more forgiving.
he lightweight design is complemented by a generous clamping force. The earcups also feature nice ear pads that add a casual and comfortable feel. If you’re on a tight budget, the price point is very attractive. Planar magnetic technology is often expensive, but this product is very reasonable.
There are a few notable changes from the original. The new sound profile offers excellent clarity and a high level of accuracy. Only the midrange is slightly enhanced. However, this isn’t always a bad thing for casual listening.
The most impressive change is the dramatic weight reduction. The comfort level is much better than the original, and it’s improved in every way.
If you want a budget planar magnetic headphone, you can’t go wrong with these. They’re some of the best sounding headphones you’ll find in this price range.
7. SendyAudio Aiva
The SendyAudio Aiva Planar Magnetic Headphones feature ultra-nano planar magnetic diaphragms, a stunning zebra wood housing, clear transparency and clarity, traditional craftsmanship, a leather carrying case, and a balanced headphone cable with multiple adapters.
There are many reasons to love these headphones, as you’ll soon discover. Some people love them because they deliver high-quality audio. They can listen to their favorite songs, audiobooks, and radio programs from the comfort of their own home.
But when it comes to music, these headphones are truly outstanding. The open design and planar magnetic drivers deliver incredible audio that allows you to literally hear every instrument in the headphones.
But don’t forget about the high-quality craftsmanship. They use traditional craftsmanship and zebra wood to make the earphone housing. They look very pretty and are very durable, so these headphones are definitely designed to last.
Some may disagree, but the weight of these headphones is relatively light for this type of headphones at 15 ounces. Some headphones weigh a pound and a half, which can get very heavy and uncomfortable after a while. These headphones are lightweight and not uncomfortable at all. This is a nice feature if you plan on using them for hours on end.
One reviewer was unhappy with the sound quality. He said that the audio coming from the speakers was not very audible. I think these are broken headphones that need to be replaced. He should have contacted the manufacturer right away to report the problem and request a replacement.
Overall, I like the SendyAudio Aiva Planar Magnetic Headphones. Because of their great sound quality, comfortable headband and earpads, lightweight design, and overall listening experience that is fundamentally transformative.
8. Blue Ella
The Blue Ella Planar Magnetic Headphones are high-fidelity headphones designed for audiophiles. They are specifically engineered to deliver planar magnetic sound quality with a built-in 250mW amplifier for added convenience. The amplifier is paired with Blue Ella custom drivers to deliver crystal-clear audio performance.
The headphones feature custom dual-sided 50mm drivers that deliver exceptional accuracy and frequency response, with advanced planar magnetic technology to deliver uncompromising clarity and sound quality.
The headphones are custom-engineered for exceptional comfort and feature a closed-back design for immersive sound isolation. You can also turn the amplifier on or off to boost sound output or restore the low-frequency range to vinyl-era music, allowing you to hear the bass with clarity and precision.
If needed, you can also disable the built-in amplifier and connect the headphones directly to high-performance AV equipment. Overall, the Blue Ella are one of the best planar magnetic headphones and come highly recommended.
The sound quality of the Blue Ella headphones is very clear and well-articulated. The sound quality of these headphones far exceeded our expectations and brings out the best in audio recordings and music soundtracks.
Every detail of the music can be heard with great accuracy and very fast transients. The sound is smooth, complex and multi-layered.
When playing several instrumental music genres with the headphones, the instrument placement, mixing levels and the recording artist’s decisions regarding individual notes could be easily detected. Vocal performances were accurately reproduced with good levels of detail and soundstage, resulting in a vivid and pure sound.
These headphones are very sensitive to audio recording sources. For the best sound quality, we recommend using vinyl or FLAC file formats. The built-in amplifier of the Blue Ella headphones works really well and adds the necessary push to the music while increasing the depth of the low frequency range.
The sound separation of the Blue Ella headphones is very good. You get a clear sound performance with very clear details and a balanced tonal range.
The Blue Ella headphones have a very sleek and unique design. The headphones are slightly heavier than plastic headphones due to their metal design, but they are still very comfortable to wear.
The multi-joint design and plush ear padding provide a comfortable listening experience for long periods of time. The multi-joint headband easily adapts to a variety of head shapes and sizes, providing a level of comfort that most other headphones don’t.
The ear pad design provides a good seal around the ears, providing deep bass response and improved sound isolation while reducing leakage.
I also liked that the Blue Ella headphones feature intelligent power management, which automatically turns off the amplifier when the headphones are removed from your head. The built-in battery charges in about 3-4 hours and provides up to 12 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge, which is great.
9. Monolith M1060
The Monolith M1060 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones that offers wide detail and balanced sound. These headphones feature large 106mm diameter planar magnetic drivers that produce sound with less distortion, cleaner bass, and better acoustic imaging.
These headphones are designed as open-back headphones, which provides a holographic listening experience with a great soundstage.
You can really capture every detail of your music with these headphones and deeply appreciate the subtle nuances of your music soundtrack.
The Monolith M1060 also has a very comfortable design with large, comfortable ear pads that help reduce ear fatigue during long listening sessions. It is also great for musicians who want to hear pure detail in their sound.
You can tell that the manufacturer has put a lot of effort into designing and building these headphones to a high standard. Overall, the Monolith M1060 is a planar magnetic headphone that delivers sound quality that exceeds expectations and I highly recommend it.
10. HiFiMan HE-560
The HiFiman HE-560 headphones are some of the best planar magnetic headphones designed for reference sound for professional musicians and audiophiles. These headphones feature a very premium design and come with beveled ear pads for added comfort.
They are designed to be 30% lighter than other full-size planar magnetic designs for a comfortable listening experience. These headphones are full-size planar magnetic headphones that can deliver improved sound efficiency and crystal clear audio clarity along with good transients.
The HE-560 headphones have a wide frequency range of 15Hz to 50kHz and an impedance of 45ohms. They also have an efficiency of 90dB and can be driven by a decent sized headphone amplifier.
They also come with a premium cable made of crystalline copper and silver for better conductivity. I liked the fact that the HE-560 comes with real wooden ear cups for a rich and classic look. If you are an audiophile looking for one of the best planar magnetic headphones with great transients, the HE-560 is definitely a good choice.
The HE-560 features a single-ended planar magnetic driver designed to produce a good soundstage and spatial imaging. The design is very stylish with real wood finish on the sides of each can, giving it a very premium and classic feel.
I liked that the HE-560 is 30% lighter than other magnetic headphones, and offers improved comfort and sound efficiency.
It also comes with plush ear padding for added comfort and a newly designed cable made of crystal copper and silver. The HE-560 headphones have an impedance of 45 ohms, an efficiency of 90dB, and weigh only 13.3 ounces.
The headphones are very comfortable to wear and can be worn for hours on end without fatigue. The headphones have improved efficiency and can be driven by a decent sized amplifier such as the FiiO E17 amplifier.
11. Fostex TH-500RP
The Fostex TH-500RP is one of the best planar magnetic headphones developed with a conventional phase diaphragm for high-resolution sound. These headphones combine conventional phase technology with a large TH-900 diaphragm to deliver clear highs, rich midrange tones, and excellent bass reproduction.
The conventional phase diaphragm is made of etched copper foil on the surface and high-temperature polyimide film as the base material.
This high-density baffle plate produces high-resolution sound with a solid midrange and reduces unwanted resonances and distortion. The headphones also come with an aluminum and magnesium construction that provides a lightweight and high-quality construction and come with soft leather ear pads that provide long-term comfort.
The TH-500RP comes with a gold-plated ¼-inch plug for the HiFC connection cable, which provides sonic purity and excellent conductivity. I also liked the fact that the manufacturer provides a leather-textured carrying pouch for protection during shipping.
If you are looking for one of the best planar magnetic headphones that can deliver wide and full-range sound quality, I highly recommend the Fostex TH-500RP.
I really liked the sound performance and detailed sound signature of the Fostex TH-500RP headphones. They produce a very balanced sound and have a warm, tube-like roll-off treble range. They are able to provide excellent detail and sound imaging in music performances without sounding too harsh or brittle.
They can literally resolve and reveal details in music that you may not have noticed before, and you can virtually re-listen to all your favorite soundtracks on the TH-500RP.
In addition to the detailed sound quality, the Fostex TH-500RP also provides adequate bass impact and natural depth, making the music sound layered and rich. These headphones offer crystal clear and wide sound quality with full range detail reproduction
12. Audeze LCD2
The Audeze LCD2 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones with a vivid and wide soundstage. These headphones can handle almost any genre of music and reproduce every detail of the music with great clarity.
These headphones are acoustically designed for accuracy and can clearly express every detail of the music. These headphones can handle the subtle tones and nuances of the music really well with their dynamic range.
They also offer a flat frequency response that extends into the sub-bass range, providing a powerful and balanced sound performance. The LCD2 headphones feature a thinner and larger diaphragm, providing faster transients and clarity, and can be driven by a portable headphone amplifier.
The LCD2 headphones feature acoustic foam ear cups with lambskin leather and rosewood rings that look very sleek and elegant. They also come with a custom travel case that provides good protection for long distance travel. Overall, the Audeze LCD2 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones and is a masterpiece in its own right.
Conclusion
Owning the best planar magnetic headphones is especially important for those who prefer to listen to high-quality music on the go, in the studio, or at the office.
Finding the best of the best can be an absolute daunting task, as there are countless options out there. You can spend days searching online and end up more confused than you were before you started, or simply, you can select one of the above options.