Planar magnetic headphones are some of the heaviest models on the market. They are inherently heavy, as the motor structure they use has large magnets, and larger magnets add weight.
Companies are working on ways to alleviate this problem and the added weight that puts pressure on the top of your skull, but if you’re used to relatively lightweight dynamic headphones, planar magnetic headphones can be uncomfortable.
Planar magnetic headphones are also larger than typical dynamic headphones, and their earcups cover more of your ears. If the extra weight or larger size is uncomfortable for you, you may want to consider dynamic headphones instead.
Contents
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
1. Audeze MM-500
Audeze collaborated with legendary producer Manny Marroquin to create the MM-500 planar magnetic headphones. These open-back beauties have been in the making for five years.
During that time, Audeze and Marroquin have refined the sound and reduced the overall weight of the headphones.
These planar magnetic headphones are designed to sound and perform like a dedicated studio monitor set that you can take anywhere. These headphones have a neutral sound signature, and the bass is solid and clean all the way to the bottom of the frequency response.
The tuned drivers used in the MM-500 provide a great deal of versatility in what you can use to power the headphones. Unlike other Audeze models, these headphones can be powered by a small headphone amp or the amp built into most pro audio interfaces. These headphones are an incredible tool to have in your arsenal whether you’re in the studio or on the go.
2. HIFIMAN HE1000 V2
The HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 is not the most expensive planar magnetic headphone on the market, but it is still incredibly expensive. At around $3,000, it is not for everyone. However, if you want the best performance, you will also need a good amplifier.
In terms of design, and especially in terms of build quality, the HE-1000 V2 headphones represent a huge improvement over the previously mentioned HIFIMAN models.
They are definitely one of the most durable and durable HIFIMAN headphones on the market. They look very premium. The headband frame is made of stainless steel and the earcups are made of metal alloy.
The durability and build quality are satisfactory. We’re confident they’ll last for years, if not decades. The guys at HIFIMAN have been really methodical. They’ve fixed all the issues people had with the first version of these headphones (the HE-1000 V1). All those metal parts are definitely reassuring.
The comfort is actually great. They’re on the heavy side (14.08 oz), but the weight is distributed well and the large pads are very soft and comfortable.
They’re definitely great for long listening sessions. The padding on the earpads is asymmetrical. The top is thicker than the bottom, accommodating the contours of your face and tilting the diaphragm towards your ears.
When you actually listen to these headphones, any complaints about their design will be meaningless. They are not overly demanding (35Ω impedance and 90dB sensitivity) but you will need an amplifier (preferably an equally good one) to really appreciate what kind of world-class sound they deliver.
In our experience, the HE-1000 V2 headphones provide the most enjoyable listening experience. We have not tested anything more expensive than these and can’t say they are the best headphones ever, but of all the headphones we have tested, these (along with the Audeze LCD-X) provide the most amazing sonic performance.
3. Sivga P-II
The Sivga P-II is another fantastic planar magnetic headphone. It meets many of the right criteria for an enjoyable listening experience.
The comfort level is top-notch. The clamping force is solid, but well-balanced and supported by breathable ear padding. Dynamic, engaging, high-quality sound without excessive coloration.
The soundstage is wide but not overpowering. It’s enough to keep instruments and vocal components within the field.
Aside from the fantastic sound and comfort, these are one of the most attractive planar magnetic headphones on the market. They have a lot to offer music lovers at a reasonable price point.
4. Avantone Pro Planar
Avatone Pro occupies an interesting spot in the audio market. It has a great reputation for re-releasing previously popular products from other companies. But that’s not all. It also develops its own proprietary gear.
These planar headphones are a great example of what the technology can offer. Excellent sound quality that is accurate and realistic. Plus, the wide and generous soundstage makes listening to music a pleasure.
They are also a good option for mixing and mastering thanks to their high level of neutrality. Despite their thick construction, they are quite comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
They are an impressive open-back headphone and one of the best planar magnetic headphones you can buy in this price range.
5. HIFIMAN Arya Planar Magnetic
HIFIMAN Arya Planar Magnetic Headphones stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons, including advanced asymmetrical magnetic circuitry, nanometer-thick diaphragms, window-shade open-back design, construction made of high-end plastic and metal, and a bold black aesthetic that delivers premium audio while still delivering true meaning.
If you’re going to spend close to $1,600 on a pair of headphones, they have to be incredibly high-quality. Fortunately, HIFIMAN’s Arya headphones are just such a pair of headphones. The most impressive thing about them is that they are actually very comfortable, despite being such a large and bulky pair of headphones.
That’s not the most impressive thing, though. The most impressive thing is the distortion-free listening, as the audio components have been tuned to such an extent that the music coming out of the headphones is explosive. It sounds crystal clear, as if it’s coming out of a hi-fi stereo.
What’s even better is that the optimized window shade open back design is specifically designed to protect the drivers while still providing the highest quality audio possible.
This headphone is successful because of its open back design. Without the open back design, you wouldn’t be able to experience such high quality and precise sound.
The window shade design ensures that the drivers are always protected and the audio is always open, but the shade always protects the inner workings of the earphones, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the headphones.
Unfortunately, you can’t please everyone all the time. One reviewer didn’t like the slight imbalance in the audio of his first headset. He returned the headset, got a new one, and the imbalance was gone with the second headset.
This just goes to show that you should never settle for an inferior product. If you report a problem to the manufacturer, they’ll usually be happy to fix it.
Lightweight, comfortable, ergonomically designed, solid and well-made, made of high-quality plastics and metals, and strong while still being durable and lightweight.
6. HIFIMAN HE-400I Planar Magnetic
The HIFIMAN HE-400I is one of the best planar magnetic headphones with a huge diaphragm designed for excellent transient response and high-quality sound.
This headphone is made for audiophiles who want high-performance listening in home or studio recording. It can deliver very clear sound quality with a very responsive transient response.
It comes with a huge diaphragm that allows for high signal input and flexible bass and treble response, and the lightweight diaphragm design also provides a very fast response time.
The wide diaphragm provides evenly distributed magnetic force for low distortion and live sound reproduction, and provides a vivid sound performance with a realistic sound stage.
The HE-400 has a modern look with ABS polymer ear cups in a glossy charcoal finish and has an improved pressure pattern designed for excellent comfort. We also liked the fact that the HE-400I comes with specially designed beveled ear pads made of leather and velour that provide a comfortable listening experience along with excellent sound isolation.
Overall, the HE-400I is without a doubt one of the best planar magnetic headphones you can find on the market, and we highly recommend it. The biggest advantage that the HE-400I has over other planar headphones is its sound quality.
These headphones are capable of producing a sound performance with an incredible level of detail, with clear highs, detailed midrange, and good bass response. With these headphones, I was able to re-listen to audio soundtracks and pick up details in the music that I had not noticed before.
Music and instrumental performances sound very vivid, and I could tell exactly where each instrument was coming from. Music flowing through the diaphragm sounded very pure and refined, and I did not hear any distortion or harshness at high volume levels.
The HE-400i headphone also provides very good transients and can reproduce the frequency range very quickly. This allows me to hear multiple frequency bands precisely at once, and provides a level of soundstage and detail that is rarely heard from headphones.
The level of separation of the HE-400I is excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed the refined sound production of each note. It is as if I was listening to a high-performance home theater system with layers of detail surrounding my ears.
If you are looking for a planar headphone that can deliver a vivid sound signature with very good transients, the HE-400i is the best choice.
7. Blue Ella
The Blue Ella is one of the best planar magnetic headphones that provide audiophile-level sound performance. It features advanced planar magnetic technology for exceptional clarity and detail, and a built-in 250mW amplifier that delivers high-fidelity sound performance. It also comes with custom-made double-sided 50mm drivers that provide excellent accuracy.
The headband is custom-tailored to fit the individual, and the ear pads are soft and padded, making them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
These headphones also feature a closed-back design for immersive sound isolation, providing excellent listening comfort. The sound quality of the Blue Ella headphones is very clear and clean, with great attention paid to the details of the high and mid-range frequencies.
The bass performance of the Blue Ella headphones is decent, but the bass frequency response can be improved by turning on the amplifier. Overall, the Blue Ella is one of the best planar magnetic headphones built for audiophile-level performance, and I highly recommend it if you want to experience music in its purest form with high-quality sound.
8. Hifiman HE-560
The Hifiman HE-560 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones designed to deliver professional-level audio performance. These headphones are designed with full-size planar magnetic drivers to enhance transients and improve sound efficiency.
The soundstage and level of separation that you get with these headphones are very impressive. Musical performances sound very lifelike and orchestral instrumental performances sound very detailed.
The headphones are able to capture almost every detail of the music and you can really sense where each note is coming from. The sound signature of the HE-560 can best be described as airy and spacious with a natural frequency range. The sound quality is natural and not overly analytical.
We also like the fact that these headphones feature a real wood finish with beveled ear pads for increased comfort. They have a very classy and premium look and are lighter than other full-size planar magnetic headphones.
We recommend using a dedicated headphone amplifier to pair these headphones with. Overall, the Hifiman HE-560 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones that offers very good value for money and we highly recommend them.
9. Fostex T50RP
The Fostex T50RP is one of the best planar magnetic headphones designed for professional monitoring. This headphone uses Fostex’s exclusive conventional phase diaphragm technology, which uses copper foil etched polyimide film and neodymium magnets to deliver clear sound quality. The sound signature of the T50RP is analytical but not overly flat.
You can hear very well-defined highs, smooth midrange, and a wide soundstage, along with good mid-bass performance. Vocals and instrumentation are very clear and well-defined, and listening to orchestral music made you feel like you were sitting in the front row of a theater performance.
In addition to audiophile-grade sound quality, the T50RP boasts a very comfortable design with a semi-open architecture for even clearer sound reproduction.
It comes with low-repulsion ear pads and head pads that reduce the feeling of wearing, making it very comfortable. It also comes with a 3m ¼ inch detachable plug cable for use in recording studios. Overall, it is one of the best planar magnetic headphones designed for professionals and music recording artists.
10. Audeze LCD4 High-Performance
The Audeze LCD4 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones built for audiophile-level sound performance. The entire headphone has been acoustically designed to deliver outstanding sound accuracy, incorporating planar magnetic technology that delivers exceptional dynamics and a surprisingly open soundstage.
The LCD4 features a nano-scale diaphragm that is lighter than other headphone diaphragms, delivering faster and better acoustic imaging with accurate bass performance.
The Audeze LCD4 headphones feature a doubled magnetic drive from the Double Fluxor Magnet array, delivering much faster transient response and better sound resolution. The sound quality of these headphones is extremely precise and accurate, with virtually no distortion at high volume levels.
The headphones are equipped with internal sonic Fazor Elements that guide the internal headphone sound waves to avoid resonance, delivering a more accurate waveform.
Overall, the Audeze LCD4 are truly solid planar magnetic headphones built for serious audiophiles who demand great sound quality at all levels.
The Audeze LCD4 offers one of the widest frequency responses available in planar magnetic headphones, spanning from 5Hz to 50kHz. The headphones require plenty of power to drive them, and have an impedance of 200 Ohms. These headphones make a difference in how you perceive sound quality. They offer very clear highs, rich midrange sound, and excellent bass performance.
The lower midrange frequencies are very clear and there is a lot of attention to detail, and you can hear every note and instrumental movement in a musical piece with almost no distortion. The soundstage and level of clarity you get with the LCD4 are outstanding. Classical and orchestral performances sound vivid and very detailed, and vocal performances feel like you are sitting in an actual concert hall.
The sound performance of the LCD4 headphones is characterized by a very good upper mid to high range and excellent sonic presence in the midrange tones. They offer a wide bandwidth, tonally neutral coloration, along with a very transparent sound signature that is faithful to the audio recording.
FAQs
Do planar magnetic headphones need burn-in?
Planar magnetic headphones do not need burn-in. Burn-in is a well-documented myth that does not apply to headphones.
Are planar headphones worth it?
Planar magnetic headphones provide a clean and accurate sound. Planar magnetic driver technology reduces distortion and provides a faster transient response.
Are planar magnetic headphones fragile?
Planar magnetic drivers are thinner than dynamic drivers, making them more fragile. However, the design and material quality have a greater impact on durability than the headphone drivers.