20 Things Only The Most Devoted Planar Magnetic Headphone Fans Are Aware Of

Top Planar Magnetic Headphones Planar magnetic headphones provide the most extensive and precise listening experience. They're popular with audiophiles who want to improve their listening experience. The best headphones with planar magnetics depends on what you prioritize the most in the headphones you choose to purchase. It all comes down to image clarity and distinction as well as clarity in comparison to bass volume. 1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic The LCD-2 was among the first planar magnetic headphones to gain attention. It became so popular that it is now associated with the technology, and it's still among the top headphones available. The quality of its sound is incredible, especially for a headset that is priced at more than $1,000. The bass is deep enough to extend beyond the human hearing range, and has an incredible amount of detail. The upper mids and lower Treble are warm but not in a snooty way. Overall, the sound is clear and precise and has very little distortion. The earpads are comfortable. The headband is soft and flexible, while the earpads are extremely soft. They are also light enough to wear for long listening sessions without becoming exhausted. They don't seal the ear like other open-back models, so you can hear what's happening around you. This isn't a problem for quiet environments however it can be a problem in noisy environments. As far as build quality goes, the LCD-2 Classics are very solid and made to last. The earcups are made of crystal-infused nylon, which is a great material for a headphone. It looks durable and is significantly lighter than the wooden rings used in other Audeze models. However the LCD-2 Classics don't feel quite as luxurious as other premium headphones. They have a bit of an industrial feel with all the screws visible and an absence of a polished look on the metal components. These headphones are still fantastic however they may not be suitable for everyone. If you're seeking a similar headphone that is less expensive, the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent choice. These headphones feature the same technology as the LCD-2 Classics but at a lower cost. They also have a better seal on the earcups, and come with a carry case. The only thing that's missing is the amazing bass extension and clarity that the LCD-2 Classics have, but they still provide an incredible sound that will please most audiophiles. 2. Meze LIRIC Meze Audio's affordable and innovative planar magnetic headphones have made it an international brand. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the latest model of the company's headphone. It builds on the success of the first generation model and features improved performance as well as new striped finishes to improve modularity. The LIRIC comes with an entire frequency response that ranges from 4Hz to 92,000Hz. It delivers music with incredible clarity and a wide soundstage. In addition, the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively reduces high-frequency peaks that can be fatiguing to the ears. Created for high-quality listening while on the move, the headphones feature closed-back designs to block out ambient noise. The headphones sport an ovoid shape that resembles the shape of human ears for an immediate connection to the sound source. The Meze LIRIC comes with the company's exclusive Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver with dual-shaped voice coils that improve ambience and spatial sound imaging. Dual voicing technology is the result of more than 30 years of research and development, making it one of the lightest and most advanced magnetic drivers for planar circuits on the market. To improve their audio quality, the LIRIC headphones feature a pressure equalization system that precisely regulates airflow and ear cup chamber pressure. This ensures that the wearer receives the same quality sound regardless of whether the headphones are worn at work, on a plane or commuting to work. In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC produced a stunningly smooth and balanced sound that's highly enjoyable to listen to for long hours. The bass is powerful and deep, with a sharp treble. The soundstage is large and there's a good separation between the instruments and vocals. I also liked the fact that every element of a song was too small to not attract the attention of the headphones from the attack and decay of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie down to the individual strings on an electric guitar. If you're looking for the best $2000 closed-back planar magnetic headphones, the Meze LIRIC is a great choice. It's a solid competitor to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but has a slightly different timbre and is a bit lighter overall. 3. Meze Elite In their quest to create headphones that are visually stunning and sounding great, Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio have been stepping up their game recently with a number of flagship products. The Elite the latest product, is their most premium headphone yet, and a worthy replacement for the Empyrean as Meze's flagship. Like www.headphonesshop.uk , the Elite is an open-back headphone that has a unique suspension wings design that improve their wearability. The wings function similar to the design on Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones, in that they spread the weight of the heavier than average driver across a larger area of your head, enhancing the comfort of listening for long durations. In my experience, they do indeed work very well and the Elite can be worn for hours without discomfort. The Elite is a reference headphone that features an upgraded hybrid isodynamic driver. It can deliver extremely low harmonic distortion, averaging less than 0.1% over the entire frequency spectrum. It also has a high sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW as well as an impedance of 32 Ohms which means it can be controlled effortlessly by even low-cost headphone amplifiers or DAPs (assuming they have the standard headphone jack). The Elite diaphragm represents another important improvement over the Empyrean. Instead of using a custom-developed polymer the film is a semicrystalline low-mass material that is engineered using sequential biaxial lengthening. This permits an Elite diaphragm which is flexible and thin, as well as offering excellent resistance to fatigue and cracking. The switch to a lower mass diaphragm also results in improved speed and resolution which brings the Elite to a level of performance that is right up against competitors such as the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a more affordable price point. In fact the Elite is arguably more accurate than the LCD-2 and it has the ability to be very neutral, while offering a sense of depth, transparency, top-end air, and transients. This makes it an excellent choice for fans of rock music as well as other genres where bass can be very significant. 4. Meze HE400SE The HE400SE is among the most well-known headphones with planar magnetic technology around. It's a great option for audiophiles who want to switch to open-back models, as well as for those who are already comfortable with the technology of planar magnets. It features HiFiMAN's new Stealth Magnet design, which reduces distortion and wave diffraction to levels that are almost inaudible. While the HE400SE does not have quite the bass extension some other HiFiMAN models have but it still provides solid low end performance for an open-back headphone. The HE400SE is very rich and deep bass, but it doesn't sound loud. The general tone is neutral but with elevated trebles and forward midrange which many listeners will appreciate. Vocals are incredibly clear on the HE400SE. The HE400SE is an excellent choice when listening to acoustic and classical music. This is the most affordable headphone for listening to this kind of music. If you're using closed-back headphones that have a bass-heavy tuning, the transition could be uncomfortable. It takes a couple of listening sessions to adjust to it. The HE400SE also has impressive imaging. The HE400SE can produce a large, clear soundstage that allows musicians to feel comfortable in space. On the track Let's Go Crazy by Prince the drums and vocals appear to be in front of your face. The guitar solo is extremely prominent and can be easily heard over the other instruments. The HE400SE is a great treble extension, with good clarity. The treble is a bit warmth to it but it's not too harsh. It's not as bright as some other open-back headphones with a brighter treble, but it doesn't sound as sibilant or fatigued. The HE400SE has an impedance of 25 O which means it will require a powerful amplifier to reach its maximum SPL. It will work with most smartphones and portable players but requires an amp with at least 0.5 W output power to reach its maximum SPL of 102 dB.