Top Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones offer an extensive and rich listening experience. They're popular among audiophiles looking to upgrade their listening experience.
Choosing the best headphones for planar magnetics is based on the features you value the most in the headphones you choose to purchase. It comes down to image quality, clarity, and distinction versus bass sound and slam.
1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic
The original LCD-2 was the first of the planar magnetic headphones to truly take off. It was so popular that it is now synonymous with the technology, and is still among the top headphones available. The sound quality is amazing and especially for a headset that can cost more than $1,000. The bass extends all the way to the point of hearing, and it is awe-inspiring in clarity. The mids and upper the treble are warm, but not in a snooty way. Overall, there's lots of clarity in the sound and very little distortion.
The earpads are also very comfortable. The headband and earpads are a soft, flexible feel. The headphones are light enough for long listening sessions, without feeling tired. They don't completely seal the ear canals like other open-back models, so you can hear what's going on around you. This isn't an issue in quiet areas, but it can be a problem in louder areas.
The LCD-2 Classics have a very sturdy construction and are built to last. The earcups of the LCD-2 Classics are made of crystal-infused nylon. This is a great material for headphones. It looks robust and durable, and it's lighter than the wood rings that are found on some other Audeze models.
However, the LCD-2 Classics don't feel quite as luxurious as other high-end headphones. The LCD-2 Classics have a DIY-like feel due to their visible screws and lack of finish. The headphones are still excellent however they may not be the best choice for all.
If you're seeking a similar headphone that is less expensive then the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent choice. These headphones feature the same planar technology as the LCD-2 Classics but at a lower price. The earcups are better sealed and come with a carry case. The only thing that's missing is the impressive bass extension and clarity that the LCD-2 Classics have, but they still offer an incredible sound that should satisfy most audiophiles.
2. Meze LIRIC
Meze Audio has made a name for itself through its innovative and affordable line of planar magnetic headphones. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the company's latest headphone. It builds on the success of the first generation model and features improved performance as well as new striped finishes for improved modularity.
The LIRIC features a full-frequency range that goes from 4Hz to 92kHz, delivering stunningly detailed music with outstanding clarity and a large soundstage. Additionally the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively reduces high-frequency spikes that can be exhausting to the ears.
The headphones are designed to block out ambient sound and allow for high-fidelity listening even while moving about. The headphones have an ovoid design that mimics the shape of human ears for direct connection to the source of sound.
The Meze LIRIC is equipped with the company's exclusive Isodynamic Hybrid array driver that features dual-shaped voice coils for improved audio quality and spatial sound. This dual sound is the result of over 30 years of research and design, making it the lightest and most advanced planar magnet driver available.
The LIRIC headphones come with a technology for equalizing pressure that controls the airflow and pressure in the earcup chambers to improve sound quality. This allows listeners to enjoy the same quality of sound, whether they are wearing the headphones at work or on a plane.
In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC produced a stunningly balanced and smooth sound that's very enjoyable to listen for long sessions. The bass is powerful and deep, with a crisp treble. The soundstage is extremely wide with a clear separation between instruments and vocals. I was impressed by the fact that no detail was too small for the headphones to miss, from the attack of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.
If you're looking for the top closed-back, magnetic headphones that cost $2000 The Meze LIRIC is a fantastic choice. It's a strong competitor to the Dan Clark Audio E3, but has a slightly different tone and is lighter overall.
3. Meze Elite
In their quest to make a pair of headphones that are both visually stunning and sonically excellent, Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio have increased their game recently with a number of flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most expensive headphone to date and replaces the Empyrean that was previously their flagship.
Similar to the Empyrean, the Elite is an open-back headphone with a unique suspension design that helps enhance their wearability. These wings are similar to the ones found on Dan Clark, HiFIMan or Sendy headphones in that they distribute the weight of the Elite’s heavier than average driver across more of your head, enhancing the comfort of listening for long durations. Based on my experience, they really well and the Elite can be worn for long periods of time without discomfort.
Sonically, the Elite is a reference-style headphone with an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that has the ability to offer extremely low harmonic distortion, less than 0.1 percent across its entire frequency range. It also has a high sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW and an impedance of 32 ohms, which means it can be controlled very easily by even budget headphone amplifiers or DAPs (assuming they support the standard headphone jack).
The Elite diaphragm is a significant upgrade over the Empyrean. Instead of using a specially-designed polymer, a low-mass semicrystalline film has been engineered by sequential biaxial lengthening. This creates an Elite diaphragm which is flexible and thin, while also providing outstanding resistance to stress and fatigue cracking.
click the next web page to a lower mass diaphragm also leads to improved speed and resolution which brings the Elite to a level of performance that puts it right against rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a slightly more affordable price point. In fact the Elite is perhaps more detailed than the LCD-2 and can sound extremely neutral while offering a sense of transparency, depth top-end air, and transients that makes it a great choice for those who enjoy rock music as well as other genres where bass can be extremely significant.
4. Meze HE400SE
The HE400SE is among the most popular headphones made of planar magnetic material around. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make the jump to open-back headphones. It's also an excellent entry-level headphone for those who are already familiar with planar magnetic technology. It's equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet design that reduces wave diffraction and distortion to levels that are nearly unnoticeable.
While the HE400SE does not have quite the bass extension some other HiFiMAN models do, it still delivers an excellent low end sound for an open-back headphone. The HE400SE's low end is full and deep, yet it does not sound squeaky or bass heavy. Overall, the tone is neutral, but there's some forward-looking midrange and an elevated treble which many listeners will find pleasing.
The HE400SE has a very clear sound. The HE400SE is a fantastic option for listening to acoustic music, but orchestral and classical music. This is the best budget headphone to listen to this kind of music. If you're using closed-back headphones with bass-heavy tuning, the transition might be uncomfortable. It may take a few listening sessions to get the hang of it.
The HE400SE also has an impressive image. The HE400SE creates a huge and detailed soundstage, which makes musicians feel like they are in the right spot. The vocals and the drums are very prominent in Prince's Let's Go Crazy. The guitar solo is very prominent and can be easily heard over the other instruments.
The HE400SE has a good extension of the treble and clarity. The treble is a little warm but not harsh at all. It doesn't have that extra brightness that other headphones with brighter treble can have but it also doesn't have the sibilance and fatiguing quality of other lower-priced open-back headphones.
The HE400SE is a 25 O impedance device, which means that it will need an amplifier that is powerful to achieve the maximum SPL. It works with the majority of smartphones and portable music players, however it will require an amplifier with at least 0.5 W output to reach its maximum SPL.