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Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones are at the top of the pack when it comes to audio quality and detail.
If you are looking for the best planar magnetic headphones, this article outlines picks across different budgets, so you can find a pair of planar headphones that will work for you.
1. Audeze LCD-2 - Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Overall
Audeze is a legendary brand in the audio industry, and they are most well-known for their professional studio equipment and monitor headphones. The Audeze LCD-2 is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that kicked off their reputation for making some of the best headphones in the business.
Construction and Design
These headphones were originally designed for studio use, and they look the part. With massive circular ear cups and a suspension headband system that is designed to be comfortable for hours of use, these planar headphones look right at home in a studio setting.
Because of their professional heritage, these headphones not only have amazing sound quality; they are also extremely well built with a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
These premium planar magnetic headphones also come with a professional hard-sided travel case that keeps your investment safe and sound if you take them on the road.
Sound Quality
With exceptionally well-engineered planar magnetic drivers, an open-backed design that allows the sound waves to reach your ear naturally, these headphones let you feel like you are right there in the room with the musicians.
These dynamic headphones deliver an incredibly warm and rich sound with deep bass and full midrange that adds life to any track.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality and detail
- Durable, sturdy, and beautiful build quality
Cons
- They are quite expensive at almost $1000
- They aren’t great for listening on the go
2. HIFIMAN HE400SE - Best Budget Planar Magnetic Headphones
There are a lot of expensive planar magnetic headphones out there, but if you’re looking for the performance and detailed sound of planar magnetic headphones for a lower cost, the HIFIMAN HE400SE is a fantastic choice. At just over $100, these are some of the best bang-for-your-buck dynamic headphones you can get.
Construction and Design
These planar magnetic headphones are built with a very sturdy and protective casing that ensures the delicate planar magnetic drivers and electronics inside are protected and secure. These feel incredibly well built for $100 headphones.
Sound Quality
One of the unique features of these HIFIMAN headphones is that they use an engineered magnet design that makes it acoustically transparent, meaning the magnet itself doesn’t generate any interference in the sound waves. This makes for an incredibly accurate and detailed sound pattern.
Pros
- Amazing value and performance for your money
- Transparent magnet design for minimal sound interference
- Durable design and construction
Cons
- For casual listening, comparable bluetooth headphones may be more convenient
- Don’t expect the same quality as studio-level headphones.
3. Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX- Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $200
This is the second HIFIMAN appearance on this list, and for good reason. HIFIMAN is a brand that is seriously killing it in the more affordable planar magnetic headphone category. Teaming up with Drop, the Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX takes the performance-to-price ratio to a new level with incredible design and audio quality in an affordable package.
Construction and Design
The overall design of these planar magnetic headphones is definitely inspired by professional studio monitor headphones. The chrome and black design is understated, simple, and functional.
Sound Quality
These open back headphones deliver an exceptionally clear and wide soundstage that allows for fantastic separation. You’ll be able to pick out every individual instrument in a track while still enjoying an immersive experience.
Pros
- Awesome sound quality for the price
- Great for detailed listening
Cons
- No options for colors
- There have been complaints about quality control
4. Dekoni Audio Blue - Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $300
The Dekoni Audio Blue is another high-performance set of planar magnetic headphones that hit a relatively affordable price point. If you want similar technology and quality to what audio professionals use without spending money for professional-level equipment, this is a great choice.
Construction and Design
These headphones are based on the Fostex T50RP MK3 headphones, which are legendary in the audio business. These are extremely well-built, and have completely redesigned headband and ultra-cushy earpads that make these headphones extraordinarily comfortable.
If you are looking for the most comfortable planar magnetic headphones, these are ready for all-day listening.
Sound Quality
With the semi-open design, these planar headphones offer great audio transparency while still providing a good level of isolation from outside noise. The new inner baffle and hybrid earpad design increase the clarity and balance of the sound from these headphones.
Pros
- Incredible comfort from the redesigned earpads and headband
- Very balanced and neutral sound
- Fantastic performance for the price
Cons
- The design and color may not be for everyone.
5. Monolith M1070 - Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $500
As your budget gets closer to $500, you start to reach more professional, studio-level quality. The Monolith M1070 is an incredible pair of headphones at a relatively attainable price for anyone wanting to get studio-quality performance for home listening.
Construction and Design
The design with the formed sheet metal headband components is very sturdy and will last a long time. Monolith’s quality and attention to detail really shows in these planar headphones.
A standout feature is the removable ear pads. It’s easy to clean the ear pads without worrying about damaging the headphones, and you can replace them if they ever wear out.
Sound Quality
The 106mm planar drivers are massive, and deliver exceptional detail and power. With an ultra-wide frequency response, these deliver a massive range of sound detail to your ear.
The soundstage is very wide with these headphones, and they give a fantastic sense of space and separation within each track.
Pros
- Wide soundstage and balanced response
- Good separation and detail of different parts of the track
Cons
- These feel a bit heavy on your head
6. HIFIMAN Ananda - Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $800
For the best planar magnetic headphones under $800, the HIFIMAN Ananda is a fantastic choice. With advanced technology and great quality, these are near the top of HIFIMAN’s line of headphones, and they perform exceptionally well.
Construction and Design
One unique feature of these planar magnetic headphones is the asymmetrical ear cup design. This makes them very distinctive looking, but it also means they are designed to fit the anatomical shape of the human ear, making them comfortable and better at delivering the sound right to your ear.
The hybrid headband has a suspension system that makes these headphones extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Sound Quality
These planar headphones use a NEO supernano diaphragm, which is 80% thinner than most diaphragms in comparable headphones. This makes these even more quick and responsive so they can represent the minute details you miss in most headphones.
The amazingly lightweight planar magnetic drivers in these headphones add to the agility and sensitivity of these headphones.
Pros
- Amazingly detailed and accurate sound
- Comfortable asymmetrical ear cup design
Cons
- The price may not be worth it if you don’t need level of clarity these provide
7. Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 - Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000
One look at the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 is enough to know that these aren’t your run-of-the-mill headphones. Dan Clark is a legend in the audio industry, and these headphones are the culmination of years of innovation and research.
Construction and Design
These headphones are flat out stunning to look at. With the lightweight suspension headband, asymmetrical design, and carbon fiber construction materials, these look the part of a premium headphone.
The build quality goes beyond just looks too. It’s clear that the designers paid attention to every minute detail, and they feel solid and premium in hand or on your head.
Sound Quality
This is one of the few closed-back headphones on this list, and while you may expect that would detract from the soundstage and accuracy, the design of these manages to give you the isolation of a closed-back design with incredible sound detail.
Pros
- Stunning design and build quality
- Incredible clarity, detail, and overall sound quality
Cons
- You’ll want to have a headphone amp to get the most out of these headphones
8. Linsoul 7HZ - Best Planar Magnetic Earbuds
Planar magnetic headphones tend to be big, bulky, and heavy. If you are looking for more compact and lightweight planar magnetic headphones for on the go use, you might want to consider the Linsoul 7HZ earbuds.
Construction and Design
The construction quality of these earbuds is amazing and in a class of its own within the earbud market. Most earbuds use cheap plastic cases, but these are made of a single piece of machined aluminum. They feel exceptionally strong and durable without being heavy.
These are cable earbuds, but the cable is removable and you can replace it if it wears out or if you just want a better one over time.
Sound Quality
Compared to pretty much any earbuds on the market, these will blow them out of the water in terms of sound quality. The speed, accuracy, and punch of the planar magnetic drivers makes these sound incredible for any use.
One thing to note is that your selection of eartips will have a significant impact on the sound you get from these. I’d recommend trying several different eartips to find which you prefer.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight (5g for each earbud)
- Extremely well built with CNC machined casings
- Amazing sound quality and power for earbuds
Cons
- The stock cable is annoyingly short
9. HIFIMAN Deva Pro - Best Bluetooth Planar Magnetic Headphones
The vast majority of headphones on this list are wired, but if you prefer wireless use, it is still possible to get the audio fidelity of planar magnetic headphones. The HIFIMAN Deva Pro is a fantastic choice if you want wireless headphone convenience with planar magnetic sound quality.
Construction and Design
Unlike most wireless headphones, these don’t have bluetooth functionality built in. Instead they come with a detachable bluetooth dongle that clips onto the side of the headphone and slots into the AUX plug.
I love this innovative way of providing a top-notch headphone that still offers bluetooth functionality. It is very easy to switch between bluetooth and wired use with these headphones.
One nice bonus is that when the battery runs out of the bluetooth module, you can charge it while still using the headphones in wired mode.
Sound Quality
These headphones have the signature HIFIMAN sound signature, with awesome clarity, a wide soundstage, and a nice neutral profile that doesn’t artificially boost lows or mids.
The open-backed design gives these headphones room to breath and lends itself to fantastic separation and space between instruments when listening to music. It does mean that these aren’t the best at blocking out background noise, which can be a downside when taking headphones on the go
Pros
- Bluetooth capability
- Fantastic sound quality on the go
- Sturdy and lightweight construction
Cons
- Bluetooth battery life isn’t as good as traditional wireless headphones
- No noise canceling
10. Audeze LCD-MX4 - Best Studio Planar Magnetic Headphones
With planar magnetic headphones’ reputation for unbeatable sound reproduction accuracy, it’s no surprise that they are one of the top choices for professional studio use.
The Audeze LCD-MX4 is a high-end professional-level studio monitor planar magnetic headphone that is relied on by many of the world’s top audio engineers.
Construction and Design
From a $3000 set of headphones, you expect top notch build quality, and these definitely don’t disappoint. They are made with premium, high-end materials and feel. With a cast magnesium chassis and carbon fiber suspension headband, these don’t skimp on build quality anywhere.
Sound Quality
With an open-back design and a high powered magnetic array, these headphones deliver unbelievable amounts of sound refinement so you can pick out the smallest details in a mix. This is essential for studio work.
These headphones are designed to provide the most accurate sound reproduction possible so you can sound like you are in the room with musicians and hear every detail. They offer a balanced, neutral response and don’t artificially boost any frequencies.
Pros
- Incredibly detailed and accurate sound
- Unparalleled build quality and high end materials
- High-powered magnetic array for precisely controlled bass
Cons
- Neutral sound may not appeal to some casual users
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