Top Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones offer an extensive and rich listening experience. They're a favorite among audiophiles seeking to improve their listening experience.
Choosing the most suitable headphones with planar magnetics depends on what you prioritize the most in the headphones you choose to purchase. It comes down to clarity, image structure, 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 really take off. It was so popular that it is now associated with the technology, and is still one of the best headphones available. The quality of its sound is incredible particularly for a headset that is priced at more than $1,000. The bass is so deep that it extends past the human hearing range, and has an incredible amount of detail. The upper mids are warm but not obnoxious. Overall the sound is clear and precise and has very little distortion.
They are extremely comfortable to wear, and also. The headband is soft and flexible, and the earpads are very plush. The headphones are light enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling fatigued. They don't encase the ear canals like other open-back headphones, which means you can hear what is going on around you. This isn't a problem in quiet environments, but it can be an issue in louder environments.
In terms of quality of build, the LCD-2 Classics are very solid and constructed to last. The earcups of the LCD-2 Classics are made of crystal-infused nylon. This is a fantastic material for headphones. It looks durable and is significantly lighter than the wooden rings that are used on other Audeze models.
However the LCD-2 Classics don't feel quite as high-end as some high-end headphones. The LCD-2 Classics sport a DIY-like feel with their visible screws and lack of finish. These headphones are still fantastic, but may not be for everyone.
Monoprice Monolith M1060 offers a similar product for a lower price. They feature the same planar technology as the LCD-2 Classics but at a lower cost. They also have a more secure seal on the earcups and include a carry case. The only thing missing is the impressive bass extension and clarity that the LCD-2 Classics have, but they still provide an incredible sound that should please the majority of audiophiles.
2. Meze LIRIC
Meze Audio's affordable and innovative magnetic headphones with a planar design have made it a household name. The company's newest headphone, the LIRIC 2nd Generation, builds on the success of the first generation model with improvements in performance and a brand new striped ebony finish to improve modularity and a long, durable life.
The LIRIC features a full frequency response, ranging from 4Hz to 92,000 Hz. This provides music with outstanding clarity and a wide soundstage. In addition the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively manages high-frequency spikes that can be exhausting to the ears.
Created for high-quality listening while on the on the go, these headphones feature a closed-back design that blocks out ambient noise. They also have an ovoid-shaped design that resembles the natural shape of the human ear to provide a clearer channel to the source of the sound.
The Meze LIRIC comes with the company's own proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver that has dual shaped voice coils to improve ambience and spatial sound imaging. This dual sound is the result of over 30 years of research and development which makes it the lightest and most advanced planar magnet driver on the market.
To improve the sound quality, the LIRIC headphones have a pressure equalization mechanism that precisely controls airflow and ear cup chamber pressure. This ensures that the wearer receives the same quality sound regardless of whether the headphones are used in an office or on a plane commuting to work.
In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC produced a stunningly smooth and balanced sound that's very enjoyable to listen for long hours. The treble is clear and clear, and the bass is punchy with excellent depth. The soundstage is incredibly expansive with good separation between instruments and vocals. I loved that there was no detail that was too small for the headphones to miss, from the roar of PJ Harvey’s 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.
The Meze LIRIC is a fantastic choice if you're searching for the top closed-back planar magnetic headphones for less than $2000. It's a great rival to the Dan Clark Audio E3, but offers a slightly varying timbre and lighter overall.
3. Meze Elite
In their quest to make headphones that are stunning in appearance and sound quality, Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio have been stepping up their game in recent years by introducing various flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most expensive headphone to date and replaces the Empyrean model, which was their flagship.
The Elite is also an open-back, but with unique wings that improve wearability. The wings are similar to the ones found on Dan Clark, HiFIMan or Sendy headphones, in that they distribute the weight of the Elite's larger than average driver over the larger area of your head, enhancing comfort while listening for long periods. They do work well and I've worn the Elite for long periods of time without discomfort.
Sonically, the Elite is a reference-style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that can offer extremely low harmonic distortion of less than 0.1% across its entire frequency range. It also has an extremely high sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW as well as an impedance of 32 ohms which means it can be controlled effortlessly by even budget headphone amplifiers or DAPs (assuming they support the standard headphone jack).
The diaphragm of the Elite is a significant improvement over the Empyrean, moving away from the polymer that was developed by a custom-made company to a semi-crystalline low-mass film that has been developed through sequential biaxial lengthening. This technique creates an Elite diaphragm that is both flexible and thin, while also providing excellent resistance to fatigue and cracking.
The switch to a lower mass diaphragm also leads to improved speed and resolution, bringing the Elite to the level of performance that is right against rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a more affordable price point. In planar vs dynamic is arguably more detailed than the LCD-2 and it has the ability to be very neutral, while offering a sense of depth, transparency, high-end air and transients that makes it a great choice for fans of rock music as well as other genres where bass is extremely noticeable.
4. Meze HE400SE
The HE400SE planar magnetic headphones are among the most sought-after available. It's a great option for audiophiles who want to transition to open-back headphones, or for those already familiar with the concept of planar magnets. It's equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet design, which reduces distortion and wave diffraction to nearly inaudible levels.
The HE400SE is a good open-back headphone, but it does not have the same bass extension as some other HiFiMAN headphones. The HE400SE's bass is full and deep, yet it does not sound squeaky or bass heavy. The overall tone is neutral but with elevated trebles and forward midrange that many people will appreciate.
The HE400SE has a very clear sound. The HE400SE is a great option for listening to acoustic music and also classical and orchestral music. It's the most affordable headphones to listen to this kind of music. If you're used closed-back headphones with bass-heavy tuning, the transition might be uncomfortable. It may take some time to get the hang of it.
The HE400SE's imaging is also impressive. The HE400SE creates a huge and detailed soundstage, which allows musicians to feel like they are in the right place. The vocals and the drums are prominent in the song by Prince called Let's Go Crazy. The guitar solo is very prominent and easily heard over the other instruments.
The HE400SE is a solid treble extension that has good clarity. The treble is a bit warmth to it but it's not too harsh. It doesn't have that added brightness that some other headphones with brighter trebles possess, but it does have the sibilance or a fatty quality of some other cheaper open-back headphones.
The HE400SE is a 25 O impedance device, which means it will need an amp with a high power to reach the maximum SPL. It is compatible with the majority of smartphones and portable music players, however it requires an amplifier that has a minimum of 0.5 W output to achieve its maximum SPL.