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Are there any negatives to Planar Magnetics such as the HE500? - Page 2

post #16 of 18
3/20/13 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

1:  Comfort.  Planar Magnetic headphones utilize huge magnetic arrays on either side of their diaphragm.  The benefits are huge, including forceful bass and even articulation for low distortion, but the big downsize is comfort. 

 

2:  Sound Leakage.  Unlike a conventional dynamic open headphone, which is open, but the diaphragm itself only projects sound one way--towards your ear, the sound leakage is minimal.  With a planar magnetic, the diaphragm projects sound equally in both directions, meaning they're projecting the full brunt of their sound both towards your ear as well as out of the backs of the cans.  Sound leakage is very apparent.

 

 

Outside of that, they don't really have much weaknesses.  Being power hungry used to be a problem, but almost all of the recent planar magnetics are relatively efficient.

This, I was shocked with how loud the leakage is in comparison to my Shure 1840. I tried using just the outside and the sound quality is actually comparable to putting them on lol

 

Aswell, if it matters at all, impedance curves:

 

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/meridian-explorer-case-study-effects-output-impedance

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post #17 of 18
3/20/13 at 8:35pm

One more issue:  Because of their earcup size and weight, planars can sometimes shift in position when you move your head, which can change their sound in subtle ways.  I have a pair of Fostex T50RPs that do this.  I have to hold my head up straight when I listen, and the sound tonality changes when I look down to read or type on a laptop, causing me to re-adjust their position, which shifts again when I hold my head upright again.  

 

I am not sure if planars are more sensitive to placement, though -- I do not have enough experience with other planar headphones to test this. 

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post #18 of 18
3/20/13 at 8:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman7 View Post

One more issue:  Because of their earcup size and weight, planars can sometimes shift in position when you move your head, which can change their sound in subtle ways.  I have a pair of Fostex T50RPs that do this.  I have to hold my head up straight when I listen, and the sound tonality changes when I look down to read or type on a laptop, causing me to re-adjust their position, which shifts again when I hold my head upright again.  

 

I am not sure if planars are more sensitive to placement, though -- I do not have enough experience with other planar headphones to test this. 

Same with all headphones, I find.

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Are there any negatives to Planar Magnetics such as the HE500?