Discussion Planar Magnetic and Dynamic Headphones

[kromastorm]

Hi All,

I have an audio technica open air headphone, I really like its open sound signature. The headset is quite old now and I am looking to upgrade it with another open air headphone.

In light of this, I would like to find out about planar magnetic and dynamic headphone signatures. I am guessing audio technica headphones come under dynamic headphone category.

Would someone please provide some information on how much would planar magnetic headphone would differ from this, in terms of sound stage, clarity and balance of high, mid and low frequencies?

Thanks

 

[Stillhart]

Not sure if people are going to agree with me on this but I think you're barking up the wrong tree. While planars and dynamics can sound very different from each other at times, once you get towards the top end, those difference fade away. In a blind test, I think most people would think the Utopia is a planar or e-stat just based on the speed and clarity (spoiler: it's a dynamic). The ZMF Ori has amazingly thick bass that you wouldn't expect from a planar. Etc etc.

So the technology is interesting but I think ultimately it can lead us to make assumptions that might not be the case.

What I will say is this: I think that at the lower ends, where there are more compromises in the sound and design of the headphones, you will find that planars and dynamics will be a little more distinct. So in general dynamics tend to be slower with bloomy, less controlled bass. Planars tend to be faster, with much more defined bass but maybe less of that midbass boom.

 

[Rhamnetin]

They are different technologies. Read this, it explains it all:

https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/how-planar-magnetic-headphones-work

Both dynamics and planars can really be tuned to have any sound signature though. A planar CAN have deeper bass extension and more bass impact, more transparency with faster decay and faster transients/more tactility, but definitely not always. These are advantages inherent to the tech though, and weight is an inherent disadvantage (but you can still make an even heavier dynamic headphone e.g. Focal models).

Also for me, planars and electrostats still sound noticeably more transparent and/or faster than dynamics even at the top tier (e.g. Stax, HE1000, HD 800 S, Utopia, Abyss) and planar bass (Audeze, ZMF) so clearly outperforms all others at every price range.

 

[buke9]

Not sure if people are going to agree with me on this but I think you're barking up the wrong tree. While planars and dynamics can sound very different from each other at times, once you get towards the top end, those difference fade away. In a blind test, I think most people would think the Utopia is a planar or e-stat just based on the speed and clarity (spoiler: it's a dynamic). The ZMF Ori has amazingly thick bass that you wouldn't expect from a planar. Etc etc.

So the technology is interesting but I think ultimately it can lead us to make assumptions that might not be the case.

What I will say is this: I think that at the lower ends, where there are more compromises in the sound and design of the headphones, you will find that planars and dynamics will be a little more distinct. So in general dynamics tend to be slower with bloomy, less controlled bass. Planars tend to be faster, with much more defined bass but maybe less of that midbass boom.

I for one will not disagree and think you nailed it when talking higher end models. With lower end models I think it is more obvious which is a planar and what is not for the most part . For inexpensive planar a HE-400 would be my choice definitely a planar sound not the greatest but with a bit of power can be just fun to listen to. Could not agree more on the Utopias , SR-009 you know it’s a electrostat and the Abyss you know it’s a planar but the Utopias harder to tell.

 

[kromastorm]

Thanks for the inputs. I am looking for headphone in range of $400 - $500, this might be somewhere in mid segment I guess. My current inclination is towards Sennheiser HD 660. So, wanted to explore if I can have some other options in planar magnetics, thats the buzzword nowadays.

 

[Stillhart]

Thanks for the inputs. I am looking for headphone in range of $400 - $500, this might be somewhere in mid segment I guess. My current inclination is towards Sennheiser HD 660. So, wanted to explore if I can have some other options in planar magnetics, thats the buzzword nowadays.

Yeah, interestingly, I'd call the HD6xx line the poster child for "dynamic" headphone sound. A planar in the same price range will sound very different. Unless you have a preference already for a certain type of sound signature, I wouldn't worry about the tech behind it too much. Once you know what you like more, then it helps narrow down your choices.

 

[Rhamnetin]

HiFiMan Sundara bar none. Probably the most technically adept open headphone until the $1,500 Focal Clear, and it does so while being musical and non-fatiguing.

I own the HD 6XX which is an HD 600, and listened to the HD 600 and 650 many times. The Sundara outclasses them in every which way. Much deeper bass extension and better texture and impact, more articulate mids, more refined treble with less harshness (people think because the Sennheisers have a low treble response think that makes them totally free of harshness and graininess but this is false), more transparency, more realistic decay, much more precise imaging with a more defined larger sound stage, more detail retrieval.

They also present sound differently; the Sennheisers are much more up front. But their time is over, HiFiMan has been outclassing them since the HE-500. The Sundara is also easier to drive and less amp picky. The only knock against it is QC issues but that is a rather severe downside.

 

[Monsterzero]

I own the HD 6XX which is an HD 600

HD650
There.Fixed it for you.

I cant find an adequate planar headphone. I tried the Audezes and they didnt click with me, nor the ZMF Blackwoods,and as I mentioned in a different thread,although many HiFiMan headphones sound great their ineptitude with quality control,not to mention the absolute audacity in their business practices and pricing leaves me not ever wanting to buy another of their products.

 

[Rhamnetin]

HD650
There.Fixed it for you.

I cant find an adequate planar headphone. I tried the Audezes and they didnt click with me, nor the ZMF Blackwoods,and as I mentioned in a different thread,although many HiFiMan headphones sound great their ineptitude with quality control,not to mention the absolute audacity in their business practices and pricing leaves me not ever wanting to buy another of their products.

I agree about HiFiMan for the most part, the exception being pricing. Their pricing is all over the place; they have had some of the best value higher end headphones the market has ever seen with the HE-400, HE-500, and now Sundara. The Ananda might have a competitive price too.

If you like your ZMF Atticus, then I predict you would really like the original Abyss Phi and even the AB-1266, although their prices are just outrageous.

 

[Monsterzero]

Yeah the HE500 is a great value for its current price,no doubt,but I refuse to support a company who charges 4k for the HE6 succesor,8k for another headphone and then of course 55k for TOTL stupid priced HP system,all the while using cheap materials,shoddy craftsmanship and stuff that just dies/falls apart from normal usage.

Learn to walk before you try to run.

 

[Rhamnetin]

Yeah the HE500 is a great value for its current price,no doubt,but I refuse to support a company who charges 4k for the HE6 succesor,8k for another headphone and then of course 55k for TOTL stupid priced HP system,all the while using cheap materials,shoddy craftsmanship and stuff that just dies/falls apart from normal usage.

Learn to walk before you try to run.

Yup not to mention all the quick V2 releases, it's like their early adopters are paid beta testers.

The HE-6 successor is actually $6k!

 

[Monsterzero]

The HE-6 successor is actually $6k!

Good grief!

 

[Stillhart]

Yup not to mention all the quick V2 releases, it's like their early adopters are paid beta testers.

It's not "like" that. It is that. They literally had a "beta test" of the HE-1000 and gave people discounts if they wanted to purchase it afterwards (then changed the discount on a per-person basis and asked people not to talk about their pricing... like that was going to happen.)

I like Fang and I like many of his headphones. The HE-560 was my main headphone for a year+ and I was a total fanboy for a while. But his business practices (make no mistake, the QC issues are included in "business practices", along with the pricing, the communication, the quick versioning, the stealth updates, etc etc ) have left me really sour on the company.

EDIT - It's a shame too because they DO make some excellent headphones once in a while. :-D

 

[buke9]

Got my AB-1266 for $2k worth every penny for me.

 

[kromastorm]

Thanks for the responses. So HiFiMan Sundara is the alternate for HD6XX in planar magnetic segment. Considering possible glitches in QC, its a big IF on its reliability factor. I do have couple of months before I plunge in to the purchase. So, I will shortlist this one along with HD 660 for now.