Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones

Dynamic drivers are an excellent option for headphones that can produce a variety of sound profiles. These headphones employ an electric voice coil and magnetic windings that move forwards and backwards to cause the speaker's diaphragm to vibrate.

This creates a spherical wavefront of sound that better depicts audio. This can cause distortion at higher volume levels.

Cost

Dynamic drivers are easy and affordable to construct. They're basically made of wire (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm of plastic placed inside a magnet and they vibrate according to the electric signals sent by your audio source. They require less power than planar or electrostatic headphones. This means they're more portable and easier to use on the go. The headphones with a planar design have more intricate motor systems and larger diaphragms, which require multiple magnets or larger magnets for movement. They are often more expensive and heavier than dynamic headphones. They also require more power to run, which is the reason most headphones with planar technology require an external amplifier for best results.

Bass Response

Bass response is a key distinction between dynamic and planar headphones. Planar drivers offer superior linearity with better deep bass extension and less distortion than dynamic headphones. They also provide a more precise sense of image and clarity. However, they may lack the punch and slam of the dynamic headphones. This has led to hybrid IEMs that utilize both types of drivers. These IEMs can satisfy a variety of listening preferences and provide the best of both worlds.

The dynamic drivers in headphones transmit sound vibrations through a ring of wire suspended from diaphragm. The magnetic field generated by the coil causes the diaphragm to vibrate, resulting in the sounds we hear. This can cause distortion at low frequencies due to the diaphragm's movement isn't constant and accurate. It is important to take into account your listening environment and personal preferences before choosing the right kind of headphone for you.

With the advent of headphones with planar magnetic design distortion has been reduced considerably since the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm itself does not move as much. The diaphragm's flat design allows them to respond quicker to changes in input signals. This is especially true for high-frequency frequencies where the planar magnetic headsets provide sound that is more accurate and clear.

Dynamic headphones have a more lengthy time frame than planar magnetic drivers magnetic headphones and are the industry standard for bass response. Historically, dynamic driver headphones had a flat frequency response all the way down to 20Hz, whereas planar Magnetic planar speakers headphones had more of a roll-off in this range. As technology has improved, however, many planar headphones now have an all-round bass response which is comparable to high-end open dynamic driver headphones.

The NAN-7, for example, is a high-end planar that gives an impressive feeling of impact and bass. Its bass is nimble and tight, with excellent sub-bass slam. Its ability deliver a powerful, authoritative sense of bass presence and authority is a great choice for orchestral works such as the opening theme of Richard Strauss’s opera Aleksandr Solti’s "Alsosprach Zarathustra". The NAN-7 is also impressive due to its imaging capabilities.

Soundstage

Planar headphones generally have a wider soundstage. The diaphragm has more volume and is able to move more evenly, which can lead to a wider, flat soundwave that improves imaging and clarity. This is evident most on high-end headphones such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However it can also be seen on more affordable alternatives.

Planar magnetic headphones, as opposed to dynamic drivers, which only vibrate a part of the diaphragm connected to the voice coil when the electrical signal is applied, have a greater surface area which can be moved. This results in less distortion even at high volume. They also have a more transient response. This means that they can handle rapid changes in the input signal.

It is important to keep in mind that headphones with a planar design may have a narrow soundstage if they are not being properly pushed. Lack of headphone amp power could result in a the bass becoming muddy or an "shimmer" effect that can make listening to the music less enjoyable.

Another thing to take into consideration is that headphones with dynamic drivers tend to have an ethereal sound than those with a planar design, as they can reproduce the frequency response and timbre of original audio recording better. The drivers' dynamics are also more realistic and natural than the 'plucked' sound of planar headphones. However, this difference can be compensated by a good headphone amplifier, and some modern planar headphones have better punch than their predecessors, such as the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is due to more advanced drivers that can be powered by a higher quality headphone amp.

Comfort

In recent times, magnetic headphones with planar design are becoming more popular. This isn't surprising because they deliver more accurate sound. The downside is that they're generally heavier and magnetic planar speakers more expensive than dynamic headphones. This is because they're equipped with a a bigger driver and need more power to move evenly. They require balanced outputs which are available on the majority of DAPs and dongles. Additionally, they are likely to leak more sound than dynamic drivers.