Planar magnetic headphones use the interaction of two magnetic fields to generate sound waves, and can be distinguished from dynamic headphone drivers, which use moving coils.
Instead of concentrating the electromagnetic field on a single voice coil, they work by distributing the electronic charge across a thin flat film across the driver.
This disperses the sound across the diaphragm and requires larger, more powerful magnets than dynamic driver arrays.
This helps reduce distortion, as all the sound is distributed across the entire diaphragm, as opposed to being focused on a single voice coil.
It also provides better frequency response and transients, which are important for bass reproduction.
Planar magnetic headphones can produce a more vibrant and accurate sound than dynamic audio headphones.
That said, they require more power to drive them, which requires a dedicated portable headphone amplifier.
Here are our top picks for the best planar magnetic headphones for audiophiles and music lovers.
Best Planar magnetic headphones
Planar magnetic headphones are typically quite expensive. However, there has been a shift towards providing more affordable options for those who want to try these headphones technology.
Below are our picks for the best budget planar magnetic headphones we have also including high-end headphones.
1. Audeze LCD-XC
The LCD-XC from Audeze is a closed-back headphone with incredible performance. It is a testament to the absolute pinnacle of design and execution.
The advanced planar magnetic drivers provide an unbeatable listening experience. Even similar headphones on the market struggle to match the smooth and detailed sound.
The soundstage is also very impressive for a set of closed-back planar magnetic headphones.
The closed design provides noise isolation, allowing you to enjoy your music without distraction. Without disturbing others.
With the high-quality materials and attention to detail, it is no wonder that people are giving this product so many compliments.
This is a pricey product, but it is worth the investment. It is one of the best planar magnetic headphones on the market, especially if you need closed-back cans with noise isolation.
2. Hifiman HE-560
The HE-560 is another budget headphone from HIFIMAN.
Their sonic performance is definitely on par with the more expensive models under $1000, and they were priced around $800 when they were first released, but there is a common issue with these headphones, which is related to the build quality.
This is probably why the price has dropped so quickly. Still, in terms of audio performance, these headphones are great, but you just have to be careful with them.
Like all planar magnetic headphones, the HE-560 headphones are a bit bulky. The outer edges of the cups are covered with a black aluminum grille.
The frame is made of aluminum and the old-school suspension headband is made of leather. The earcups are plastic but they seem sturdy enough.
There is a simple veneer that covers the rim of the earcups, which adds a bit of style.
In our opinion, this makes them look a bit cheap. Overall, we weren’t disappointed with the design, but we weren’t impressed.
The build quality is generally satisfactory, but there is one major issue that we’ll discuss in the “What We Disliked” section.
Compared to other planar magnetic headphones, the HE-560 is quite comfortable. At 13.3 oz, it’s not too heavy for a planar magnetic headphone.
The ear pads on these headphones are what we call hybrid pads (the edges are leatherette, and the interior is velour).
They are soft and comfortable. Some people prefer the sound of all leatherette ear pads because it improves the bass response (making it more punchy and powerful).
The weight is distributed well thanks to the suspension band. You may experience fatigue or discomfort after a few hours of wearing them, but this isn’t uncommon.
As for comfort, these are among the best planar magnetic headphones on the market.
The bass is quite extended. It’s present, punchy, and powerful, but smooth and well-controlled.
These aren’t the most bass-heavy of the flat-panel magnetic headphones on the market, and the bass isn’t as detailed as ever, but it’s still impressive.
The midrange is very neutral. The lower midrange is not overshadowed by the bass. It is clear and punchy. All the instruments and most of the vocals sound very natural and authentic.
Some high-pitched female voices can sound a bit bright due to the peak starting at 4kHz. Nothing in the midrange is really noticeable, but it is quite detailed.
The treble is probably the most prominent part of the frequency spectrum. Some people might find it bright or even harsh.
This is all due to the peak we mentioned. It starts at around 4kHz and ends at around 5.5kHz. If you lower this range by 2dB, you will hear a much more neutral treble and definitely hear more detail. More importantly, you will hear less harshness.
Overall, these headphones have a punchy but more laid-back sound with smooth bass, a clean midrange, and a slightly emphasized treble.
The HE-560 is not too demanding (40Ω impedance, 90dB sensitivity) but you will still need an amplifier to get the best performance.
3. Dan Clark Audio E3
Dan Clark Audio has been making high-quality headphones for over a decade, and I’ve always been impressed with their products.
The E3 is one of their newest models and is slowly becoming my favorite headphone. The first thing I noticed was how comfortable it is for a large planar magnetic headphone.
The suspension system is excellent and the cushions are cozy.
The soundstage is wide despite being a closed headphone. The bass response is tight and powerful.
The great sound of the headphones is due to Dan Clark Audio’s exclusive V-plane diaphragm, which gives the sound a lightning-fast attack and decay.
Dan Clark Audio also adjusted the baffle on each earcup and provided the drivers with a special waveguide, diffusion control, and Helmholtz resonator to minimize standing waves and other distortions that muddy the sound.
4. HIFIMAN Ananda
The HIFIMAN Ananda is a perfect example of a balance between a reasonable price point and high-quality sound. Planar magnetic headphones can be expensive.
They’re not cheap, but they offer excellent value for money.
The natural sound is the highlight. The powerful bass response and pleasant midrange are backed up by a clean top end. At the same time, there’s almost no sub-bass, which is a problem with many open-back headphones.
Comfort is also high, with the pleasant earcup padding that allows plenty of breathability. The fit is firm, but it adds stability.
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones with impressive sound quality, you can’t go wrong with the Ananda. It’s a great middle ground between affordable planar magnetic headphones and premium options.
5. Monolith M1060
Many reviewers want to make you believe that headphone manufacturers are the ultimate evil.
They are so paranoid and convinced that the manufacturer is trying to trick them when they accidentally break their headphones. But that is far from the truth and Monolith has an amazing money-back guarantee and warranty to back it up.
If these headphones accidentally break within the first 5 years, they will replace them for free, no questions asked.
So if you are unfortunate enough to drop them on the floor and step on them and one of the ear cups breaks into a million pieces, Monolith will take care of you and replace them completely. They really stand by their product.
On the other hand, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to all their customers.
So if you buy a pair of headphones and for some reason you don’t like them (they are too heavy, too bulky, or they don’t fit properly on your head), you can return them and get your money back immediately. They do their best to make all their customers happy.
Speaking of satisfied and dissatisfied customers, one reviewer said that when he took the earphones out of the box, the wooden case and ring surrounding one of the earbuds was broken.
Well, since it’s brand new and has a 5-year replacement warranty, all she had to do was contact the manufacturer and let them know about the issue.
They’d be happy to replace the broken headphones for her.
Now she’s complaining that the Monolith M 1060 Planar Magnetic Headphones are a bit too heavy.
Well, she can return them under the 30-day money-back guarantee but don’t wait too long before the time runs out.
6. Dekoni Planar Magnetic Headphone
If you cut through all the technical rambling and try these headphones for yourself, you’ll quickly realize that the wider soundstage adds to the ambient noise.
This means the sound quality is cleaner, flatter, and more open as if you were standing in a stadium listening to your favorite performer live in front of thousands of people.
Aside from that, the audio is well balanced, with a smoother frequency response, lower distortion, and a rich midrange while still maintaining the sound output without ruining the overall experience.
These headphones have been slightly tuned to deliver amazing audio sound while also providing lasting comfort.
And speaking of comfort, while these headphones are relatively lightweight compared to other types of headphones, one reviewer felt that the overall design was too bulky.
Some people don’t like the extra bulk of the headphones and find it uncomfortable, but if you know that these headphones are big to begin with and don’t mind, then this won’t be an issue at all.
Other reviewers felt that the maximum sound was on the low side, so if you like to play your music loudly, these headphones might not live up to your expectations and you might want to avoid them.
They’re affordable, offer high-quality audio, are comfortable and lightweight, and offer a more vibrant bass, consistent midrange, and decent treble, creating an addictive music experience that you won’t be able to live without.
In conclusion, it’s easy to like the Dekoni Planar Magnetic Headphones.
7. Dekoni Blue
The Dekoni Blue offers excellent value for the quality on display. It’s a little over the budget range, but worth every dollar.
The blue color sets it apart from many other common planar magnetic headphones. A bit of a retro vibe in a modern world.
The Dekoni Blue takes the existing framework of the popular Fostex T50RP MK3 and improves it even further. Most importantly, the level of comfort is sublime.
Dekoni is famous for their ear padding products, and their expertise is fully expressed here. These planar magnetic headphones are perfect for long listening sessions, and they are comfortable and secure on the head.
The bass is warm and punchy. The mids are well defined and the highs offer a tight response. However, these are more of a consumer-sound profile.
It’s not a good choice for purists or studio pros. The Dekoni Blue is one of the best planar magnetic headphones for those on a budget.
8. HIFIMAN Deva Planar Magnetic Headphone
It may have been a mistake not to make these headphones the best overall. I found one complaint, but it was so minor that it didn’t even need to be mentioned.
In fact, people were so in love with these headphones that they wondered where they had been all their lives! Reviewers love the comfortable feel of these headphones, the attractive design, the well-defined bass, the crystal-clear highs, and the overall audio experience.
In fact, they believe that the sound is very good thanks to the internal DAC amplifier. And since they are so affordable at under $300, many people choose these headphones and love the experience.
However, on the internet full of complaints, I found only one complaint! The one complaint was that the headband was uneven for one person.
I haven’t seen anyone else mention this issue and I don’t think anyone else has had a problem with the headband.
Nothing is perfect though, and while it may be a design flaw of a particular headset, most people seem to love these headphones and the ultimate audio experience they provide.
Overall, the HIFIMAN Deva Planar Magnetic Headphones are a cut above the rest, delivering a fantastic soundstage, a wide yet personal soundstage, deep bass, wired and wireless functionality, impressive Bluetooth connectivity, and a 3.5mm SE cable that seems to impress many reviewers from afar.
9. Fostex T50RP MK3
The Fostex T50RP MK3 is one of the best planar magnetic headphones designed for studio listening and professional recording.
It is a professional-grade monitor headphone used in recording studios, featuring Fostex’s unique planar magnetic driver unit and Regular Phase technology diaphragm to provide a refined sound experience.
The Regular Phase diaphragm of this headphone uses copper foil etched polyimide film and neodymium magnets to create a wide and spacious sound stage.
The headphone offers up to 3000mW of input level to suit a variety of professional listening applications and is semi-open for flat and clear sound performance.
The headphone also comes with low-repulsion ear padding and head pad for maximum comfort, a 3m ¼-inch detachable plug cable for serviceability, and a 1.2mm mini-plug cable for portable audio use.
The T50RP housing, ear pads, and head pads have been redesigned to enhance the sound performance of the RP drivers and provide a comfortable listening experience.
If you are looking for one of the best planar magnetic headphones for professional monitoring, I highly recommend the Fostex T50RP MK3 headphones.
The T50RP headphones deliver crystal clear audiophile-level sound quality. They are ideal for music lovers and professional recording artists and can bring out the best and worst in music recordings.
The Fostex MK3 has a very clear and precise sound signature that literally captures every detail of the music.
The midrange is very realistic and has a sound signature that is slightly focused on the lower midrange while delivering subtle low-mid tones.
The headphones can reproduce bass guitar mid-low tones really well, and you can hear the low-end crunch of electric and acoustic guitars.
The Fostex T50RP has a standard professional studio monitoring headphone shape with durable ear cans and a very soft headband.
The leather headband is very comfortable to wear and evenly distributes the weight of the headphones so that your ears do not get tired. The headband is adjustable to fit a variety of head sizes and adds to the comfort.
10. HIFIMAN Sundara
The HIFIMAN Sundara is a uniquely designed planar magnetic headphone with a wider planar diaphragm and a more efficient frequency response.
The headphone is designed to be 80% thinner than the HE400 series, which provides more transience and detailed sound quality.
It comes with an ultra-fine diaphragm capable of producing high-quality sound performance and has a very wide frequency range from 6Hz to 75kHz.
The headphone comes with a weight distribution strap for comfort and a more fashion-conscious look with a stylish and luxurious matte black finish.
The headphone also comes with a 3.5mm headphone connector for versatility. The Sundara headphone is relatively lightweight, weighing around 372g, has an impedance of 37ohms and a sensitivity of 94dB.
It also works well with portable headphone amplifiers and delivers a clean and spacious sound performance.
Overall, the HIFIMAN Sundara is one of the best planar magnetic headphones we have tested, delivering a much cleaner and clearer sound performance than expected.
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Buying Guide
Price
This isn’t that hard. It all depends on your budget. If you can’t afford to spend less than $500. If you can afford to spend more, then the number of viable options increases.
If you’re curious and want to try out planar magnetic technology, then it’s probably wise to stick to less than $1,000.
If you’re an audiophile and can afford to spend more than $1,000, then go with what you think is right for you. Planar magnetic headphones that cost $1,000 or more are all pretty good, even great.
Sound Quality
Planar magnetic drivers are known for their fantastic sound quality. They are very detailed and accurate without distortion. However, not all planar headphones sound the same.
If you work in a studio or want an analytical sound profile, choose planar magnetic headphones with a neutral transmission.
These headphones are more accurate and faithful to the source material. It makes it easier to make mixing decisions.
They also provide a true listening experience when listening to music casually. Headphones like the HIFIMAN Arya offer a detailed and neutral sound.
If you just want to listen to music, you can choose planar magnetic headphones that offer a slightly more colored sound.
Some planar drivers can provide a richer bass response rather than a flat and lifeless one. This makes listening to music more enjoyable but at the expense of accuracy.
Comfort
It’s also important to choose planar magnetic headphones that offer high levels of comfort. Whether you’re in the studio for hours or just enjoying your favorite album.
You want to immerse yourself in your audio, but you don’t want to worry about the pressure your headphones are putting on your head.
Planar headphones tend to be a bit heavy, so design is important. Soft padding, a flexible and comfortable headband, and good weight distribution are the key factors to look for.
Choose planar magnetic headphones that offer high comfort. You’ll have a much more enjoyable time using them.
Design
Appearance is subjective, but it’s worth considering. I’d rather have ugly headphones than flashy ones that perform well but don’t perform well. But there’s no reason you can’t have both.
Audeze headphones are hanging on a mic stand. Headphones from reputable brands like Audeze offer premium build quality.
In addition to appearance, it’s also worth considering the design of planar magnetic headphones themselves. Closed-back options offer noise isolation, but open-back planar magnetic headphones offer a better soundstage.
Over-ear headphones tend to dominate the room, which isn’t surprising given the size requirements of planar magnetic drivers. Unfortunately, it’s rare to find in-ear or on-ear headphones that feature planar drivers.
Build quality
Planar magnetic technology is fragile, but if the headphones are well-made, there’s no reason they shouldn’t last. Metal components or thick plastic are better.
Another thing to look for is sturdy and durable ear padding. If the ear padding is easily replaceable, that’s even better. This will save you money down the road, as well as give you more flexibility when choosing your preferred material.
Cable quality is also worth checking. Ideally, you’ll want a cable that doesn’t tangle easily and doesn’t transmit unwanted sound to your cans. Length will vary depending on your personal preference.
Are planar magnetic headphones worth it?
If you want the best listening experience and are willing to pay more than old-school headphones, then yes, they are definitely worth it.
However, you should know that planar magnetic headphones are much more expensive than regular headphones.
Even the cheapest planar magnetic headphones cost over $100, but you can find good regular headphones for under $100.
There is virtually no upper limit. Some great planar headphones cost over $2,000 or even $5,000.