How a Planar Magnetic Diaphragm Headphone Driver Works
In the past, dynamic drivers used an attached voice coil at the center of a conical dialephragm. When an electrical signal is passed through the voice coil, it causes the diaphragm to move.
However, the force that is exerted is limited to a small area, making it difficult for different points on the diaphragm to move at the same time. This can lead to breakup patterns which can cause distortion.
Audio with a Detailed Sound
Many audiophiles are looking to get an authentic sound from their headphones. A good way to achieve this is through a planar magnetic diaphragm. This type of headphone works similarly to cone drivers that are dynamic, but with a much more modern technology.
A planar diaphragm is an elongated structure that is embedded within the headphone's frame and made of a thin, light material. It is designed to be as flat and uniform as is possible. This enables an even distribution of pressure across the entire surface.
A planar magnetic diaphragm's flat design provides a greater soundstage. A more focused soundstage is created by a more precise wavefront. This can help you determine the location of an instrument or vocal is located on the track. This is a major benefit over the more spherical waves that are typical of dynamic drivers.
A planar diaphragm differs from the traditional dynamic drivers that utilize a voice coil that is attached to the cone's center composed of plastic or paper. Instead, it uses series magnets that are placed on either side of its flat surface. The diaphragm is vibrating and emits sound when the current that passes through the voice coil interacts with the magnets. The entire diaphragm is driven at the same time. This removes breakup modes mechanical filters, transmission delays, and local resonances, which can have a negative impact on sound quality.
A diaphragm that is smooth and uniform can also accelerate faster than a thicker, heavier one used in dynamic drivers. The laws of physics state that force is proportional to acceleration and mass, so the faster a diaphragm can move and the greater force it exerts. This results in planar magnetic drivers a more accurate bass response and superior detail retrieval.
The advantages of a planar magnetic driver are not without cost. Because they have a complicated motor system and a large diaphragms, they generally cost more than dynamic drivers, are bulkier and require a more powerful amplifier to perform effectively. Many manufacturers of planar magnetic headphones are able to take advantage of their technology and design premium headphones at competitive prices. Audeze LCD-4, HiFiMAN Susvara are a few examples.
High Sensitivity
The planar driver differs from moving coil drivers, used in most headphones and IEMs in that it uses a flat diaphragm, instead of a dome-shaped or cone-shaped membrane. As an electrical signal passes it, it interacts with the magnets as well as the diaphragm, generating sound waves. The flat nature of the diaphragm enables it to react quickly to sound and is capable of generating a wide range of frequencies, from lows to highs.
Planar magnetic headphones are more sensitive than other headphone drivers, which can make use of diaphragms multiple times larger than the typical planar design. This gives you an amazing amount of dynamic range and clarity that allows you to hear every detail your music has to offer.
Planar magnetic drivers also provide an extremely constant driving force throughout the diaphragm. This eliminates breakup, and creates a smooth, distortion-free sound. This is particularly important for high frequencies where the sound's breakups can be quite loud and distracting. In the FT5, this is achieved through the use of a sophisticated material called polyimide. magnetic planar is extremely light and robust, as well as a sophisticated conductor pattern that blocks inductance related intermodulation distortion.
OPPO's planar magnetic drivers offer a superior phase coherence. This means that when a sound wavefront hits our ear, it's flat and unaltered. Dynamic drivers have a spherical-shaped wavefront, which disrupts the coherence of the signal, which results in less-than-perfect reconstructions of the highest frequencies, particularly when they are playing at high frequencies. OPPO headphones sound incredibly natural and authentic.
Wide Frequency Response
A planar magnetic diaphragm is able to reproduce sounds with much greater frequency than conventional dynamic drivers due to their diaphragms are thin and lightweight. moves in a very controlled way. This allows them to offer excellent transient response, which makes them an exceptional choice for audiophiles that require rapid response from their speakers and headphones to reproduce the finest details in music.
The flat structure also allows them to have an even soundstage than regular headphones that use dynamic drivers that are coiled. They are also less susceptible to leakage, which is the sound that leaks out of the headphones and into the environment. In some instances, this is a problem because it can distract listeners and affect their focus when listening to music. In other cases, it can be beneficial since it lets listeners enjoy their music in public spaces without worrying about disturbing people close by.
Instead of using a coil behind a diaphragm that is shaped like cones the planar magnetic headsets feature an array printed on a thin layer of the diaphragm itself. This conductor is then suspended between two magnets, and when an electrical signal is applied to this array, it turns into electromagnetic, causing the magnetic forces on either side of the diaphragms to interact with each other. This is what causes the diaphragm to vibrate, creating the sound wave.
The low distortion is due to the consistent movement of the thin, lightweight diaphragm and the fact that the force is evenly dispersed across its surface. This is an enormous improvement over traditional dynamic drivers which are known for producing distortion at high levels of listening.
Some premium headphones still employ the old-fashioned moving coil design, but the majority of HiFi audio enthusiasts are now using a technology that was long forgotten and the latest generation of fantastic sounding planar magnetic headphones. Certain models require a high-end amp to drive them. But for those who can afford it, they provide an experience that is unlike any other headphone. They provide a rich and clear sound without the distortion that is common with other kinds of headphones.
Minimal Inertia
Due to their construction they can move faster and are lighter than conventional drivers. They are able to reproduce audio signals with greater accuracy and can be tuned to a greater range. They also give natural sound with less distortion than traditional loudspeakers.
The two rows of magnets in a planar magnetic driver create equal and uniform magnetic forces across the entire diaphragm's surface. This prevents unwanted and unnecessary distortion. The lightweight diaphragm can be controlled better because the force is evenly dispersed. This permits the diaphragm to vibrate in a perfectly pistonic motion, leading to an accurate and smooth music reproduction.
They also have the capability of achieving high levels of performance with the smallest weight. This makes them perfect for portable headphone. They can also be designed to offer an array of frequencies, from deep bass to high-frequency sounds. Audio professionals love them for their broad frequency response and accurate sound.
Contrary to dynamic drivers that make use of coils to push against the diaphragm and vice versa, planar magnetic drivers have no mechanical parts that can come into contact with each with each other, causing distortion. This is due to the fact that the conductors' flat surface rests directly on the diaphragm instead of being enclosed in a coil behind.
In contrast the slim and light diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver may be driven by an extremely powerful magnetic field with no loss of energy. The diaphragm, a thin, lightweight membrane is driven by a magnetic field that exerts a constant pressure. This stops it from deforming or creating distortion.
The moment of inertia is the resistance to the rotation of an object. The formula I = mr2 may be used to calculate it. The shape of an object affects its moment of inertia minimum. Thicker and longer objects have lower moments of inertia.