Planar magnetic headphones are types of headphones that use electromagnetic principles to transfer audio signals in the form of electrical energy into the mechanical wave energy that is contained in sound waves. Their planar drivers are made using electrical wires that are very thin and are inserted on a diaphragm that vibrates between two magnetic arrays. They are very high-end and advanced headphones that every music lovers and producers want in their ear. Therefore, today we have compiled an extensive list of the best high-resolution planar magnetic headphones for you.
Table of Contents
List of the 13 Best Planar Magnetic Headphones in 2023
13. As of the year 2023, the AUDEZE LCD-5 is the best-sounding planar headphones available
According to many experts, the LCD-5 represents the apex of Planar Magnetic technology. One that will be coveted by many audiophiles but owned by only a select few.
The LCD-5 is a high-end pair of headphones that looks and feels like a work of art thanks to its combination of wood, metal, carbon fiber, and leather. All the trimmings, from the package to the craftsmanship, scream “luxury” We like that Audeze has maintained faithful to their design roots despite experimenting with new materials; this product unmistakably displays the signature Audeze style.
The LCD-5 incorporates state-of-the-art features, making it a pair of headphones worth trying out even if you can’t afford to buy them (they retail for around $5000 in the United States).
My stomach dropped to the floor about once every several seconds when I was testing the LCD-5. The compelling and engrossing sound will make you want to play every song in your collection. Every song was a delight to listen to, and I couldn’t find a genre that didn’t mesh well with the others. They may be pricey, but if you’re searching for truly premium headphones, these could be it. They have a large, natural soundstage and great detail.
12. For the second place, we have the HIFIMAN HE-1000SE, which are high-end planar headphones.
Hifiman’s entry onto this list is made possible by the inclusion of their flagship HE1000SE speaker. As we were reviewing it, we were struck by how far the company had come in only a few short years. Hifiman is one of the pioneering audiophile brands, having spent decades honing their craft.
Excellent clarity and definition can be found in the HE-1000SE’s midrange, and the bass is unexpectedly powerful and well-defined. The fact that it doesn’t have that “reference sound” makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to. It’s the sort of thing that calls for relaxing in a leather chair with a glass of whisky. Incredible as the soundstage is, what really sets this company apart is the level of transparency and detail retrieval that their newly developed driver is capable of producing.
Of course, Hifiman has a history of producing high-quality audiophile headphones at reasonable prices; the HE1000SE are not an exception to this rule. However, in response to the competition posed by Audeze’s recent innovations, Hifiman has made significant improvements to its own high-resolution headphones this year.
11. Thirdly, AUDEZE CLOSED-BACK LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones
The gorgeous LCD-2 open-back headphones from Audeze are the company’s second appearance on this top 10 list.
The LCD-X departs from the classic LCD series’ specialized aesthetic in order to refresh the company and keep it relevant in a dynamic marketplace.
The LCD-X headphones have excellent sound quality and are versatile due to their noise canceling capabilities. Positioned as the company’s mid-priced option, it will compete directly with Ananda this year. The use of metal and wood for the construction is very tasteful, and I couldn’t help but notice how soft the earpads and headband are.
Everything from the deepest lows to the brightest highs is conveyed with great precision and clarity. It’s a lot of pleasure to listen to modern pop and electronic music since it sounds livelier than a neutral reference headset while yet retaining all of the emotion and depth of the original performance.
10. The Monolith M1070 Planar Magnetic Headphones are a Fantastic Budget Option
Many audiophiles on a tighter budget who are put off by the hundreds of dollars required to purchase high-end planar magnetic headphones have embraced the Monolith model. There has never been much of a drop in quality for the price at Monoprice.
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that won’t break the bank, go no further; we regularly recommend these over models from Hifiman and Thieaudio.
The M1070’s metal headbands, sleek stealth design, and fantastically comfy pads give it a remarkable build quality that surpasses many headphones costing over $1000. Aesthetically, it fits the bill just as well as sonically.
A huge 106mm planar driver is used to provide a sound that is both spacious and textured, elevating your listening experience to new heights. If you’ve never experienced planar headphones before, this is going to blow your mind.
One of the greatest values on the market today, these headphones also come with detachable cords and a wealth of availability and aftermarket support.
9. BEST PLANAR MAGNETIC EARBUDS AT 7HZ
The Timeless 7hz earbuds are the best mid-priced portable headphones I’ve ever used.
In both 2019 and 2023, the Tin Hifi P1 earphone was chosen as our favorite. There had never been a better implementation of a planar magnetic earphone. We’re shaking things up this year, and the best option is the brand-new 7Hz Timeless.
It was long considered that incorporating planar technology into an in-ear housing was an impossibility, but the progress that has been made in this area over the past several years is quite remarkable. They deliver an unrivaled level of fineness and detail retrieval for the price, making them a great choice for thrifty audiophiles.
Incredible clarity and detail retrieval, on par with IEMs costing several times as much, and a rich, three-dimensional soundscape that made listening sessions a pleasure.
Despite being power-hungry and needing a solid source and high-quality lossless files to shine, they remain, to this day, unrivaled in terms of affordability.
8. HIFIMAN ANANDA Planar Magnetic Headphone
When it came to making the Edition Ananda headphones, Hifiman really hammered it out of the park. Because of its modern design and enjoyable sound, this pair of headphones has become a huge hit this year.
You’ll find many of the same technologies found in their more expensive models in this one of their entry/mid-tier headphones.
The soundstage is enormous and nearly speaker-like, and the level of detail recovery is ludicrous. Not a single musical style was beyond Ananda’s mastery, and whatever she touched sounded polished and under control.
The layout is also a positive aspect. The Ananda is beautiful, making up for the fact that previous Hifiman headphones appeared quite drab and boxy. The best-looking headphones now available, in my opinion, feature sleek, sophisticated design, as well as premium construction.
7. SIGVA P-II Planar Magnetic Headphones: HOW FAR WE’VE COME!
The SIgva P-ii is the second factor in my decision to stop advising readers to purchase inexpensive Hifiman or Audeze models.
The P-II has a suggested retail price of less than $400 and destroys a lot of the competitors at higher costs because to its innovative design, futuristic sound, and astute craftsmanship.
They use a 97mm driver to create some of the best sounds we’ve heard for the price, with tones that are both natural and engaging. These headphones are for those who prefer to kick back and take in the full musical experience without having to constantly adjust the volume.
6. THE FOSTEX T50RP, THE ULTIMATE MODDING HEADPHONES FOR AUDIOPHILE DEVICES
The Fostex RP series of headphones is just what the doctor ordered if you want the best bang for the buck planar headset and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and doing a little of work.
You should experiment with the 40, 50, RP, and 60 to get the sound you desire, and doing so is a lot of fun.
You can transform these headphones into monster-killing machines with the help of other modders in the Head-fi forums and some videos on YouTube.
Sound and comfort modifications are just the beginning of what seems like an endless list of possibilities.
The advantage of modifying a set of Fostex is that the tuning may be adjusted to suit individual taste.
5. HIFIMAN HE400SE – BEST CHEAP PLANAR HEADPHONE FOR BUDGET AUDIOPHILES
When Hifiman released the highly rated HE400SE planars, it completely rocked the world of the greatest affordable audiophile headphones. Even though its MSRP was much under $200, these headphones outperformed those that cost twice as much in terms of sound quality.
They were able to keep the price low by employing a straightforward design, and the premium feel of the headphones was achieved by the use of high-quality materials.
Of course, the sound is rich in detail, but its melody and tempo are what really stand out. The bass, meantime, has a good impact in the sub response and is executed quickly enough to add texture. The headphones are easy to listen to right out of the box because the mids and highs are well-balanced.
4. AEON 2: DAN CLARK AUDIO 10 Planar Magnetic Headphones
Dan Clark is an established expert on headphones, and his company, Dan Clark Audio, began as a hobbyist who tweaked and modified headphones from other companies before starting his own. He is widely regarded as one of the industry’s finest headphone manufacturers, and his latest model, the Aeon 2, offers exceptional performance at a reasonable price.
Even while Dan Clark sells several extremely pricey headphones, none can compare to the quality of these closed-back models. The carbon closed cups and angular shapes provide for a stunning design that sets them apart from the competition. Not only are these headphones stylish, but their surprising light weight and high level of comfort make them ideal for long listening sessions.
The sound was more reference-grade and linear in its tuning than I had anticipated, but it was thinner overall. The high standard is immediately apparent, and every last detail has been meticulously attended to. We also enjoyed its responsiveness when used with tube amplifiers. Because of this pairing, the presentation came through more naturally.
3. HIFIMAN ARYA Planar Magnetic Headphones
Hifiman is still one of the leading open-back headphone industry inventors. The Arya are state-of-the-art, high-end audiophile headphones.
To produce a more engrossing listening environment Hifiman developed the stealth magnet, which reduces interference with the diaphragm’s sound waves. Also unique is the diaphragm, which makes use of the same nanometer-thick film found in the company’s top-tier headphones. The resulting sound has exceptional clarity and nuance.
The fashionable design and cozy interior are also major selling points. One of the best-looking pairs of headphones we’ve tested so far this year; their unique use of materials also makes them lightweight and breathable.
2. DAN CLARK’S AUDIO STEALTH Magnetic Headphones
The Dan Clark Stealth is another ridiculously pricey pair of headphones. This closed-back planar has the closest sound to an open-back design in this size and price range that we have ever heard.
They’re eye-catching since they’re made using cutting-edge technology and use futuristic design language. Despite their angular design, these headphones are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day thanks to the use of memory foam and soft leather on the earcups and a headband made of carbon fiber.
The largest and most cutting-edge planar magnetic driver Dan has ever made, as well as an acoustic tuning metamaterial, are included within. The sound quality is superb, with silky highs and deep lows. Both male and female vocalists sound fantastic, and the soundstage is really spacious.
1. Himan sasvarna Planar Magnetic Headphones
Oddly, while having a retail price of $6000, the Susvara is not Hifiman’s priciest headphones. The Shangri-La aural paradise system, which can be had for roughly fifty grand right now, takes the cake.
Even if the Susvara is a work of art and produces fantastic sound, I believe that some of the alternatives on the list sound just as good for less money, and that’s why it can be called the practical flagship option that people with deep wallets will be interested in.
EXPERT ADVICE FOR PURCHASERS
The advantages of planar magnetic headphones are generally known among audiophiles but are less well understood among the general public. Between electrostatic headphones (like the Bose Quiet Comfort 35) and dynamic driver headphones (like the Sennheiser HD800), planar headphones can be found (e.g., Kingsound KS-H1, Stax, etc.).
A narrow, very mobile diaphragm is placed between two powerful magnets. In other words, you won’t be as constrained as you would be with more conventional dynamic driver headphones. Planar headphones, like any other technological innovation, offer both benefits and drawbacks; you should weigh them carefully before deciding which type of headphones is ideal for you.
Everyone has varied priorities when it comes to things like cost, preferred tuning, and potential applications. We can’t pick a single winner, but the thrilling possibilities are all laid out for you here. Feel free to send us a message in the comments area if you’d like additional in-depth observations on specific configurations or our reviews of headphones that weren’t featured this year. We have no qualms about giving our opinions on a wide variety of headphones in our reviews. Let’s keep things as easy as possible for now.
You’ve obviously done your research and come prepared to make a purchase, as you’re here. Since the use of this technology has grown so rapidly in recent years, consumers have an abundance of options to choose from. Because of the soaring popularity of Planars, numerous manufacturers have released excellent new models suitable for every price.