Planar Vs Dynamic Headphones
If you're looking to purchase headphones that offer the widest range of sound profiles dynamic drivers are the way to go. These headphones utilize a voice coil and magnetic windings that move backwards and forwards to cause the diaphragm of the speaker to vibrate.
This produces a spherical front of sound that more precisely represents audio. However, this can cause distortion at higher volumes.
Cost
Dynamic drivers are easy and cheap to make. They are composed of a coil (the voice coil) wrapped around a diaphragm made of plastic and set into an electric field. They vibrate in response the electric signals coming from your audio source. This means they require less power to drive them than electrostatic or planar headphones. In turn, this means they're more portable and easier to use while on the move. However, planar magnetic headphones are more complicated motor systems and massive diaphragms that require larger or even multiple - magnets to move. They can be more expensive and heavier than dynamic headphones. They also consume more power to run, which is the reason the majority of headphones that use planar technology require an external amplifier to get the optimal results.
Bass Response
The main difference between dynamic and planar headphones is bass response. Planar drivers provide greater linearity, more deep bass extension and lower distortion when compared to dynamic headphones. They also provide more precise image and clarity. They may not have the same power and slam as the dynamic headphones. This has led to hybrid IEMs that utilize both types of drivers. These IEMs are able to satisfy a variety of listening preferences and offer the best of both worlds.
Dynamic drivers are used in headphones to transmit sound vibrations through a coil of wire suspended by a membrane. The magnetic field of the coil creates a vibrating diaphragm, which produces the sounds that we hear. However this can cause distortion in the lower frequency range, because the movement of the diaphragm is not accurate or consistent. This is why it is crucial to think about your own listening preferences and listening environment before deciding what kind of headphone is best for you.
With the emergence of planar magnetic headphones, distortion has been greatly reduced since the vibrations are more uniform and the diaphragm itself does not move as much. In addition, the flat design of the diaphragm allows it to react more quickly to changes in the input signal. This is particularly true for high-frequency frequencies where planar magnetic headsets produce a sound that is more precise and clear.
Dynamic headphones are older than planar magnetic ones and have been the benchmark in terms of bass response. Historically, dynamic driver headphones had flat frequency responses all the way down to 20Hz, while planar magnetic headphones had a greater 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 instance, it is a premium planar that has an impressive sense of bass and impact. Its bass is nimble and tight, with an excellent sub-bass slam. Its ability deliver a powerful bass with a powerful sense of sound and awe makes it a perfect choice for orchestral pieces like the opening fanfare of Richard Strauss's opera, Aleksandr Solti's "Alsosprach Zarathustra. planar magnetic headphones audeze -7 also stands out for its imaging capabilities.
Soundstage
Typically, planar headphones have better soundstage. The diaphragm has more volume and is able to move more evenly, which can result in an extended, flat soundwave which improves clarity and image. This is most noticeable on headphones with high-end features, such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. However it is also true for cheaper alternatives.
Planar magnetic headphones, as opposed to dynamic drivers, which only vibrate a part of the diaphragm attached to the voice coil whenever an electrical signal is applied, have a greater surface area that can be moved. This results in lower distortion even at high volume. They also have better transient response, which means they can handle rapid changes in the input signal.
It is important to keep in mind that planar headphones may still have a smaller soundstage if they're not properly driven. The absence of a headphone amp's power can result in a an unnatural bass or the "shimmer" effect, which can make listening to music less enjoyable.
Another factor to consider is that headphones with dynamic drivers tend to have a more natural sound than the planar ones due to the fact that they reproduce the frequency response and timbre of original audio recording better. The dynamics of the driver are also more natural and realistic than the 'plucked' quality of headphones that are planar. However, this can be compensated for with an effective headphone amplifier and some modern headphones have better punch than their older counterparts, such as the Oppo PM-3 or HiFiMAN HE-1000SE. This is due to the fact that the drivers are more advanced and can be controlled by higher-level headphone amplifiers.
Comfort
Planar magnetic headphones have been gaining popularity in recent years, and it's no surprise since they offer an improved sound quality. The downside is that they're generally heavier and more expensive than dynamic headphones. This is because they have a larger driver and require more power to uniformly move them. That's why they need balanced outputs, which are common on DAPs and dongles. Also, they tend to have more sound leakage than dynamic drivers.