Top planar headphone Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones offer an extensive and rich listening experience. They're popular with audiophiles who want to improve their listening experience.

The best headphones with planar magnetics depends on what you want the most when it comes to the headphone. It all comes down to clarity of the image and distinction as well as clarity in comparison to bass impact.

1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic

The original LCD-2 was the first planar driver magnetic headphones to really take off. It is so popular that it has become synonymous with technology. It's still among the top headphones of its kind. Its sound quality is amazing, especially for a headset that is priced at more than $1,000. The bass is so deep that it goes beyond the human hearing range, and it has a staggering amount of detail. The upper mids are warm, but not obnoxious. Overall the sound is clear and precise and has very little distortion.

They are extremely comfortable to wear, and also. The headband and earpads have an incredibly soft and flexible feel. They are light enough to wear for long listening sessions without becoming tired. They don't completely seal the ear canals like other open-back headphones, which means you can hear what is going on around you. This isn't a problem for quiet areas, but it could be an issue in louder areas.

As far as build quality goes In terms of build quality, the LCD-2 Classics are very solid and made to last. The earcups are constructed of crystal-infused nylon, which is a great material for headphones. It looks durable and is much lighter than wood rings used on other Audeze models.

The LCD-2 Classics do not feel as luxurious as other high-end headphones. They have a bit of an "artisanal" feel with all the screws visible and a lack of finish on the metal parts. They are still a fantastic pair of headphones, however they may not be suitable for everyone.

If you're seeking a similar headphone that is less expensive and less expensive, the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent option. They feature the same great technology of the LCD-2 Classics, but they are priced at a lower price. They also have an improved seal on the earcups and come with a carry case. The only thing that's missing is the amazing bass extension and clarity that the LCD-2 Classics have, but they still offer an incredible sound that should satisfy most audiophiles.

2. Meze LIRIC

Meze Audio has made a name for itself through its innovative and affordable line of magnetic headphones that planar. The company's newest headphone, the LIRIC 2nd Generation, builds on the first-generation model's success with improved performance and a new striped ebony finish that offers improved modularity and a long-lasting life.

The LIRIC features a full-frequency range that goes from 4Hz to 92kHz, providing stunningly detailed music with outstanding clarity and a large soundstage. The QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Ressonator Mask) of the headphone is effective in reducing high-frequency peaks that can be a strain on the ear.

The headphones are designed to block out noise from the surrounding environment and provide high-quality listening while on the move. The headphones have an ovoid design that mimics the shape of the human ear to provide a direct connection to the sound source.

The Meze LIRIC includes the company's own proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver that has dual shaped voice coils to improve the ambience and spatial sound imaging. Dual voicing is the result of more than 30 years of research and development, making it one of the tiniest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers available on the market.

The LIRIC headphones come with a pressure equalization technology that controls the pressure and airflow in the earcup chambers to improve sound quality. This ensures that the listener gets the same sound quality regardless of whether the headphones are used at work on a plane, in a hotel or traveling to work.

The Meze LIRIC has an incredibly smooth and balanced sound that I found very enjoyable to listen to over long periods. The bass is punchy and deep, with a crisp treble. The soundstage is incredibly expansive with a clear separation between instruments and vocals. I was impressed by the fact that no detail was too small for the headphones to miss, from the sound of PJ Harvey's 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.

If you're searching for the best $2000 closed-back planar magnetic headphones, the Meze LIRIC is a great option. It's a good alternative to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but has a slightly different sound and is lighter overall.

3. Meze Elite

Meze Audio, a Romanian manufacturer, has been working to up their game in recent years, releasing a number flagship products. The Elite new model, Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones which is their most recent offering, is their most premium headphone yet, and an excellent replacement for the Empyrean as Meze's flagship.

Like the Empyrean model, the Elite is an open-back headphone that has a unique suspension wings design to increase their wearability. These wings are similar to the design of Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones, in that they spread the weight of the Elite's more powerful than average driver over a greater area of your head to increase the comfort when listening for long periods. They are effective and I've worn the Elite for long periods of time without discomfort.

Sonically the Elite is a reference-style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver that has the ability to deliver exceptionally low harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 percent across its entire frequency range. It has an excellent frequency sensitivity of 101 dB/mW and an impedance of 32 ohms. This means it can be driven by low-cost headphone amplifiers or DAPs as long as they are compatible with the standard jack.

The Elite's diaphragm has been a significant improvement over the Empyrean, moving away from the polymer that was developed by a custom-made company to utilize a low-mass semi-crystalline film that has been engineered by biaxial lengthening that is sequential. This technique creates an Elite diaphragm that is both rigid and thin, while providing outstanding resistance to fatigue and stress cracking.

The switch to a lower mass diaphragm also results in improved speed and resolution, bringing the Elite to an level of performance that puts it against rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a lower price. The Elite is also more clear and neutral than the LCD-2 but still offers the feeling of clarity, depth air, and transients.

4. Meze HE400SE

The HE400SE planar magnetic headphones are among the most well-known available. It's an excellent choice for any audiophile looking to transition into open back headphones and also an excellent entry-level headphone for those who are already familiar with planar magnetic technology. It is equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet Design, which reduces distortion and wave diffraction down to inaudible levels.

While the HE400SE doesn't have the bass extension that some other HiFiMAN models do, it still delivers solid low end performance for an open-back headphone. The HE400SE has a very rich and deep bass however it doesn't sound loud. The overall tonality is neutral, but there's some elevated treble and forward midrange which many listeners will find pleasing.

The HE400SE is a great sounding model with a clear sound. The HE400SE makes a great choice for listening to classical or acoustic music. It's the most affordable headphone for listening to this type of music. However, if you're used to closed-back headphones which have a more bass-emphasized tuning the transition may be a bit uncomfortable. It takes some time to get the hang of it.

The HE400SE also has an impressive image. The HE400SE can produce a large, detailed soundstage that allows the musicians to feel well-positioned in the space. The drums and vocals are prominent in Prince's Let's Go Crazy. The guitar solo is very prominent and can be easily heard over other instruments.

The HE400SE has a good extension of the treble and clarity. The treble can be a bit warm but not abrasive at all. It's not as bright as some other open-back headphones with brighter treble, but it doesn't sound as sibilant or tired either.

The HE400SE has an impedance of 25 O which means that it will require a powerful amplifier to achieve its maximum SPL. It can be used with the majority of smartphones and portable players but will require an amp that has at minimum 0.5 W output power to reach its maximum SPL of 102 dB.