How a Planar Magnetic Diaphragm Headphone Driver Works
In the past, dynamic drivers used a voice coil that was attached to the center of the dialephragm, which is conical. When an electrical signal is passed through the voice coil it causes the diaphragm to move.
The force is only applied to a small portion of the diaphragm, and it's difficult to move several points at the same time. This can result in distortions due to breakup modes.
Audio with a Detailed Sound
Many audiophiles would like to hear a detailed sound through their headphones. This can be achieved through a planar diaphragm. This type of headphone driver functions in a similar way to cone drivers with dynamic characteristics however, with more modern technology behind it.
A planar diaphragm is a flat piece of material embedded in the headphone's frame and made of a thin, light material. It's designed to be as uniform and flat as possible. This enables an even distribution of pressure across the entire surface.
A planar magnetic diaphragm's flat design allows for a better soundstage. A more precise wavefront can result in better sound staging, which can help you identify the exact location of an vocal or instrument on the track. This is a major benefit over the more spherical waves typical of dynamic drivers.
A planar diaphragm is distinct from traditional dynamic drivers which employ a voice-coil that is anchored to the cone's center composed of plastic or paper. Instead, it uses a series of magnets on each side of its flat surface. The electric current that flows through the voice coil interacts with the magnets, causing the diaphragm and produce sound. Because the entire diaphragm can be driven at the same time, there are no breakup modes, mechanical filtering transmission delay or local resonances that can adversely affect sound quality.
A flat and uniform diaphragm can also be accelerated faster than the thicker and heavier ones used in dynamic drivers. Physics' laws of physics say that force is proportional to acceleration and mass, which means the faster a diaphragm is able to move and the greater force it exerts. This results in planar magnetic drivers a more precise bass response and greater 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, weigh more and require a higher-powered amplifier to function properly. Nevertheless, many manufacturers of planar magnetic headphones can make use of their technology to produce premium headphones that are priced competitively. Audeze LCD-4, HiFiMAN Susvara are a few examples.
High Sensitivity
Planar drivers differ from the moving coil drivers found in many headphones or IEMs in that they utilize a flat membrane instead of the traditional dome or cone shaped membrane. When an electrical signal is passed through, it interacts with the magnets on both sides of the diaphragm. It produces sound waves by vibrating the diaphragm. The flatness of the diaphragm allows it to respond quickly to sound and can produce an array of frequencies, from lows to highs.
A key benefit of the planar magnetic design is that it's more sensitive than other types of headphone driver, which may utilize a diaphragm that can be several times larger than a typical headphone. This creates an incredible amount of clarity and dynamic range which allows you to appreciate every tiniest detail that music can provide.
Planar magnetic drivers also provide a very consistent driving force across the diaphragm. This eliminates breakup, and creates an undistorted, smooth sound. This is particularly important for high-frequency sound, where breakup can be audible and distracting. This is achieved in FT5 by utilizing the polyimide material, which is both ultralight and extremely durable, and also a sophisticated design of conductors that eliminates distortion in intermodulation caused by inductance.
OPPO's planar magnetic drivers also have a higher degree of phase coherence, meaning that when a wavefront hits our ear canal, it's an unaltered and flat shape. Dynamic drivers have a spherical-shaped wavefront, which disrupts the coherence of the signal and causes less-than-perfect reconstructions of peak signals, especially at higher frequencies. This is another reason that OPPO's headphones sound so realistic and natural, as well as extremely precise.
Wide Frequency Response
Planar magnetic diaphragms are able to reproduce sounds at higher frequencies than traditional dynamic drivers. This is because their diaphragms are thin and light. is very precise in its movement. They can deliver an excellent transient response. This makes them a great choice for audiophiles looking for speakers and headphones that reproduce the most precise details of music.
This flat design provides a more even soundstage than headphones that utilize a dynamic driver coiled. Additionally they are less susceptible to leakage which is the sound that escapes the headphone cups and enters the environment around you. In certain situations, this could be a problem, as it can distract the listener and cause them lose focus when listening to music. In other situations however, it can be beneficial since it lets listeners enjoy music in public areas without having to worry about disturbing others near by.
Instead of using a coil that is placed behind a cone-shaped diaphragm, planar headphones are made up of conductors arranged on the extremely thin diaphragm. This conductor is then suspended in between two magnets, and when an electrical signal is applied to the array, it transforms into electromagnetic and causes the magnetic forces on the opposite side of the diaphragm to interact with each one. This is what makes the diaphragm vibrate and create an audio wave.
The low distortion is due to the uniform motion of the lightweight, thin diaphragm and the fact that force is evenly distributed across its surface. This is an improvement over traditional dynamic drivers that are known for causing distortion at high levels of listening.
Some premium headphones still employ the old-fashioned moving coil design, however most HiFi audiophiles are using a technology that was long forgotten and a new generation of incredible sounding planar magnetic headphones. Some of these models are extremely expensive and require a premium amplifier to run them however, for those with the money they offer an amazing experience that is unlike any other headphone. They provide a rich and detailed sound without the distortion that comes with other kinds of headphones.
Minimal Inertia
Because of their construction the diaphragms of planar diaphragms move faster and are lighter than conventional drivers. They are able to reproduce audio signals with greater precision and can be tuned to a larger range. They also provide an authentic sound with less distortion than traditional loudspeakers.
The two rows of a planar magnet driver create equal and uniform magnetic force across the diaphragm's surface. This removes any unwanted and unnecessary distortion. Because the force applied to the diaphragm's light weight is distributed evenly, it can be controlled more precisely. This allows the diaphragm vibrate with a precise pistonic movement.
They also have the capability of achieving extremely high levels in performance with very little weight. This makes them ideal for headphones that can be carried around. In addition, they can be made to provide an array of frequencies, from deep bass to high-frequency sounds. Audio professionals love them due to their large frequency response and clear sound.
Planar magnetic drivers are different from dynamic drivers which use coils to push the diaphragm. planar magnetic loudspeakers do not have any mechanical components that could cause distortion. This is due to the fact that the flat array sits on top of the diaphragm, rather than in the form of a coil that is behind.
A planar magnetic driver, in contrast, can drive a small and light diaphragm by applying a tremendous magnetic force, without energy loss. This means that the diaphragm can be driven with an even pressure, preventing it from deforming and causing distortion.
The moment of inertia describes the resistance to the rotation of an object. The formula I = mr2 may be used to determine it. The shape of an object influences its moment of inertia minimum. Thicker and longer objects have lower moments of inertia.