They produce sound waves by vibrating a diaphragm, which is suspended between two magnets. Planar magnetic speakers are renowned for their stunning clarity and holographic 3D images.
They are also suitable for a broad range of audio applications because of their low distortion, broad horizontal and vertical dispersion and affordable costs.
Superior Sound Quality
When it comes to high-performance audio, planar magnetic speakers are famous for their ability to produce clear, precise sound with low distortion. They accomplish this by using a flat diaphragm with an electrically conductive pattern. This is a reaction to the magnetic field produced by magnets on one side or both sides of the speaker. This causes the diaphragm to move, producing sounds waves that are transmitted via the dipole or monopole pattern. This allows the diaphragm to move more evenly and produce better sound quality than a typical dome or cone driver.
Another benefit of planar magnetic drivers is their broad dispersion that is uniform which lets the sound be heard from any location in the room. Additionally dipole or planar ribbon speakers offer a natural and spacious soundstage that has very little resonance. This creates a unique listening experience that is hard to duplicate with other speakers.
Because they cover a large surface area, planar magnetic speakers are also more durable than cone drivers, and can be operated at higher volume levels without causing excessive vibrations or distortion. They are also quieter than other kinds of speakers, making them an ideal choice for home theatre and HiFi applications.
Planar speakers are more expensive due to their complex design. However, they offer superior sound quality and are worth the investment. Planar speakers also have a lower impedance when compared to other kinds of loudspeakers. This makes them more suitable to drive amplifiers.
Although these advantages make planar magnetic speakers an an excellent option for both professional and home applications however, they are not as popular in IEMs because they require more sophisticated engineering to be integrated into smaller forms like headphones and earbuds. Recently, however, there is a surge in the availability IEMs with planar magnetic technology. These include the Rinko by Seeaudio, and the S12 and Z12 by LETSHOUER, which have proved to provide an exceptional listening experience.
Lower Distortion
For many audiophiles the most desired characteristic of a speaker or headphone is low distortion. Distortion is created in the speaker due to many factors, but perhaps the most prevalent cause of distortion is the voice coil inductance. When an alternating current is fed through a typical moving coil driver's voice coil, the inductance of the voice coil creates magnetic fields that cause diaphragm movement. The movement or the excursion is what causes the sound wave, however it also causes unwanted resonances and harmonics that diminish the audio quality.
One of the major advantages of magnetic planar speakers is that they have much lower distortion than traditional dynamic drivers. This is because the "voice coil" has more surface area, rather than being squeezed into a tiny space inside a huge piece of metal. In the end, a well-designed planar magnetic speaker can handle far more power than the traditional dynamic driver, without causing any audible strain.
Planar magnetic speakers also reduce distortion by providing a nearly perfect resistive load to an amplifier in the system. This is because the voice coil is a very long, thin wire that behaves just like a simple resistor. This makes it easy for the amplifier to drive and it will always sound its best when driving an asymmetrical magnetic speaker.
The high efficiency of these speakers is that they generate less heat even when playing high-pitched music. This is important, as much heat can harm the voice coil and decrease its lifespan.
However, this isn't to say that all single-ended magnetic speakers are without distortion. Due to their close magnet spacing, magnetic forces can interact with one the other and draw one another to a significant extent, causing changes in the diaphragm's pressure over time. This issue is made more difficult due to the proximity of adjacent rows of magnets.
Better Heat Dissipation
Many specialist HiFi audio headphone companies have been developing amazing masterpieces in the past few years using planar magnetic technology. While many consider the standard dynamic driver that the majority of headphones and speakers use to be superior, there are remarkable advantages to using a planar magnetic design.
The "voice coil" can disperse heat more effectively than a cone speaker because it is spread over more of a surface. This allows the voice coil to perform more smoothly and with less distortion, and permits a diaphragm that is light and can be driven at extremely high levels of excursion.
This enables the planar magnet speaker to have an extremely quick transient response. Sharp peaks and tiny details can be reproduced with great accuracy, even at high SPLs. The sound that is produced is very clean without distortion and is identical to the original source material.
The impedance curve of a planar magnetic speaker is extremely flat and ranges from 4.2 ohms for the bass to 3.3 in the treble. This makes it a simple load to drive for amplifiers, and is similar to the resistive loads that electronics manufacturers to show their products' superiority.
Another benefit is that the ribbon/planar diaphragm is extremely light, which allows it to move quickly and without strain. This produces a very clear and crisp sound with a wide range of frequency and excellent linearity.
The ribbon/planar is also extremely quiet, which helps reduce distortion. Finally, planar magnetic headphone is very stable over a wide range of temperatures, which enables the speaker to maintain a an even sound quality over long periods of time and across an extensive listening area.
While there are numerous benefits for using a ribbon/planar speaker It is essential to remember that this type of speaker is not appropriate for all types of listeners or applications. For instance, a ribbon/planar speaker with a large radiating panel will need an enormous space to produce full-range sound of sufficient SPL. This is why the majority of such speakers are sold as tweeters or as the upper mid/high range component of a two-way system.
Higher Power Handling
Magnetic planar drivers can provide amazing clarity and detail without the distortion that is common to traditional cone drivers. They can show subtle details and reproduce complex sounds precisely. They have a broad range of frequency response which allows them to create a wider frequency range with greater accuracy.
Planar speakers create a directed sound field, which could be a problem when you're listening in a room with other people. It's also the reason for their incredible quality of sound and their stunning image. The sound seems to be emitted directly from the speaker, much like a sonic laser beam that can be heard even when you're off-axis.
The flat diaphragm, combined with the acoustic waves front provides them with a higher sense of depth and space than cone speakers. They tend to have a low noise floor which makes them less distracting when in noisy environments. planars headphones are favored by a lot of audiophiles due to their natural sound quality.
There are some limitations to the technology. Planar drivers are more difficult to create and heavier than cone drivers. They can also be difficult to mount in certain environments. They also require a greater power output to drive them, which could limit their maximum output.
Wisdom Audio is a leader in the development of PMD technology and its products continue to push the boundaries of what this breakthrough technology can do. The new materials that it has patented can withstand temperatures far higher than PET, which is the material used in the majority of planar driver. Its unique design minimizes the effects diffraction which occurs when sound waves pass through narrow gaps or curves.
The headphones and speakers made by this company are renowned for their incredibly detailed and clear sound, free of distortion. They are also more responsive than cone drivers, which helps enhance their bass response. They're also capable of reproducing high frequencies with amazing accuracy and can also produce powerful, deep bass.
