Top Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones provide an extensive and rich listening experience. They're popular among audiophiles looking to improve their listening experience.

Choosing the best headphones with planar magnetic closed back headphones magnetics depends on what you prioritize the most when it comes to the headphone. It comes down to image structure, Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones clarity and distinction, as well as bass punch and slam.

1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic

The LCD-2 was among the first headphones with a planar magnet to gain attention. It became so popular that it's now synonymous with the technology, and is still one of the top headphones of its kind. Its sound is incredible - especially for a headphone that is priced at over $1,000. The bass goes all the way to the point of hearing and has an incredible level of clarity. The upper mids are warm, but not obnoxious. Overall, there is a lot of detail in the sound, and very little distortion.

They are extremely comfortable to wear and are also very. The headband is soft and flexible, while the earpads are extremely soft. They're also light enough to be worn for long listening sessions without getting tired. Unfortunately, they don't provide a seal over the ears as some open-back headphones do. And this means you'll be able to hear the surroundings. This isn't a problem for quiet environments but could be an issue in louder areas.

The LCD-2 Classics have a very sturdy construction and are built to last. The earcups of the LCD-2 Classics are made with a crystal-infused nylon. This is a fantastic material for headphones. It looks tough and is much lighter than the wood rings used on other Audeze models.

However the LCD-2 Classics don't feel quite as luxurious as other high-end headphones. The LCD-2 Classics have a DIY feel with their visible screws and lack of finish. They are still a fantastic pair of headphones, but they might not be right for all people.

Monoprice Monolith M1060 offers a similar product at less cost. They feature the same technology as the LCD-2 Classics but at a lower cost. They also have a more secure seal on the earcups and come with a carry case. The LCD-2 Classics are missing the amazing bass extension and clarity that they have. However the sound quality is amazing and will please most audiophiles.

2. Meze LIRIC

Meze Audio's innovative and affordable planar magnetic headphones have made it a household name. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the company's latest headphone. It builds on the success of the first generation model, with improved performance and a new striped finish for improved modularity.

The LIRIC has a full-frequency response that ranges from 4Hz to 92kHz. It delivers stunningly detailed music with outstanding clarity and a broad soundstage. In addition the headphone's QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) effectively reduces high-frequency peaks that can be fatiguing to the ears.

The headphones are designed to block out background noise and provide high-quality listening even while on the move. They also have an oval-shaped design that fits the natural human ear's shape for a more direct channel to the source of sound.

The Meze LIRIC comes with the company's proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid array driver, that features dual-shaped voice coils that provide better ambience and spatial sound imaging. Dual voicing is the result of more than 30 years of research and development which makes it the most compact and light magnet driver available.

The LIRIC headphones come with an equalization system which regulates pressure and airflow in the earcups to improve sound quality. This ensures that the listener gets the same sound quality regardless of whether the headphones are worn at work, on a plane or commute to work.

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

If you're searching for the best $2000 closed-back planar magnetic headphones (see here now), the Meze LIRIC is a great choice. It's a strong rival to the Dan Clark Audio E3, but offers a slightly varying timbre and lighter overall.

3. Meze Elite

Meze Audio, a Romanian manufacturer, has been working to up their game in recent years with the release of various flagship products. The Elite, their latest offering, is their most premium headphone yet and a worthy replacement for the Empyrean as the brand's flagship.

The Elite is also an open-back model, but with unique wings that increase wearability. These wings are similar to the design on Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones, in that they spread the weight of the heavier than average driver across a larger area of your head, enhancing the comfort of listening for long durations. They do work well and I've worn the Elite for many hours without any discomfort.

Sonically it is a great headphone. Elite is a reference-style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic array driver which can deliver exceptionally low harmonic distortion, less than 0.1% across its entire frequency range. It also has the highest sensitivity rating of 101 dB/mW, and an impedance of 32 ohms, which means it can be powered very easily by even cheap headphone amplifiers and DAPs (assuming they can accept the standard headphone jack).

The diaphragm of the Elite is a important 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 was engineered by biaxial lengthening in a sequential manner. This process allows the Elite to be a slim yet strong diaphragm, while still providing an excellent resistance to fatigue and stress cracking.

This shift to a lower-mass diaphragm can also result in increased speed and resolution which brings the Elite to a level of performance that puts it right against rivals like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, albeit at a lower price. The Elite is even more resolving and neutral than the LCD-2 but still offers a sense the depth, transparency, air and transients.

4. Meze HE400SE

The HE400SE planar magnetic headphones are among the most well-known on the market. It's an excellent choice for audiophiles looking to switch to open-back headphones, and for those already familiar with the technology of planar magnets. It is equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet Design, which reduces distortion and wave diffraction to almost inaudible levels.

While the HE400SE isn't equipped with the bass extension that other HiFiMAN models have, it still delivers solid low end performance for a headphone with an open back. The HE400SE's low end is deep and full but does not sound squeaky or bass heavy. Overall, the tone is neutral but with some forward-looking midrange and an elevated treble that many listeners will find pleasing.

The HE400SE is a great sounding model with a clear sound. The HE400SE is an excellent choice for listening to classical or acoustic music. It's the most affordable headphone to listen to this type of music. If you're used closed-back headphones with bass-heavy tuning, the transition may be uncomfortable. It takes a few listening sessions to adjust to it.

The HE400SE's sound quality is impressive. The HE400SE can produce a large and rich soundstage that allows musicians to feel comfortable in the space. The vocals and the drums are prominent in Prince's Let's go Crazy. The guitar solo is extremely prominent, and can be easily heard over the other instruments.

The HE400SE is a great treble extension that has good clarity. The treble can be a bit warm but not overly harsh. It doesn't sound like other open back headphones with a more pronounced treble, but it doesn't sound as sibilant or tired either.

The HE400SE is a 25 O impedance device, which means it will need an amp with a high power to reach the maximum SPL. It can be used with the majority of portable and smartphones, but requires an amp with at least 0.5 W output power to reach its maximum SPL of 102 decibels.