The Best Planar Headphones
The most effective planar headphones combine top-tier audio quality with elegant design. They are also very portable and don't require a special amplifier to maximize their performance.
Contrary to traditional dynamic drivers planar magnetic headphones utilize thin membranes that are imprinted with conductors, and strung across arrays of magnets in order to alter the sound waves at a staggering speed. This results in a crisp and clear audio profile that takes well to EQ tweaking.
Sundara Headphones by HiFiMAN
The Sundara is a pair of open-back headphones that have outstanding sound quality. These headphones are manufactured by HiFiMAN and feature planar magnet drivers to deliver a crisp and clear sound with a fast transient response. The headphones come with an audio frequency range of 6Hz to75kHz and an impedance of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for audiophiles who love listening to classical music or jazz as well as other genres of music.
They have a fantastic soundstage and incredible spatial imaging that completely immerses you in the music. The Sundara has a deep, rich bass response. It is not as powerful as other headphones, but it has a nice amount of power. It also has a great bass response that isn't too bright or veiled.
The Sundara is a fantastic headphone for clarity. Its tonality is neutral, and has a slight hint planar timbre. It also provides excellent midrange details and excellent placement definition. It lacks some low-end rumble. Equalization can help to solve this.
Sundara is more precise and has a higher dynamic range than the HIFIMAN HE400se. They also have a larger passive soundstage, making them a great option for listening at home.
The Sundara is a classy design with large round ear cups, faux leather padding and a premium look. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear and they come with a sturdy headband that sits comfortably on the head. They also have a flat cable that is easy to wrap around your neck. They are not able to block out noise from outside, so they're not the best choice for commuters. They require a lot of power to function, which is why they're not suitable for devices that are portable.
The HIFIMAN sundara is a neutral headphone with a neutral sound. However it's not the most comfortable headphone to wear for long periods. It's not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X however it has a more rounded, less veiled sound and treble response. Its bass is more powerful than the DT 900 but does not alter or overpower. The treble is smooth and detailed.
HIFIMAN He400SE
HiFiMAN is a top brand of audio-related products for personal use that is known for bringing cutting-edge technology to the market. The company is most well-known for their highly acclaimed headphones with planar magnetic technology that boast the latest driver technology. Their most recent offering is the HE400SE which is an upgrade to the well-loved HE400s model that has caught the attention of audiophiles. The HE400SE headphone has a new Stealth Magnet design that is designed to reduce wave diffraction and ensure a clear sound output.
The HE400SE is a budget-friendly alternative that offers the same high-quality sound that HiFiMAN is renowned for. It is lightweight, comfortable and has a great deal of passive sound insulation. The headband has been revamped to provide a more ergonomic fitting and the cups are constructed of lightweight but sturdy materials. The ear pads feel soft and comfortable. The HE400SE also has a cable that can be removed to make it easy to connect.
As you might imagine it, the HE400SE can produce an excellent bass response. The sub-bass is well rumbled and the low frequencies sound good. Percussion instruments such as the drums have a snappy quality with a pleasing sound quality. The HE400SE also offers excellent midrange clarity and natural vocals. Male voices are crisp, clear and not too thin or brittle.
The HE400SE is not without limitations. Its imaging capabilities are limited, and the soundstage does not seem as spacious as other headphones. For example, its sister model, the HiFiMan Ananda, has better separation and layering of instruments and sounds more three-dimensional.
The HE400SE is a great entry into the world of magnetic headphones that planar and is an excellent option for those who are on a tight budget. It's a bit more expensive than some of its rivals, but it has a sound quality that other headphones in this price range cannot compete with. Moreover, it's also worth noting that the HE400SE is able to compete with premium planars like the Audeze Clementine DLX and Monolith M570 at less than half the price of the earlier.
Sivga P-II
Sivga P-II is an open-back planar headphone with a very aesthetic design, and provides a high-quality sound performance. It houses a large dual-sided magnetic planar diaphragm driver unit on each side, and delivers a powerful sound with stunning detail retrieval. It has a punchy low end, natural vocals that sound lifelike and a smooth, detailed high-end section.
It is a high-end product that took three years of dedication and research, tuning, and ingenuity to make it a reality. It makes use of natural solid walnut as a headphone holder, and is based on the traditional craftsmanship to ensure that every aspect is carefully designed.
Utilizing high-end materials and the most advanced technology using the highest-quality materials and the latest technology, the P-II provides the highest possible audio quality. The soft earpads are made of protein-leather, and have a low clamping force. This makes it comfortable to listen for extended durations. The wooden frame is robust and feels luxurious. It has a pleasant feel to it. It is able to provide a lot of isolation and sound leakage and the cable is made of single-crystal copper 6N, which is quite soft, tangle-resistant, and does not emit any noise.
The SIVGA has a well-balanced upper midrange that is neither dull nor bright. It is also not prone to issues like muddiness and mixing. Female vocals are very soft and smooth, whereas instruments like pianos are very full-bodied and sweat in tonality, but without displaying any remarkable harshness.
This is a great option for those seeking a high-quality open-back headphone for a reasonable cost. It also has excellent audio quality. The SIVGA P-II has an impressive impedance of 32ohm, and a sensitivity of 98dB, so it can be easily driven by Portable Players with sufficient power, such as the FiiO M11 Pro or the iBasso DX220. It has a high dynamic range, as well as a powerful and vibrant sound.
The SIVGA has a large soundstage and excellent bass response. The bass is strong and deep, as well as having an excellent extension. It has a deep and deep midrange that is perfect for listening to classical music.
HiFiMAN Deva Pro
The Deva Pro from HiFiMAN is a new headphone that brings HiFiMAN's high-end technology to an affordable price. It comes with a supernano diaphragm that is 80% thinner than their other designs, allowing for a faster response to transients and superior audio quality. The headphones are extremely comfortable, which is an important selling point for headphones that are planar. They can be worn for extended periods without feeling tired.
The earpads are constructed of a soft and long-lasting fabric that prevents sweat buildup during prolonged listening sessions. The headband is also flexible and can be adjusted to suit your head shape. The Deva Pro's soundstage is very large and detailed, with a nice sense of flow. Its mids are particularly impressive, since they offer excellent vocal projection and a relaxed and smooth tone. However, the bass is slightly less tight and accurate than some other planars.
The Deva Pro is warmer and more natural than other HiFiMAN Planars. However, it is lacking some analytical detail. Highly recommended Resource site are the most impressive feature, bringing all the voices and instruments into a large soundstage. The bass is strong and full, but may not have the physical rumble that is found in other headphones.
While the Deva Pro does a good job at handling the bass but it could be a little more precise in its tuning. Overall the Deva Pro is excellent and is a great competitor to the more expensive models.
HiFiMAN has simplified their look for all of their products in recent times and the Deva Pro is no exception. The packaging is minimalist and is available in an elegant black and silver color scheme. They also include a Bluemini R2R adapter that makes them truly a hybrid headphone.
The Deva Pro is the latest HiFiMAN's headphone to implement their "Stealth Magnet" design, which helps reduce distortion by reducing the turbulence of wave diffraction. The new design has rounded magnets positioned so that they don't disrupt sound waves. It's like it has a slight impact on the audio and users have said that it enhances the high-frequency and mid-range detail.