The Best Planar Headphones

The most effective planar headphones combine high-end audio quality with a premium design. They are also extremely portable and do not require an amplifier that is specifically designed to reach their full potential.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional dynamic drivers, utilize thin membranes imprinted with conductors strung across arrays magnets to manipulate soundwaves at incredible speeds. This produces a crisp and clear audio profile that takes well to EQ tweaking.

Sundara Headphones from HiFiMAN

The Sundara are open-back, earphones that offer great sound reproduction. They are manufactured by HiFiMAN and utilize planar driver magnetic drivers to deliver a clear and crisp sound with a fast transient response. The headphones feature the frequency range of 6Hz to 75kHz and an impedance range of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for Planar Closed Back Headphones audiophiles that love to listen to classical, jazz, and other genres.

They have a fantastic soundstage and amazing spatial imaging that engulfs you in the music. The Sundara also has a good bass response that is deep and well-textured. It's not as powerful as other headphones, but it does have an impressive punch. It also has an excellent Treble response that isn't too bright or veiled.

The Sundara is a fantastic headphone for clarity. Its tone is neutral with a hint of a planar timbre. It also offers good mid-range detail and superb positioning definition. However, it is lacking some low-end rumble and impact. This can be fixed with equalization.

In comparison to the HIFIMAN HE400se, the Sundara has better control over its dynamic range and is more precise in its response to treble. They also have a more spacious passive soundstage, making them an ideal choice for home listening.

The Sundara has a premium-looking design with big round ear cups and faux leather padding. The headphones are light and comfortable, and come with a strong band that sits well on the head. The flat cable is easy to wrap around neck. They don't block out outside noise, so they aren't the best choice for commuting. They require a lot of power to function, which is why they're not ideal for portable devices.

The HIFIMAN Sundara has a fairly neutral sound, but it is not the most comfortable headphone to wear for extended durations of time. It's not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X but it has a more rounded, less veiled the treble response. Its bass is stronger than the DT 900, but it does not cause distortion or overpowering, and its treble is smooth and detailed.

HIFIMAN He400SE

HiFiMAN is one of the leading personal audio brands that take pride on bringing the latest technologies to the market. The company is most well-known for their critically acclaimed planar magnetic headphones that feature modern driver technology. Their most recent offering is the HE400SE which is an upgrade to the adored HE400s model that has garnered the attention of audiophiles. This headphone has an improved Stealth Magnet that is designed to minimize wave-diffraction turbulence. It also guarantees pure sound output.

The HE400SE is a low-cost option that brings the same high-quality sound that HiFiMAN is known for. It is comfortable, light and offers a good deal of passive sound insulation. The headband is redesigned for an improved design, and the cups are made of durable, lightweight materials. The ear pads are supple and comfortable on ears. The HE400SE also has a cable that can be detached to make it easy to connect.

As you might think, the HE400SE can produce an excellent bass response. The sub-bass has a lovely rumble and low frequencies are nicely reproduced. Drums and other percussion instruments have a pleasing tone. The HE400SE offers natural vocals with excellent midrange clarity. Male voices are crisp clean and clear. They are not too thin or brittle.

However the HE400SE has its own limitations. Its imaging capabilities are somewhat restricted and its soundstage is not as spacious as other headphones. The HiFiMan Ananda is a sister model with a better separation of instruments and a more three-dimensional sound.

The HE400SE represents a solid entry into the world of magnetic headphones that Planar Closed Back Headphones and is a fantastic option for those who are budget-friendly. It's a bit more pricey than some of its rivals, but it offers a sound that the majority of headphones in this category cannot beat. Additionally, the HE400SE is less than half the price of premium planars like the Audeze Clementine DLX or Monolith M570.

Sivga P-II

Sivga P-II is an open back planar headphone with a very esthetical look, it also has a great sound quality. It has a huge dual-sided magnetic diaphragm driver on each side, and delivers a powerful sound output that is bursting with detail retrieval. It features a powerful lower end, a realistic vocals and a smooth detailed treble section.

It took three years to design this top-quality product, which is the result of tuning, research and ingenuity. It is made of premium solid walnut wood for a headphone chamber, and adheres to traditional craftsmanship to ensure that every aspect is carefully planned and manufactured.

With high-end materials and most advanced technology using the highest-quality materials and the latest technology, the P-II delivers the best possible audio quality. Its earpads are covered with protein leather and have light clamping force, making it comfortable for long listening sessions. The frame made of wood is strong and feels luxurious. It has a nice feel to it. It has a good amount of isolation and sound leakage and the cable is made using single-crystal 6N copper which is quite soft, tangle-resistant, and has no noise.

The SIVGA P-II has an extremely balanced upper midrange tone that is neither dull nor bright, and isn't subject to issues like muddiness, or mixing. Female vocals are pretty soft and smooth, whereas pianos sound full-bodied and sweat in tonality without displaying any noticeable harshness.

This headphone is an excellent alternative for those seeking an affordable, open-back headphone that has excellent sound quality. The SIVGA P-II boasts an impressive impedance of 32ohm, and the sensitivity is 98dB, which means it can be powered by Portable Players with sufficient power, such as the FiiO M11 Pro or the iBasso DX220. It also has a very high dynamic range and an incredibly warm, rich and vibrant sound.

The SIVGA has a wide soundstage and a great bass response. The bass is deep and powerful, planar closed back Headphones with a good extension. It has a deep and deep midrange, which is ideal for listening to classical music.

HiFiMAN Deva Pro

The Deva Pro is a new headphone by HiFiMAN that brings the company's high-end tech to a more affordable experience. It comes with a supernano diaphragm, which is 80% thinner than their other designs, allowing more responsive transients and better audio quality. The headphones are extremely comfortable, which is one of the major benefits of planars. They can be worn for extended periods of time without getting tired.

The earpads are made from a soft and durable fabric which prevents sweat build-up when you listen for long periods of time. The headband is also adjusted to fit your head shape. The Deva Pro's soundstage can be described as spacious and detailed and has a great sense of flow. The mids are particularly impressive, since they offer excellent vocal projection and a relaxed and smooth tone. However the bass is less precise and tight than some other planars.

The Deva Pro is warmer and more natural than other HiFiMAN Planars. However, it lacks some of the analytical details. The mids are its most impressive feature, as they bring all the instruments and voices to create a vast soundstage. The bass is robust and full, however it often lacks the physical rumble of some other headphones.

The Deva Pro is good at managing bass, but it could be more precise with its tuning. Overall, it sounds great and is certainly an appropriate alternative to higher-end models.

HiFiMAN has simplified their appearance to all of their products in recent times and the Deva Pro is no exception. They are available in a sleek black, silver and gold color scheme and their packaging is designed to be simple. They also include a Bluemini R2R adapter, which makes them a true hybrid headphone.