Top 5 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
While it is true that planar magnetic headphones tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts, it does not mean that they are superior. It all depends on the pedigree of the brand and the way they have developed their products.
HIFIMAN's HE1000V2 has been redesigned with stealth magnets technology. It offers a better sonic performance than the previous generation. You can hear more detail and clarity in classical music.
OPPO PM-3
OPPO has built its reputation through Blu-ray and DVD players, but now it has jumped into the market of portable headphones. The PM-3s are aimed squarely at the highly contested hybrid market for headphones that are suitable for both home and when on the move. In this regard, they're one of the few that utilize magnetic drivers in a planar configuration that are able to be taken out and go out.
pop over to this site have a distinct sound signature. They tend to be flat and have great transient response, detail and are generally neutral. The OPPO PM-3s have a relaxed sound that is easy to listen to and have a high degree of clarity. They are also extremely lightweight and comfortable.
The earcups are wrapped in a beautiful black leather, which gives them a look that's quite different from other closed-back headphones. The earcups feature a sloping design that curves down over your ears and the headband is constructed of the same material. The earcups can be folded to fit into the carry case that comes with the headphones.
They have a pretty large impedance of 26 ohms, and are classified as sensitive at 102 dB. This gives them very good power handling and should work with all mobile devices. They're not as efficient as Audio Technica MSR7s, for example but they still perform admirably.
I find the upper midrange on these headphones to be on the warm side, and the treble is somewhat lost. They're not as muddy and sluggish, but they do offer a good level of detail in the midrange that's impossible to beat at this price.
A specialist supplier of high-end boutique brands, OPPO offers the PM-3s, which come with a stylish and fitted case and a sturdy stylish carry case. Both are made from "selvedge jeans" on vintage shuttle-looms. The OPPO PM-3s come equipped with a variety of cables, including three for Android devices and Apple devices, as well as an extension cable for home use.
HIFIMAN H1000V2
The HE1000V2 is the latest version of HiFiMAN's most popular HE Series. It features a thin diaphragm constructed with nano-technology and dual asymmetrical magnetics for superior sound. Its design uses an opaque window to shield the driver and allow sound waves to travel. This creates an improved sound signature. This is a significant improvement over the previous model that had a thick layer of magnets, which caused transmission interference.
The HiFiMAN® HE1000V2 premium headphone is a beacon of sophistication and elegance. The combination of cool metal components with sumptuous leather and wood veneers gives an opulent feel that very few headphones can rival. Its acoustics are no exception with its impressive soundstage and natural tone. The treble produces a bright, sparkling, and prominent sound without being harsh or too sharp. Its clarity lets it be able to discern cymbals' room reverb and other subtle nuances.
Each note is taken care of. This ensures the bass isn't too loud or booming. The precise timing of the bass allows it to handle complex basslines in genres like EDM and Hip Hop. The midrange is a neutral and linear and has perceptibly fast leading transients. This makes it a fantastic companion for vocals, with the ability to reproduce voices and acoustic instruments to great accuracy.
The HE1000V2 doesn't drive as easily as the Focal Utopia. This is true even when using an amp that is portable, such as the Chord Hugo. It requires a high-quality source to be fully optimized and that's why it's recommended to utilize an external DAC to get the most value from it. The HE1000V2 gets noisy when driven too low and loses details.
The HiFiMAN offers incredible value for money, despite its high cost. Its combination of spatial imaging, reference resolution, and powerful bass make it a fantastic option for those who want to experience the entire soundscape. The HE1000V2's sound is a testimony to HiFiMAN's commitment to quality audio and its light weight design and comfort makes it perfect for long listening sessions.
Meze Liric
The Meze Liric planar magnetic closed-back headphone has a rich and expansive soundstage. It is lightweight and comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The earpads are made out of leatherette, which makes them more comfortable than common cloth alternatives. The copper-accented metal frame appears elegant and is designed to keep heat from the ears of listeners, which is helpful for longer listening sessions. They also feature the cross-shaped pad which will help reduce heat build up on the top of the head. The headband is also shaped to prevent the pads from hitting your ears when wearing glasses. The ear cups are designed with an angle that's slightly lower to better fit your ears. This stops them from sliding when you move your neck. The Meze Liric is a great choice for music lovers who are active and enjoy their music moving about.
Meze's collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics continues with the Liric. It was developed to offer an entirely new style for the 99 Classics series while also contesting some of the top flagship closed-back headphones on the market. The first Liric was a great success, and the second model offers even more refinement of Meze's industrial design capabilities.
It's also less expensive in comparison to the open-back Empyrean or Elite models. This makes it a more affordable alternative for those looking to experience the benefits of planar magnetic headphone without breaking the bank.
They have high sensitivity and a low impedance, which means they should be able to drive most modern sources with no problem. They also have a closed back, which means they can block out a portion of the ambient noise. This isn't the best solution in every situation since you might still hear some sounds from the surroundings.
The Meze Liric has a warm, rich tone with an emphasis on lower frequencies. This makes music more enjoyable and emphasizes the finer details of the music. They also have a great clarity and don't sound overly clinical or synthetic. The upper mids and highs are a little too smooth for my taste however, it's not a problem.
Audeze LCD-XC
The LCD-XC closed-back magnetic planar headphone is a top-quality product for the price. It has a wide and well-defined soundstage with great separation from left to right and deep. It also features excellent imaging capability and micro-detail retrieval. The high-frequency response allows for accurate music playback. It's a great choice for audiophiles who are looking for headphones that offer both premium quality and portability.
The Audeze LCD-XC features a unique planar design, which is characterized by its flat diaphragm that is suspended between two magnets. This design creates a consistent powerful magnetic field around the driver, which decreases distortion and offers excellent accuracy. The ear cups that are sealed offer superior isolation and block out ambient noise. The LCD-XC's 106mm 20 ohm dual-sided magnet planar magnetic drivers are very efficient, which means that the headphone is able to produce great sound with the use of a low-power source.
This headphone is well-built and comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. Its earcups are well-padded, and they are perfect. The headband is constructed of a powder-coated split spring steel and uses an elongated protein leather pressure strap that is able to distribute the weight evenly across your scalp and ears. The headphone weighs 677g, which can be a bit heavy after a few hours. However, the headband and earpads are well-padded to ensure comfort.
The LCD-XC headphone is impressive, however it does have some limitations that make it not ideal for certain audiophiles. It has a soaring upper-treble that may be too bright to some listeners. It also has slightly slack in the lower midrange, which can be a problem for some listeners.
Despite these minor drawbacks the LCD-XC is a extremely enjoyable headphone for listening to music and production. The headphone's neutral bass response is a welcome addition to its overall balance. It has a great stage size and depth, superb left-to-right separation, as well as exceptional imaging and micro-detail retrieval. It also has a beautiful presentation of the piano and vocals.