Best Planar Magneti Headphones: Gaming, who does not love gaming? I do, and sound is a vital aspect of it. If the sound/audio is not correct, the gaming experience is incomplete; thus, to complete the experience, one needs a good set of headphones. Now, the market is enormous, there are so many brands in the market that it might get confusing for someone who is not deep into the field, but no worries, I got you! I have tried enough gaming headphones from so many different brands that I know which type of headphones is worth your money, and it is Planar Magnetic. There are a lot of headphones under the type, but we are only going to be talking about the best planar magnetic headphones. Let’s get started:
Table of Contents
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones For Gaming
Before mentioning the different models, I would like to enlist a few reasons why you should consider going with planar magnetic headphones first. The first reason is its quality. The touch and feel of the product will make you feel like a pro gamer. It is reliable, and the best reason is its value for money. No other headphone gives you all of these qualities at such a high price point.
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1. Audeze Penrose X Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox, Xbox Series X, Series S, Windows, Skype, and Zoom
You might not have heard of the brand, but they are good at what they do, and that is why the first planar magnetic headphone on this list comes from them. The placement of these headphones is over-ear, so you can be sure about not being distracted by any outside noise.
Being a wireless gaming headphone, there is no need to worry about issues such as wire entanglement and even issues such as wear & tear. It is speedy in response, comes with Bluetooth 5.0, and the best part? You can use both the fast wireless feature and the Bluetooth feature simultaneously.
Key features:
- Premium magnetic drivers
- Simultaneous functionality
- Over-ear placement
Pros:
- Detachable boom microphone
- Can work with multiple gaming platforms such as Xbox and Playstation
- Comes with an app for multiple customizations
Cons:
- Does not reduce 100 per cent of outside noise
2. Audeze Mobius planar Magnetic Closed-Back Headphones (Carbon)
Again coming from the same, we have the Audeze Mobius planar magnetic closed-back headphones. Out of all the planar magnetic headphones I have seen, these headphones are worth the money. Designed for high-end PC gaming, Mobius’s speciality is its process power.
Since all the processing takes place inside the headphones, there is no time delay between the cause and the effect. The sound experience, thus, makes you feel like you are sitting in a movie theatre. One of the things that I like about the Mobius is that it is very comfortable and can be put on for a longer duration.
Key features:
- Designed and built with high-quality materials
- Works with different gaming platforms
- Integrated sound functionality
Pros:
- Multiple ways of connecting such as USB, wireless (Bluetooth)
- No noise during calls
- Built-in noise attenuation
Cons:
- Expensive
3. HIFIMAN SUNDARA Hi-Fi Headphone with 3.5mm Connectors, Planar Magnetic, Comfortable Fit with Updated Earpads-Black, 2020 Version
Now we come to the most known brand for planar magnetic headphones. The Sundara headphones not only look apart from all the planar magnetic headphones available on the market but are also different when it comes to the sound experience. This is because HIFIMAN is the brand that first started working on planar magnetic headphones.
So, the sound quality and experience are way different in HIFIMAN headphones because the diaphragm in their headphones is 80 per cent thinner than what it used to be previously. Also, the earpads in the Sundara headphones are improved, which makes them more durable than they used to be.
Key features:
- Faster transients
- An extended frequency response
- More comfortable fit
Pros:
- Street-friendly
- Improved wiring
- 3.5mm socket gives enhanced connectivity
Cons:
- No issues literally
4. HyperX Cloud Orbit S-Gaming Headset,3D Audio, Head Tracking, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Mac, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, Planar Magnetic headphones with Detachable Noise Cancelling Microphone, Pop Filter(HX-HSCOS-GM/WW)
Introducing the first wired planar magnetic headphone on this list, we have the S-gaming headset by HyperX. Just because it is wired does not mean that it is bad.
Typical issues one faces with wired headphones such as early wear and tear and wire entanglement are not so common on these headphones. This is because the wire used in making these headphones is of high premium quality. For the price you pay, these headphones come with premium Audeze planar magnetic drivers and a fully immersive 3D sound experience with Waves Nx.
Key Features:
- Advanced audio customization
- Waves Nx head tracking technology
- Purely designed for gaming
Pros:
- Sound pressure level – >120 dB
- Detachable noise cancellation mic with pop filter
- Comes with various connecting cables
Cons:
- Compatibility issues with phones
- Wired
5. SIVGA P-Ⅱ Over-Ear Open Back Walnut Wood Planar Magnetic Headphone
Probably the classiest-looking headphones on this list, the SIVGA P-II is a headphone that has gained popularity due to its wooden design and finish. It is also wired, so charging would not be an issue, but the range in which you can operate it will be limited.
The SIGVA P-II is known for a few characteristics: design, sound, comfort, and guarantee. Sigva wants to ensure that when you buy a headphone from them, the experience should be great, significant enough to make you recommend others.
Key features:
- 97mm*76mm ultra-nano double-sided magnetic planar diaphragm
- Superior sound characteristics
- The Bass is balanced and flows naturally
Pros:
- Optimized sound layering and transparency
- Use of premium material
- Traditional craftsmanship
- Earpads made of high-protein leather
Cons:
- Wired
- Expensive
6. HIFIMAN Ananda-BT High-Resolution Bluetooth Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Full-Size Headphone with Mic& Travel Case, APTX-HD, HWA, and LDAC Supported
The Ananda is going to be the most expensive headphone on this list. The reason why it is costly is also straightforward. The features it has, the sound experience it delivers, and the quality of material used in its building are the best of the best. The egg-shaped earpads look awkward, but there is a reason why the earpads have been designed that way, which no one except HIFIMAN knows.
In my opinion, it is the perfect planar magnetic headphone for gaming. HIFIMAN has got so many things right with this headphone that for a long time, no other headphone has competed with it in terms of anything. These features are so compiled that they make the Ananda my favourite planar magnetic headphone.
Key features:
- Bluetooth and wired connectivity
- High-quality DAC with a powerful, balanced amplifier
- Integrated High-Performance Amplification
Pros:
- The supernano diaphragm used is 80 per cent thinner than previous designs
- Ergonomic design and comfortable to wear
- Wide range of applications
- Plug and play microphone
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Fewer chances of getting serviced due to the lack of service centres in India
Product Guide
Dynamic and electrostatic headphones can be compared to planar magnetic headphones, often referred to as orthodynamic or isodynamic headphones. A planar driver, which can be either round or square, is made by sandwiching a conductive diaphragm between a row of magnets.
One of the first questions that might arise in your mind is what makes these Planar Magnetic headphones different from the conventional ones we are used to seeing. So, some noticeable differences are:
A different diaphragm
The diaphragm you will see in a planar magnetic headphone will be flat rather than cone-shaped, which we see in conventional headphones. This changes the way the sound is emitted from the headphone.
The thickness of the diaphragm
The thickness of the diaphragm is yet another thing that you can examine to determine whether the headphone is planar magnetic or not. First is, of course, the flat shape. The second is the thickness. The thinner the diaphragm, the better the sound quality and vice versa.
In terms of pricing, planar magnetic headphones are probably the most expensive form of headphones out there because the best of the best planar magnetic headphones cost thousands of dollars, which does sound unreal for just a headphone. Still, by the end of this article, you will realize that it is not just a headphone; it is more than that.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the difference between Planar Magnetic and Dynamic Drivers?
Ans: Planar magnetic drivers generally offer a better soundstage for high-resolution audio and transparent audio quality sound for professional studio monitoring and audiophile listening with no audio distortion. However, they provide detailed sound for interoperability with all devices and are more reasonably priced, portable, light, and comfy.
Planar magnetic headphones can, however, occasionally be difficult to wear due to their weight, steel-built design, and use of incredibly robust materials. They are therefore pricey and have a restricted supply. Additionally, most wireless headphones have dynamic drivers, while a few have planar technology.
Q2. How are planar magnetic headphones better than conventional headphones?
Ans: Due to the evenly-suspended diaphragm material between permanent magnetic fields, planar magnetic drivers make headphones that employ them very resistant to all types of electrical and audio distortion. Furthermore, they receive incredibly quick responses and little to no transient sound when the audio source ceases broadcasting high or low frequencies.
As explained, planar magnetic headphones produce a sound that is exceptionally even and accurate without the need for headphone amplifiers (though some audiophiles will still want to use them). The design lacks some of the “oomph” of a typical dynamic driver, which may provide the broader, wider sound that bass fans want. This is a drawback. They weigh a lot more than conventional designs as well.
Q3. Do planar magnetic headphones come with a guarantee?
Ans: Yes, they do; sometimes, it is not mentioned when the products are listed because it is an obvious thing. When you are paying hundreds of dollars, maybe even thousands, for a product, you should have some product security; that is where the guarantee part comes in. Most companies give a 1-year warranty on their headphones, and some even provide a 2-year warranty, but that differs from company to company.
Q4. Are there any particular things to look out for in planar magnetic gaming headphones?
Ans: You need open-back headphones for gaming if you want clear sound. Additionally, more open-back headphones have the potential to leak sound, which is a drawback for realistic gameplay. Closed-back headphones allow sound to circulate while keeping the audio close to the listener.
Open-back headsets’ natural soundscape is ideal for much better clarity. Both of these advantages are provided by wooden headphones. The best planar magnetic headphones for gaming are usually open-back designed headphones.
Wrapping Up
So, in this article, we have mentioned the best planar magnetic headphones for gaming. These headphones might not be the most pocket-friendly ones you can get, but they sure are worth the money. Most people would not have even heard about this category of headphones, and the ones who do, know how great they are.
I trust you liked this list of the best planar magnetic headphones for gaming and now are ready to revolutionize your gaming experience.
Kiran Kotte is a 25 years old Youtuber. He is a tech geek and also codes sometimes. He writes on various topics like Technology, Blogging, Web designing, and SEO. He runs various other blogs under various niches.