Is Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones The Best There Ever Was?

· 6 min read
Is Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones The Best There Ever Was?

Top 5 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones

It is true that planar magnet headphones are generally more expensive than dynamic driver headphones, but that does not mean that they are necessarily superior. It all depends on the history of the brand and the way they have designed their products.

HIFIMAN has revamped their HE1000V2 model with stealth magnets technology and provides improved sound quality over the previous generation. You can hear more clarity and more detail in classical music.

OPPO PM-3

OPPO has established its reputation through Blu-ray and DVD players, but it is stepping into the market of portable headphones. The PM-3s are aimed squarely at the keenly contested hybrid segment for headphones that are suitable for use at home as well as on the go. In this regard, they're among of the few that utilize magnetic drivers with a planar design that you can take out and go out.

Planar magnetic headphones have a distinct sound signature. They tend to be flat and have excellent detail, transient response, and are generally extremely neutral. The OPPO PM-3s are simple to listen to and offer a great degree of detail. They're also incredibly light and comfortable to wear.

The earcups feature a gorgeous black leather covering, which makes them look quite different to other closed-back headphones. The earcups have a curvature towards your ears, and the headband is also made of the same material. The earcups can be folded to fit inside the carry case that comes with the headphones.

They have an impedance of around 26 ohms. They are considered to be sensitive at 102dB. They have a high power handling and will work with the majority of mobile devices. They're not as efficient as the Audio Technica MSR7s, for instance however they're adequate enough to do the job.

The upper midrange is a bit warm, and the treble seems to have been rolled off. Nevertheless, they're not as sluggish and muddy as many headphones at this price point and the midrange offers an exceptional level of clarity that's difficult to beat at this price point.

A specialist manufacturer of premium boutique brands provides the OPPO PM-3s, which come with a stylish and fitted case and a robust and stylish carry case. Both are made from "selvedge jeans" on old shuttle-looms. They're also equipped with a few cables that include three cables for Android and Apple devices as well as an American cable.

HIFIMAN  try this site  is the latest version of HiFiMAN's flagship HE Series. It has a tiny nano-tech designed diaphragm and dual magnets that are asymmetrical for better sound quality. The design utilizes windows to shield the driver while allowing sound waves to pass. This results in an improved sound signature. This is a significant improvement over the previous model that had a heavy layer of magnets, which caused transmission interference.

The HiFiMAN H1000V2 is a top-quality headphone that exudes sophisticated design and class. The combination of cool metal components with luxurious leather and wood veneers creates a an exquisite feel that only a few headphones can match. The acoustics of the model are also exceptional and boast a stunning wide soundstage and natural tone. The treble produces a bright and sparkling sound that isn't too sharp. Its clarity allows you to hear the subtle sounds of cymbals reverberating in the room.

Bass is deep and powerful Each note is handled with attention to detail. This ensures that the bass doesn't get too loud or booming. Its precise timing makes it able to handle complex basslines in genres like EDM and Hip Hop. The midrange is an unidirectional and linear sound with perceptibly fast leading transients. It is a great partner for vocals since it can reproduce voices and acoustic instrument with great accuracy.

The HE1000V2 does not drive as smoothly as the Focal Utopia. This is true even when you're using an amplifier that can be carried around like the Chord Hugo. It requires a high-quality source to be fully optimized, which is why it's recommended to use an external DAC to get the most out of it. The HE1000V2 gets muddy when under-driven and loses clarity.

Despite its pricey pricing, the HiFiMAN HE1000V2 offers incredible value for money. Its combination of reference resolution spatial image, high-quality sound and powerful bass makes it a fantastic choice for music enthusiasts who want to enjoy the full soundscape. HiFiMAN's commitment to sound quality is evident in the HE1000V2 sound. Its lightweight design and comfort make it perfect for long listening sessions.

Meze Liric

The Meze Liric planar magnetic closed-back headphone has a deep and expansive soundstage. It is lightweight, and comfortable for long listening sessions. The leatherette earpads offer an extra-comfortable alternative to the common cloth ear pads. The copper-accented frame looks elegant and is designed to keep heat from the listener's ears, which is helpful during long listening sessions. The cross-shaped pads on top of the head can also help reduce heat buildup. The headband is also shaped to stop the pads from hitting your ears while wearing glasses. The ear cups are designed with a slight angle to better fit your ears. This will prevent them from sliding as you move your neck. The Meze Liric is a great option for those who love music and are active and want to enjoy their music moving about.

Meze's collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics continues with the Liric. The Liric was designed to provide an entirely new style for the 99 Classics series while also contesting some of the top premium closed-back headphones on the market. The first Liric was a huge success and this second-generation model is even more refined of Meze's industrial design capabilities.

It is also more affordable than the open-back Empyrean and Elite models. This makes it a good option for anyone who wants to experience the advantages of planar magnetic headphones without breaking the bank.

They are designed with an extremely low impedance as well as high sensitivity, so they should be able to drive most modern sources without any problems. They come with a closed-back which blocks out some ambient noise. It's not the best solution in all situations since you could still hear some sounds from the surroundings.

The Meze Liric has a warm rich, rich sound with a strong emphasis on the lower frequencies. This makes songs more enjoyable, and also highlights the finer details of the music. They also have a good clarity and don't sound too clinical or synthetic. The upper mids, and the highs sound a little too smooth to my ears. However, this isn't a deal-breaker.

Audeze LCD-XC

The LCD-XC is an open-back magnetic headphone with a planar design that provides outstanding performance for the price. It has a spacious soundstage and excellent left-to-right and depth separation. It has excellent imaging and micro-detail retrieval. The high-frequency response enables accurate playback of music. Audiophiles looking for headphones that have top-quality sound quality and portability will love this option.

The Audeze LCD-XC is distinguished by a planar magnetic design that features an elongated diaphragm that is suspended between two magnets. This design creates strong, uniform magnetic field around the driver which reduces distortions and offers excellent precision. The ear cups of the headphone are also sealed to provide superior isolation, blocking out any ambient noise. The LCD-XC has two-sided magnetic driver drivers with planar magnetic design that measure 106mm and 20 ohm. This means that the headphone can provide excellent sound even with a low power source.

This headphone has a solid construction and is comfortable for long listening sessions. The ear cups are padded and fit the ears perfectly. The headband is constructed of powder-coated split spring steel and uses a vented protein leather pressure strap that distributes the weight evenly on your scalp and ears. The headphone's 677g weight may be a bit heavy after a couple of hours, but the earpads and headband are well-padded to ensure comfort.

The LCD-XC headphone is stunning, but it does have some limitations that make it unsuitable for some audiophiles. It has a very open upper-treble that can be too bright for certain listeners. It could also be a bit lean on the lower midrange, which can be a problem for some listeners.


Despite these minor flaws, the LCD-XC is a very enjoyable headphone to use for listening to music or production. The headphone's neutral bass response is a great addition to its overall balance. It has a wide and deep stage, superb separation between left and right and exceptional imaging. It also has an excellent performance of piano and vocals.