The Best Planar Headphones
The most effective planar headphones combine high-end audio quality with a elegant design. They are also very portable and don't require a specialized amplifier to reach their full potential.
Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to traditional dynamic drivers use thin membranes that are imprinted with conductors that are strung across arrays magnets to manipulate soundwaves at amazing speeds. This results in a crisp, clear audio profile that is well suitable for EQ tuning.
Sundara Headphones by HiFiMAN
The Sundara is an open-back pair of headphones that provide great sound quality and excellent sound reproduction. These headphones are manufactured by HiFiMAN and utilize planar magnet drivers to deliver an uncluttered and clear sound with a rapid transient response. They have an audio frequency range of 6Hz to 75kHz and an impedance of 32 ohms. These headphones are ideal for audiophiles who like listening to classical, jazz, and other genres.
They have a stunning soundstage and stunning spatial imaging that immerses you in the music. The Sundara has a deep, rich bass response. It's not as powerful as other headphones, but it does have a punchy sound. It has a wonderful bass response that isn't too bright nor too tinny.
The Sundara is a fantastic headphone for clarity. Its tonality is neutral and has a slight hint of planar timbre. It also has a great midrange definition and excellent placement clarity. It is lacking some low-end rumble. Equalization could help remedy this.
Comparatively to the HIFIMAN HE400se, the Sundara has better control over its dynamic range and is more accurate in its response to treble. They also have a bigger soundstage that is passive, making them an excellent choice for listening at home.
The Sundara is a classy style with large ear cups, faux leather padding and a stylish look. The headphones are light and comfortable, and come with a rigid band that fits well on the head. The flat cable is easy to wrap around the neck. They don't block out outside noise, so they aren't the best choice for commuting. These headphones require a lot of power to function, and therefore they're not suited for portable devices.
The HIFIMAN Sundara has a surprisingly neutral sound, but it is not the most comfortable headphone to wear for long durations of time. It's not as comfortable as the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X but it does have a more rounded and less veiled sounding treble. Its bass is more powerful than the DT 900 but does not alter or overpower. The treble is well-defined and smooth.
HIFIMAN H400SE
HiFiMAN is one of the top personal audio brands that take pride on bringing the latest technologies to the market. The company is best known for their critically acclaimed planar magnetic headphones, which feature the latest driver technology. Their latest offering is the HE400SE which is an upgrade to the adored HE400s model that has caught the attention of audiophiles. This headphone has an improved Stealth Magnet that is designed to reduce the amount of turbulence that waves cause. It also ensures pure sound output.
The HE400SE provides the identical HiFiMAN sound quality at an affordable price. It's light, comfortable and provides a decent amount of passive sound isolation. The headband has been redesigned to give a more comfortable fitting and the cups are constructed of lightweight, but durable materials. The ear pads are soft and comfortable. The HE400SE comes with a an earbud-like cable that can be detached for an easy connection.
As you would imagine it, the HE400SE is able to produce an outstanding bass response. The sub-bass has a nice rumble to it and the low frequencies are well reproduced. Percussion instruments like the drums have a snappy quality with pleasing sound quality. The HE400SE also provides great midrange clarity and natural voice. Male voices are clear and clear without sounding too thin or brittle.
The HE400SE is not without its limitations. Its imaging capabilities are a bit restricted, and the soundstage doesn't seem like it is as large as other headphones. For headphones planar , its sister model that is the HiFiMan Ananda, has better separation and layering of instruments and has a more 3D sound.
The HE400SE is a solid entry into the world of planar magnetic headphones. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy music and are on a tight budget. It is a bit more pricey than some of its competitors, however it delivers the kind of sound that the majority of headphones in this class cannot compete with. Moreover 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 that has a stunning esthetical look, it also offers a good sound performance. It has a 97mm*76mm magnetic planar diaphragm unit on both sides, and delivers a powerful output with brilliant detail retrieval. It has a snarling low-end, natural voice that sound like real life, and a smooth, detailed high-end section.
It is a top-quality product which has taken three years of hard work and research, tuning, and ingenuity to make it a reality. It uses premium natural solid walnut wood as a headphone enclosure, and adheres to traditional manufacturing techniques to ensure that each element is meticulously designed and made.
Utilizing high-end materials and the latest technology The P-II offers the best 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 feels premium and sturdy, and also has a great weight to it. It is able to provide a lot of isolation and sound leakage, and the cable is made with 6N single-crystal copper, which is quite soft, tangle-resistant, and doesn't emit any noise.
The SIVGA P-II has a wonderfully balanced upper midrange tone that is neither dull nor bright, and isn't subject to issues such as muddiness or mixings. Female vocals sound very natural and smooth. Instruments like pianos have full-bodied tones and sweat, but without being harsh.
This headphone is a great choice for those who want an affordable open-back model that has excellent sound quality. The SIVGA P-II has an impressive impedance of 32ohm and an sensitivity of 98dB making it able to be operated by Portable Players with sufficient power, such as the FiiO M11 Pro or the iBasso DX220. It features a wide dynamic range, as well as a full and vivid sound.
The SIVGA has a wide soundstage and excellent bass response. The bass is powerful and deep, and has a good extension. It has a deep and deep midrange that is perfect for listening 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 price. It has a supernano-diaphragm, which is 80% smaller than the other models. This allows for faster transient response as well as better audio quality. The headphones are also comfortable to wear, a major benefit for those who purchase planars, as they can be worn for long durations without feeling fatigued.
The earpads are made from a soft and durable fabric that helps prevent sweat accumulation when you listen for long periods of time. The headband is also flexible and adjustable to suit your head shape. The Deva Pro's soundstage can be described as expansive and clear and has a great feeling of flow. The mids are particularly impressive, offering excellent vocal projection as well as the sound is smooth and relaxed. The bass is a little less precise and tense than other planars.
Comparatively to other HiFiMAN planars, the Deva Pro sounds warmer and more natural, even though it lacks as much analytical depth. The mids are the most impressive element of its sound, bringing together all the instruments and vocals into an impressively large soundstage. The bass is also very robust and full, however it may not have the physical rumble that is found in other headphones.
While the Deva Pro does a good job of managing the bass however, it could be a little more precise in its tuning. Overall the sound of the Deva Pro is great and is a worthy rival to more expensive options.
HiFiMAN has simplified the appearance of all their products in the present, and Deva Pro is not an exception. The packaging is minimalist and comes in a sleek silver and black color scheme. They also include an Bluemini R2R adapter that makes them an authentic hybrid headphone.
The Deva Pro, the latest in the HiFiMAN series of headphones, features their "Stealth Magnet" which reduces distortion through reducing wave diffracted. The new design features round magnets that are placed in a way that they don't interrupt the sound waves. It's like it has a slight influence on the sound, and some users have reported that it improves both the high-frequency and mid-range detail.