Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000
A planar magnetic set is a great option for those who wish to upgrade their headphones. However, they can also be quite expensive.
There are plenty of fantastic options for headphones that are priced below the $1000 mark. In this article, we will review the top budget planar headphones to give you an unforgettable listening experience.
1. Beyerdynamic T1
Beyerdynamic is a cutting-edge German brand in headphone design. The Beyerdynamic T1 is made from premium materials and has an elegant design. It's a delight to wear. They are very comfortable and feature an extremely soft headband and padded and replaceable ear pads. They may feel a little rough on the skin initially but they quickly meld into the ears and head and offer long listening sessions with no discomfort.
The T1 has a natural sound with elevated but controlled bass and clean mids. The highs can be extremely sharp and detailed, but they might be too loud for those who prefer a more gentle bass. They are an excellent pair of headphones for critical listening, and perform best at low to medium volumes. They can maintain their balance even when playing abrasive music, such as black metal or death metal, and will not be overwhelmed by crash of cymbals.
Another great feature is the T1's exceptional dynamic range. It can reproduce the extreme variations in the volume of more quiet and less loud parts with a high level of clarity and precision. They are an excellent choice for musicians who wish to be able to hear every nuance and detail of their instrument as well as audiophiles who appreciate the ability to differentiate between different instruments within the song.
A nice touch is the gold-plated connectors and the Beyerdynamic logo on the earcup. This is a sign and guarantee of quality. The headphones are protected by a tough case when not in use. Included is a detachable cord and a quarter inch adapter.
The Beyerdynamic T1 has a closed back design and isn't portable. They are not able to protect you from the noises of daily life such as rush hour traffic or children's alarm clocks, as well as annoying partners. The large ear cups are not made for physical activities like running, because they can easily fall off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p also features an open-back design, however the cups are smaller. They may be better for listening on the go.
2. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
The HIFIMAN Nano is the newest version of HIFIMAN’s popular mid-range, open-back headphones. The Nano is a quantum leap forward from the initial Ananda model, incorporating an innovative nanometer thickness diaphragm, as well as a more clear stealth magnet that also appeared on the ultra premium Susvara headphone. These features promise extremely low distortion and lightning-fast transient responses, and a noticeable improvement in dynamics and details.
The result is a large and deep soundstage, with excellent separation between vocals and instruments. The Nano has a warm sound with a peak in the upper mids, which makes it perfect for hip-hop, pop, and rock.
This emphasis in the upper mids comes with a few drawbacks, however. This causes a distorted sound in the higher frequencies, where certain details are lost. The Nano is not suitable for classical music because the lower mids are usually overshadowed.
The bass is powerful and powerful, with a good bass timbre at the lower end. It's a bit more full than the original Ananda bass which is ideal for modern m us ic such as pop, rock and gaming. However, it still has plenty of rumble to audiophiles who prefer more natural sound to their bass.
As you would expect leakage is not a good thing for open-back headphones. It can be an issue in noisy environments. The headphone also doesn't have a microphone, so you won't be able use it for mobile phone calls.
The HIFIMAN Nano is a great choice to anyone looking for a planar magnetic open-back headphone that's priced under $1000. It's a great upgrade from the previous model, and it's worth checking out. The Ananda Nano comes with a travel bag that is a great option for audiophiles traveling. The case is big enough to accommodate the Ananda Nano with its cable and a small player/DAC. A carrying case is included in the case. The headphones are durable and well-made, and come with a 3 year warranty.
3. Hifiman Edition XS
When HIFIMAN introduced the Edition X, it created quite an uproar in the world of audiophile. Now, the company has applied the same technology to a smaller, less expensive headphone that is positioned between the Sundara and the Ananda. The Edition XS uses the same aerodynamically-shaped stealth magnets and a thin "Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm" to guarantee fast response time with minimal distortion.
As with all HIFIMAN products, these headphones are extremely sturdy and well-constructed. They are durable enough to stand up to heavy use and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The cups are also constructed of a non-resonant material that helps minimize the sound. A tangle-free cord with a straight plug is included in the box as well as a headphone stand that can also double as a portable storage case for the headphones.
The Edition XS is a very top planar magnetic headphone which offers excellent detail resolution. This means you'll hear things in your music that weren't evident before, or perhaps notice flaws in your recordings you wouldn't have noticed with a different set of headphones. They have a wide soundstage and superior imaging that fills the entire room with three-dimensional clarity.
These headphones have an even and neutral sound profile, so they can be used with any type of music. They have excellent mids and reproduce vocals and lead instruments accurately, although they may lack some the rumble and punch in their bass. They have clear precise high frequencies, however they can be too bright for some listeners.
The HIFIMAN EditionXS could be a great choice for anyone looking for a planar open-backed magnetic headphone that can be used in noisy environments, yet doesn't require any power. The low impedance (18O) makes it easy to drive using almost any DAC or headphone amplifier, but you'll likely have the best results using an audio interface with integrated headphone amp. They're not the most compact headphones, and can be quite heavy to carry around, however they do come with a padded bag for travel. These headphones are a bit more expensive than other options however they're worth the price because of their features and the quality.
4. Audeze LCD-5
The Audeze LCD-5 planar magnetic headphones are the latest flagship model from the company. The design is completely new and features a brand new driver and magnetic structure. This is a significant improvement to their previous headphone model and places the LCD-5 at the top of the market for personal audio. The LCD-5's drivers consist of ultra-thin Nano-Scale Diaphragms that are paired with Parallel Uniforce voice coils and Fazor Waveguides. These new features work together to control the diaphragm's motion and deliver a high resolution.
Additionally the earpads of the LCD-5 are made to fit a greater range of head sizes. The LCD-5s are more comfortable than previous models because the pads are made from more flexible materials, and the headband is also lighter and smaller. The headphones clamp slightly more than other Audeze models, and may be too tight for some users, but they will get more comfortable with time.
Audeze's LCD series has long been a benchmark in the performance of planar magnetic headphones. The LCD-2 was the first high-fidelity headphone to be released, followed by LCD-3 and LCD-4. The LCD-5 continues the trend by providing improvements to all aspects of the headphones' sound quality and design.
The LCD-5 has more refined sound and a less sloppy presentation than the LCD-2. This is due to the increased emphasis on mid-range clarity, microdetail retrieval and precise surgical treble. The LCD-5s are still able to provide an enormous dynamic range and a full-bodied bass. However, they aren't as punchy as the models like the Abyss A-1266 or Hifiman HE1000SE and will often require some EQ to sound their best.
Overall, the Audeze LCD-5 is an outstanding pair of headphones that have a stunning sound signature and a stunning quality of construction. They're not for everyone, but if you have the money and want an expensive headphone that can deliver a jaw-dropping listening experience take a look at the LCD-5. It's worth every penny.