Planar Magnetic Technology for Headphones

A few HiFi audio companies are reviving the planar magnetic technology. These companies produce headphones with planar drivers from the past that produce a a rich, full-bodied sound signature.

This paper examines the intrinsic characteristics of a planar magnetic device by studying the loss of winding conduction leakage inductance, and winding capacitance. In addition, a strategy for reducing the parasitic elements in these devices is suggested.

Low profile or low vertical height

In comparison to traditional wire-wound magnetics Planar magnetic technology has less profile and better efficiency. It also reduces leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance. This technique allows for a smaller core to be utilized, which reduces the cost of the device. Additionally, it does not require any clamping of the magnets. This makes it suitable for use in power electronics devices.

Planar magnetic technology has the benefit of being smaller and lighter than traditional headphones. It is also able to handle higher frequencies with no distortion. This is due to the flat diaphragm which is used in these devices, which is typically made of a thin layer and includes a conductor trace on it. This film can respond quickly to audio signals and can produce high sound pressure levels with ease.

https://www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/planar-magnetic-headphones produced by these devices is more pronounced and clear. This is why they are preferred by many audiophiles, especially those who want to listen to music at workplace or at home. It is crucial to remember that a planar magnetic driver requires a power amplifier and digital audio converter to work properly.

The resultant sound is more natural and precise than that of dynamic drivers. Planar magnetic drivers can also respond much more quickly to changes in the audio signal, which means they are ideal for listening to fast music.

Despite their benefits however, planar magnet drivers do have a few drawbacks. One of them is their price which is due to the massive amount of magnetic material that is required to run. Their size and weight could be a hindrance, especially when they are being used as portable devices.

Wide band gap (WBG) devices

Wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are a group of materials that exhibit higher electrical properties than standard silicon-based devices. They can withstand higher voltages and current density. They are therefore suitable for optoelectronics as well as power electronics applications. Wide band gap semiconductors, like gallium nitride or silicon carbide, can offer significant enhancements in performance and volume. They are also more eco sustainable than conventional silicon-based devices. These features make them appealing to satellite and aerospace manufacturers.

Planar magnetic drivers operate in the same way as dynamic drivers. An electrical conductor moves between two magnets that are fixed when audio signals pass through them. But instead of a coil bonded to a conical diaphragm, planar magnetic drivers use conductors in a flat array attached to, or embedded into a diaphragm made of film that can be made very thin. Conductors are a set of coils' that sit on the diaphragm and sit directly between two magnets. This creates the push/pull effect which causes the diaphragm to move.

This technology creates distortion-free music reproduction. It also has distinct sound that many people find pleasing. The driver is able to move uniformly and quickly due to the uniform distribution of magnetic force across the entire surface and absence of a coil behind the diaphragm. This results in a clear and accurate sound. The resulting sound is known as isodynamic, orthodynamic, or magnetically-incident.

However, due to their intricate design and higher price point headphones that use planar magnetic drivers are usually more expensive than those using other driver technologies. That said there are a variety of great, affordable alternatives such as the Rinko by Seeaudio and S12 Z12 by LETSHUOER that were recently released.

Power electronics

Planar magnetics can disperse heat more effectively than wire wound components. This allows them to handle greater power without excessive stress or audible strain. This makes them perfect for applications such as headphones. In addition to their higher efficiency, planar magnets also permit greater power density. The technology is especially suitable to applications such as rapid charging of electric vehicles, battery management and military systems.

Planar magnetic drivers operate in a different way than dynamic driver headphones. Dynamic driver headphones utilize a diaphragm that is suspended by a voice coil. A flat array of conductors is placed directly on the diaphragm, and when an electromagnetic signal runs through the array, it causes an interaction that pushes and pulls with the magnets on both sides of the diaphragm. This produces sound waves that move the diaphragm creating audio.

Planar magnetic devices are more efficient than conventional magnetics due to the fact that they have a greater surface-to-volume ratio. They are able to disperse heat more effectively and allow for higher switching frequencies while keeping their maximum temperature rating. They have lower thermal sensitivity when compared to wire-wound devices. This allows them to be utilized in smaller power electronics circuits.

To optimize a planar boost inductor, designers need to be aware of several aspects, such as core design, winding configuration, losses estimation, and thermal modeling. Ideal characteristics of an inductor include low winding capacitance, low leakage inductance, and easy integration into a PCB. It must also be able to handle high currents, and have a compact size.

In addition, the inductor must be compatible with a multilayer PCB that has a through-hole or SMD package. The copper thickness must also be sufficiently thin to avoid thermal coupling and limit the eddy-currents between conductors.

Flexible circuit-based planar winding based on flexible circuits

In planar magnetics, flex-circuit-based windings can be used to create an extremely efficient resonance. They utilize a single-patterned conductor layer on a flexible dielectric film. They can be constructed using a variety of metal foils. A common choice is copper foil, which has excellent electrical properties and is processed to enable termination features on both sides. The conductors in a flex-circuit are joined by thin lines that extend beyond the edges on the substrate. This gives the flexibility required for tape automated bonding. Single-sided flexes can be found in many different thicknesses and conductive finishes.

In a typical pair of headphones, a diaphragm will be sandwiched between two permanent magnets. These magnets oscillate in response to electric signals sent from your audio device. These magnetic fields create an audio wave that travels across the entire diaphragm's surface. This piston-like motion stops distortion and breaks.

Planar magnetic headphones can reproduce a wide range of frequencies, particularly at lower frequencies. The reason for this is that they have a bigger surface than conventional cone-type speakers, which allows them move more air. They also reproduce bass sound at an increased level of clarity and details.

Planar magnetic headphones can be costly to produce and require a powered amplifier as well as a DAC to function properly. Additionally, they are heavier and bulkier than conventional drivers, making them difficult to transport and to fit into smaller spaces. Additionally their low impedance needs lots of power to drive them which can quickly add up when you're listening to music at high volumes.

Stamped copper winding

Using stamped copper windings in planar magnetic technology could increase the window utilization rate and cut down on manufacturing costs. The technique works by placing grooves on the coil body that support a layer-accurate position of the windings. This technique helps to prevent coil deformations and improves tolerances. It also reduces the amount of scrap created during production and improves quality assurance. This type of planar coil is commonly employed in contactor coils as well as relay coils. It is also used in ignition coils as well as small transformers. It can also be used in devices that have a wire thickness of up to 0.05 millimeters. The stamping produces a uniform coil with an extremely high current density. It also ensures that the windings are perfectly positioned on the coil body.

Unlike traditional dynamic drivers, that use a conductor voicecoil behind the diaphragm to create sound waves, planar magnetic headphones have a range of flat conductors placed directly to the diaphragm. The conductors vibrate when electronic signals are applied. This causes the motion of pistons that produce sound. As a result, planar magnetic headphones provide superior sound quality than other types of audio drivers.

In addition to reducing weight and costs it also has the potential to increase the bandwidth of planar magnetic transducers. This is crucial since it allows them to operate in a wider frequency range. Furthermore, it lowers the power requirements of the driver.

This new technology does have some drawbacks. For instance, it could be challenging to create an ultra-thin diaphragm with a thin film that can handle the high temperatures required for this kind of technology. Manufacturers such as Wisdom Audio have overcome the challenge by developing a solution that is adhesive-free and is able to withstand temperatures as high as to 725 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows them to produce high-quality audio without sacrificing durability or longevity.