Avantone planar magnetic headphones specifications
The Planar II is a revised version of Avantone Pro’s reference-grade planar magnetic wired headphones. They were just released under the name “Planar II.” It has an open-back design, making it suitable for hi-fi listening as well as professional mixing, and it is now lighter, making it more comfortable to listen to for extended periods of time.
Recently, planar magnetic headphones have been gaining increasing popularity in the mainstream, due in large part to Audeze’s introduction of new versions specifically designed for gamers. However, for the most part, this technology is still considered to be exotic and out of reach for all except the most financially secure audiophiles.
Now, however, there are a few businesses, such as Avantone Pro, which is mostly recognized for the professional microphones and studio monitoring speakers that it manufactures, working to alter that. A couple of years ago, Avantone introduced the Planar, its first planar magnetic headphone for studio monitoring and hifi music listening. They have now improved it with the rather pompously named Planar the II (we’ll stick to calling it the Planar II), which they have just released.
The only improvements that can be seen are a new colorway and a weight decrease of 60 grams, thus this update can hardly be called significant. However, while having retained a significant portion of their original form, the headphones are worthy of a closer inspection for reasons other than the fact that they have an attractively vintage appearance.
According to Avantone, the open back design is adjusted ideally for eliminating pressure buildup and resonance common in closed back designs, and it results in a more balanced frequency response. The massive rectangular metal grills are for more than just show. The earpads are made of a fabric that is pleasant to use even during extended listening sessions.
Nevertheless, the one-of-a-kind driver technology is without a doubt the most interesting part of the display. Planar drivers employ two arrays of magnets to push and pull a thin, lightweight diaphragm that is hung between them. For those who are not familiar with this concept, planar drivers are a kind of transducer. Because the forces are delivered in a symmetrical pattern over the whole surface of the diaphragm, the result is a wide wavefront that has very little harmonic distortion and an incredibly quick reaction time.
Because it produces more accurate sound reproduction than conventional moving-coil dynamic drivers, this design is favored by audiophiles and is ideal for professional mixing as well as listening to high-fidelity audio. It also lends itself nicely to the usage of high-end audio, making it a suitable choice for high-end audio listening.
The Planar II has an impedance that is unexpectedly low at 32 ohms, and as a result, it can be powered by consumer-grade devices such as phones and laptops without the need for a headphone amplifier. This is in contrast to the majority of high-end headphones, which have impedances that are much higher. The cable that was provided may be inserted into either of the device’s ports, which is a really convenient feature.
The Planar II is offered in a choice of three colors: black, red, or cream, and it comes with a carrying case made of canvas. Although it may not seem like a bargain at $399, planar magnetic headphones generally cost well over $1,000. The price of these headphones is far lower than the average, though. The Planar II is an excellent purchase for anybody who want sound quality comparable to that of an audiophile but does not wish to empty their financial account in the process.
