Planar magnetic headphones use a thin, flat film instead of a cone, which gives them clean, full bass and very low distortion. These ten picks, mostly chosen from RTINGS' lab tests and all sold new on Amazon, run from an affordable first planar to Audeze's new flagship, with two closed-back Dan Clark Audio models and a wireless planar for gaming.
The best planar magnetic headphones are the Audeze LCD-X (~$1,199): a warm, accurate studio reference with excellent detail, though they're heavy and benefit from an amp.
For less, the HiFiMan Arya Stealth (~$599) offer a huge, open soundstage. For closed-back planar sound, get the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire (~$899) or E3 (~$2,179). The HiFiMan HE400se (~$109) are the best way to try planar sound on a budget.
Planar magnetic headphones use a thin, flat diaphragm driven by rows of magnets instead of a cone. Done well, that design delivers deep, clean bass, very low distortion, and fast, detailed sound, which is why so many high-end and studio headphones are planars. They're usually heavier than dynamic headphones, and many need more power to sound their best.
Our picks are mostly based on RTINGS' lab measurements of sound accuracy, stereo matching, distortion, and comfort, and every pick is sold new on Amazon. We left out the HiFiMan Edition XS, which is frequently returned on Amazon, and the Audeze LCD-S20, which is poorly rated there.
| Headphones | Design | Sound (RTINGS) | Needs an amp? | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audeze LCD-X | Open-back | Warm, flat mids | Recommended | Most people | ~$1,199 |
| HiFiMan Arya Stealth | Open-back | Bright, detailed | Yes | Value, detail | ~$599 |
| Audeze LCD-5s | Open-back | Not tested by RTINGS | Yes | Flagship | ~$4,500 |
| Dan Clark Audio E3 | Closed-back | Not tested by RTINGS | Yes | Isolation | ~$2,179 |
| Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire | Closed-back | Balanced, treble peaks | Yes | Closed-back value | ~$899 |
| Audeze MM-100 | Open-back | Flat, soft treble | No | Studio work | ~$400 |
| Audeze MM-500 | Open-back | Deliberately tuned, very low distortion | Recommended | Mixing, premium | ~$1,699 |
| FIIO FT1 Pro | Open-back | Flat | Recommended | Comfort, mid-range | ~$220 |
| HiFiMan HE400se | Open-back | Close to target, light deep bass | Recommended | Budget | ~$109 |
| Audeze Maxwell 2 | Closed-back wireless | Balanced | No | Gaming, wireless | ~$329 |
The planar to get if you want one pair for both serious listening and studio work. RTINGS measured great accuracy: a remarkably flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments true to life, amazingly well-matched left and right drivers, and remarkably low distortion. The warm tuning gives deep, controlled bass, and the subdued treble makes long sessions easy on the ears.
Worth knowing: at over 600 grams, they're heavy. RTINGS found their sense of space less expansive than some open-backs like the Sennheiser HD 800 S.
Check LCD-X price on Amazon Check LCD-X Music Creator Package Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Flagship-style planar sound for about half the LCD-X's price. The large drivers deliver a punchy low end, a well-balanced midrange, and crisp, detailed treble, so you hear every pluck of an acoustic guitar and every cymbal. HiFiMan's "Stealth" magnets are designed to reduce interference inside the driver for a cleaner sound.
Worth knowing: the slightly bright tuning can be a lot if you're sensitive to treble, and RTINGS found them heavy and a little less secure on the head than some rivals. For more open-back options, see our best open-back headphones.
Check Arya Stealth price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Audeze's flagship, updated for 2026. The LCD-5s add SLAM, a technology Audeze first used in its CRBN electrostatic headphones, which Audeze says delivers more powerful bass with lower distortion and a better soundstage. Audeze also revised the earpads and chassis for more comfort over long sessions, and early reviews are glowing, with one reviewer calling them the finest planar headphones they've heard.
Worth knowing: RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Audeze's specs and early reviews. At this price, audition them first if you can.
Check LCD-5s price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Closed-back planars that block outside noise without giving up planar detail. The E3 use Dan Clark Audio's fifth-generation planar driver and its Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, with Gorilla Glass covering the earcups, and Bloom Audio notes they cost about half as much as the company's flagship Stealth.
Worth knowing: RTINGS hasn't tested the E3, so this pick is based on Dan Clark Audio's specs and retailer listings. They're expensive, and at about 455 g they're not light.
Check E3 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.A more affordable way into closed-back planar sound. RTINGS found a balanced, Harman-style tuning that you can subtly change with the included tuning pads, a substantial low end, and decently matched drivers. They're built from titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber, with perforated synthetic protein leather earpads, and you can configure them with different cables and connectors.
Worth knowing: RTINGS measured sharp treble peaks that can add sibilance to vocals and cymbals, and the bass changes more than most with head size, long hair, or glasses.
Check AEON 2 Noire price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Designed with Grammy-winning engineer Manny Marroquin for long studio sessions, the MM-100 are the most practical planars here. RTINGS measured very good accuracy, with bass and mids that track its target closely and low distortion, so nothing is colored. The gel-filled earpads and ski-band headband keep them comfortable for hours, and they're easy enough to drive that a phone or laptop works without an amp.
Worth knowing: the treble is noticeably recessed compared with RTINGS' target, so they can sound a little less airy than brighter planars like the Arya.
Check MM-100 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The original Manny Marroquin collaboration and Audeze's professional flagship for mixing and mastering. RTINGS found the tuning deliberate rather than uncontrolled: a slight lift in the low treble keeps vocals and instruments detailed, while softened upper treble tames harsh sibilants. Stereo matching is very good and distortion is excellent, so the stereo image stays rock-steady. They're also lighter than the LCD-X.
Worth knowing: they're expensive, and RTINGS notes they perform better than their accuracy score suggests, because the tuning choices are intentional. A good headphone amp is recommended.
Check MM-500 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.FIIO is best known for its DACs and amps, and the FT1 Pro are its open-back planar headphones. RTINGS found them very comfortable, with breathable fabric earpads, and measured a frequency response that stays close to a flat sound signature, with a touch more bass than the popular Sennheiser HD 560S. They create a solid sense of space and depth in recordings.
Worth knowing: RTINGS measured a slight imbalance in the low treble that can pull sounds like shakers a bit to the right, and the sound is less consistent between people with different head shapes.
Check FT1 Pro price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The most affordable way into planar magnetic sound. RTINGS found the HE400se match its target curve well: they output a good amount of bass, the mids sound natural, and the top end is mostly balanced. HiFiMan's Stealth magnets are designed to lower distortion, and the open-back design gives an airy, spacious sound.
Worth knowing: like most open-backs, they roll off the deepest bass. HiFiMan quietly replaced the original braided cable with a thicker rubber one after reports of breakage, so build quality is the trade-off at this price.
Check HE400se price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Planar sound without the cable. These wireless gaming headphones use 90 mm planar drivers and a balanced tuning that stays close to RTINGS' target. The USB-C dongle has impressively low latency for gaming, Bluetooth handles your phone, and you can also plug in over USB-C or 3.5 mm. RTINGS rated the boom mic amazing, with remarkable noise handling, and measured about 77 hours of battery.
Worth knowing: they're heavy, which can get tiring in long sessions, and a little deep-bass roll-off takes some thump out of 808s.
Check Maxwell 2 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Most headphones use dynamic drivers: a small cone pushed back and forth by a single voice coil and magnet. A planar magnetic driver instead uses a very thin, flat film with a fine electrical trace printed across it, suspended between rows of magnets. Because the whole film is driven evenly, it moves as one piece.
Many do, but not all. The spec that matters most is sensitivity, not impedance. Planars usually have low impedance, often 13 to 32 ohms, which sounds easy to drive, but many also have low sensitivity, so they need a lot of current to play loudly with clean, controlled bass. A phone or laptop headphone jack can't supply that much, and underpowered planars sound quiet, thin, or loose in the bass.
Look for an amp that delivers plenty of current into low impedances and has a low output impedance; see our best headphone amps and DACs.