Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $500 (Top 5)

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Audiophiles love the word planar magnetic, and that’s because it refers to the drivers of the headphones and impressive sound quality, and audiophiles are all into them. Still, you should know that planar magnetic headphones tend to be a bit pricey, which is why I am writing this article.

Here is a list of the best planar magnetic headphones under $500 that you can find on the market! Be prepared to see some actual professional headphones. Let’s start!

A Quick Look at My Favorite Planar Magnetic Headphone

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Overall
HIFIMAN SUNDARA

HIFIMAN SUNDARA

9.7
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Best Closed Back
Monolith M1060C

Monolith M1060C

10
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Best Gaming Headphones 
Audeze Mobius

Audeze Mobius

9
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Best Collaboration 
DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX

DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX

8.5
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The Most Comfortable
Monolith M1060

Monolith M1060

8.6
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Key Takeaways

  • Planar magnetic is the type of driver that headphones own, and the planar magnetic headphones are made with professionals and audiophiles in mind.
  • In case you are searching for planar magnetic headphones aimed at professional studios, let me present you with Monolith M1060 headphones.
  • HIFIMAN SUNDARA headphones are the perfect choice to make, especially if you love good sound quality under $500.
  • Planar magnetic headphones are the most worthy purchases that any sound lover can make because they are indeed amazing!

Top 5 Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $500

5. Monolith M1060C – Best Closed Back

Monolith is a great name, and there are some fantastic professional headphones. Based on that, Monolith is a name worth mentioning in every article that requires professional planar magnetic headphones.

On the design, these headphones have a fascinating look with a combination of colors. The comfort is what is unique and the main thing that makes them excellent. The earpads of these headphones are very large and include faux leather. Also, you may want to know that the headband is adjustable, flexible, and comfortable.

Regarding connectivity, these headphones work with a standard audio jack that offers compatibility with the devices you may use, of course, as long as they accept them. Yet again, if you want to use them with any amplifier, Monolith M1060C also comes with a TRS connector, and many amplifiers accept it.

Based on the frequency response and the sensitivity that these headphones have, you will have a pair of loud headphones that offer a great range of sound in your hands. Considering that they are closed-back, these headphones bring noise isolation so that you can stay entirely alone with your music.

Why Should You Buy It?

These headphones offer excellent noise isolation if you want to listen to your favorite music or one you just made. It is one of the reasons many people choose Monolith M1060C, along with the impressive comfort they provide.

Form FactorOver-Ear
TypeClosed-Back
Driver Size106mm
Frequency Response10Hz – 50kHz
Sensitivity120 dB
Impedance18 ohms
Weight3.91 pounds

Pros

  • Very Comfortable
  • Noise Isolating Earpads
  • Loud
  • Good Frequency Range

Cons

  • Bit Heavy

4. Audeze Mobius – Best for Audio 

The second pair of headphones that deserves a place in this article is the Audeze Mobius headphones, known mainly to gamers. Audeze is also a very professional; brand that deals with some of the most incredible planar magnetic headphones on a budget.

The earpads of these over-ear headphones include memory foam as the primary material, and they are breathable and just as comfortable. Once you put these headphones on your head, you will be thrilled not to take them out again, and that’s because they own a memory foam padded headband too.

The versatility of connections is one of the things that Audeze Mobius headphones are very proud of because they offer connectivity. The first one is via a USB; you have Bluetooth and analog cables for wired connectivity. Everything mentioned ensures these headphones are compatible with many different devices. Also, it is worth noting that Audeze Mobius headphones are the favorite headphones for gamers as they work with many gaming consoles.

The planar magnetic drivers of these headphones deliver perfect audio quality and not only! Audeze Mobius headphones bring 3D sound, which will fully surround you with music or whatever you will use the headphones.

Why Should You Buy It?

If you like to be fully surrounded by sound in all ways, you should definitely be introduced to the amazing Audeze Mobius headphones and check out how good the sound is and how great range they provide you.

Form FactorOver-Ear
TypeClosed-Back
Driver Size100mm
Frequency Response10Hz – 50kHz
Sensitivity120 dB
Impedance10 ohms
Weight2.05 pounds

Pros

  • Impressive Connectivity
  • 3D Audio
  • Microphone Included

Cons

  • No Isolation

3. DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX – Best for Most People

Have you ever seen a combination of headphones? If yes, you have heard about Drop + Hifiman; if not, this combination is truly the best. Drop + Hifiman HE5XX are headphones used by many professionals worldwide.

These headphones aren’t the prettiest ones you will find, but the leather they own makes them apparent. Something special is that they are durable and have impressive build quality. The construction, in general, is so good that they are known as headphones that last forever. By the way, they are comfortable as well as

The connector used to connect these headphones with your other devices is via a 3.5mm jack found in many new and old devices like phones, computers, laptops, and many others. However, you should always check whether your device owns the 3.5mm slot for acceptance.

Drop + Hifiman is a combination of two potent names regarding sound quality, and it offers an impressive frequency range regarding sound. Some of you may know that the best frequency range for headphones stands between 20Hz and 20kHz, and these headphones provide it in the best way possible, along with an astonishing SPL.

The bass is quite deep, but there is a little struggle when it comes to the mid frequencies of sound. However, that doesn’t stop the fact that these headphones’ sound is explicitly made for audiophiles because it comes out with great clarity. 

Why Should You Buy It?

If you are a bass head, there is nothing better than using the Drop + Hifiman HE5XX headphones. The planar magnetic drivers here will improve bass accuracy and provide a great overall sound.

Form FactorOver-Ear
TypeOpen-Back
Driver Sizenot specified
Frequency Response20Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity93.5 dB
Impedance18 ohms
Weight0.78 pounds

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Leather Included
  • Perfect Sound Quality

Cons

  • Complicated to Set Up
  • Mid Frequencies of Sound

2. Monolith M1060 – Best for Professionals

Above I said that Monolith is a name worth mentioning, and nothing ensures that fact more than having to mention Monolith as a brand twice! Here go the Monolith M1060 headphones, some of the best planar magnetic headphones under $500.

Monolith M1060 headphones also have pretty large earpads, but the important thing is that they are comfortable, and you can use them for many hours of producing music in your studio. They are also lightweight, which ensures this fact even more.

Like the first Monolith headphones of this article, the M1060 headphones also work wired, owning cables for compatibility with other devices, audio interfaces, and amplifiers too!

The perfect 106mm planar magnetic drivers in these headphones are in charge of bringing impressive and exceptional sound quality in general. There is an excellent range regarding bass accuracy, and it also achieves a high-frequency range in high frequencies. Everything that you will listen to with these headphones will be perfect!

The manufacturer of these headphones says they deliver a holographic sound, which comes from different and specific areas. These headphones provide you with a multidimensional sound.

tional closed-back headphones provide, these open-back headphones will provide a holographic listening experience.

Why Should You Buy It?

Professionalism has one name, and it is Monolith M1060 headphones. If you are a professional in the audio world, I would gladly advise you to choose and use these headphones, as their primary aim is to bring everything professionals need.

Form FactorOver-Ear
TypeOpen-Back
Driver Size106mm
Frequency Response10Hz – 50kHz
Sensitivity130 dB
Impedance50 ohms
Weight4.2 ounces

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Super-Professional
  • Good Connection
  • Great Holographic Sound

Cons

  • Not the Most Durable

1. HIFIMAN SUNDARA – Best Overall

Here we came to the last pair of headphones regarding the main topic of under $500, and there is no other name than Hifiman Sundara! These headphones are some of the greatest ones you can find, and considering their price; they are also super affordable.

I know that many people expect some old-looking headphones, but here, Hifiman Sundara tricks us by bringing good-looking and modern headphones that will attract most people. They are over-ear headphones that stay precisely in their place and provide superior comfort.

There are fantastic 3.5m connectors that make these headphones compatible with many devices that you may use. The connection is quite sturdy, and they never go out of it because once connected, they stay there. By the way, you can also use these headphones with amplifiers and audio interfaces, just like some of the headphones mentioned above. 

Hifiman Sundara is the headphones that sound perfectly! The frequency range of these headphones is one of the widest ones, as it starts from 6Hz and ends at 75kHz. Every music or anything else you will listen to with these headphones will come out genuinely detailed and with exceptional and crispy clarity.  

hese headphones offer, they have an astoundingly wide frequency range (6Hz to 75Khz), which provides an incredible spectrum of bass and treble.

Why Should You Buy It?

These headphones offer excellent noise isolation if you want to listen to your favorite music or one you just made. It is one of the reasons many people choose Monolith M1060C, along with the impressive comfort they provide.

Form FactorOver-Ear
TypeOpen-Back
Driver Sizenot specified
Frequency Response6Hz – 75kHz
Sensitivity94 dB
Impedance37 ohms
Weight13.1 ounces

Pros

  • Very Comfortable
  • Noise Isolating Earpads
  • Loud
  • Good Frequency Range

Cons

  • Bit Heavy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the planar magnetic refer to?

The words planar magnetic refer to the drivers that the headphones use. Planar magnetic headphones work with magnets that move within the headphones and make the sound waves go around. Planar magnetic is a type of driver in headphones.

Why do audiophiles use planar magnetic headphones?

Considering that they bring sound waves with the help of magnets, the planar magnetic headphones are way more professional than the others. They deliver exceptional sound quality, making them a favorite by audiophiles. In the end, it is the sound quality that matters.

Do planar magnetic headphones withstand everything?

Unfortunately, even though planar magnetic headphones are quite professional, they are not the most durable headphones that you can find. It is essential to care for them and not make them endure hard times. These headphones are known to be very fragile.

Can I use planar magnetic headphones for gaming?

Of course, you can! Nothing stops you from using good headphones while gaming! Just because these headphones bring a great sound quality, especially on 3D surround sound, you can use them while gaming and be aware of everything that happens in there.

Are planar magnetic headphones worth it?

Planar magnetic headphones are strictly pricey, but that shouldn’t stop you from purchasing them! These types of headphones are worth it in many ways. Once you use planar magnetic headphones, you can never go back.

What to have in mind when purchasing planar magnetic headphones?

There is nothing specific that you should consider, but when it comes to choosing headphones at a specific budget, like under $500, you may want to consider their prices. In general, you should consider everything that is important in headphones: frequency range, driver size, sound quality, and loudness.

Final Words

After everything is said, I would gladly say that here we come to the end of this relatively long article!

Always remember that planar magnetic headphones are some of the most incredible headphones that a sound lover can use, and they will bring out an impressive sound. You can be more than sure all the headphones I mentioned in this article will do the job precisely for anything that you may need them. Most importantly, they are all under $500, just as you are searching.

However, I hope that in this article, you have found everything you need, and I hope you will find the best planar magnetic headphones under $500!

Further Reading

Since I have written an article mostly about those who are on a budget, I will also suggest the best subwoofers under $200  or, you know what, I’ll suggest more articles dedicated mostly to those on a budget, best closed back headphones under $500 (Top 5 Picks) or the best open back headphones under $100.

Wait, I have more! Best Subwoofers Under $300 (2022 Buying Guide) or if you have a little bit more money, check the Best Subwoofers Under $500 (Top 5 Picks Reviewed)

Whether you’re looking for information on audio equipment, looking to learn more about how things work in the music field, or looking for reviews of products, we got you covered!

 
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