# The 18 Best Planar Magnetic Headphones

> Flagship endgame statements and wallet-friendly gateways share the stage, from open-back giants to sealed contenders built by boutique makers and household names alike. Which one deserves the crown?

*By YPB Team · Published July 12, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-18-best-planar-magnetic-headphones*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **HiFiMan HE1000se** — score 1000/1000
   HiFiMan's nanometer-diaphragm flagship prized for its airy, detailed and spacious presentation.
2. **Audeze LCD-5** — score 744/1000
   Audeze's flagship open-back planar magnetic headphone, widely regarded as a reference-grade endgame set.
3. **Meze Elite** — score 710/1000
   A hand-assembled flagship with a Rinaro Isodynamic driver, prized for refinement and build.
4. **Meze Empyrean** — score 546/1000
   An isodynamic hybrid-array planar celebrated as much for its sculpted design as its sound.
5. **HiFiMan Sundara** — score 473/1000
   A mid-priced open-back planar renowned for punching far above its price in clarity and detail.
6. **Audeze LCD-X** — score 473/1000
   A reference planar with razor-sharp balance favored by both audiophiles and studio engineers.
7. **Audeze LCD-4** — score 473/1000
   Audeze's original ultra-flagship with double Fluxor magnets and a dense, authoritative signature.
8. **Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC** — score 387/1000
   A cost-no-object flagship planar famed for its vast soundstage and bass slam.
9. **Audeze LCD-2 Classic** — score 387/1000
   A beloved warm-sounding planar that made high-end Audeze tuning accessible at a reasonable price.
10. **Abyss Diana** — score 387/1000
   A compact, luxuriously built flagship planar known for detail, dynamics and comfort.
11. **Monoprice Monolith M1060** — score 387/1000
   A budget over-ear planar that brought large-driver planar sound to entry-level buyers.
12. **HiFiMan HE400se** — score 387/1000
   One of the cheapest entry points to planar magnetic sound, offering standout value under budget.
13. **HiFiMan HE-6** — score 284/1000
   A notoriously demanding classic planar legendary for its resolution when properly amplified.
14. **Audeze LCD-3** — score 284/1000
   A former Audeze flagship with a rich, full-bodied planar signature and wood earcups.
15. **HiFiMan Arya** — score 284/1000
   A former-flagship open-back planar celebrated as one of the best values in audiophile headphones.
16. **HiFiMan Ananda** — score 284/1000
   A comfortable open-back planar known for its neutral, detailed and easy-to-drive presentation.
17. **Dan Clark Audio Expanse** — score 158/1000
   A flagship open-back planar with Acoustic Metamaterial tuning and an expansive stage.
18. **Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire** — score 158/1000
   A genuinely high-end closed-back planar that delivers reference performance in a sealed design.

Tags: tech, headphones, audio, gadgets