What Is a Headphone Driver and What Types Are There?

Ever wonder what makes your favorite headphones sound so good?

You have likely heard terms like “dynamic” or “planar magnetic,” but it can be confusing.

Understanding the driver is the key to it all.

A headphone driver is the essential part inside your headphones that turns an electrical signal into sound.

Think of it as a tiny speaker for your ear.

It works by vibrating a thin membrane to create the sound waves you hear.

While all drivers have the same basic job, the way they do it creates very different results.

They are the most essential part of your headphone and are responsible for the sound you love.

Read on to learn more about headphone drivers and why they are so important.

Dynamic Drivers

Are you looking for powerful, punchy bass in your music?

Dynamic drivers are the most common type you will find, but their sound quality can vary greatly depending on their design and materials.

Dynamic drivers are the most common and least expensive type of driver.

They work using a magnet, a voice coil, and a stiff, cone-shaped diaphragm to create sound and are known for producing a great bass response.

Dynamic drivers, also called moving coil drivers, are found in most headphones on the market.

Their basic design has been around for nearly a century, but modern technology has made them much better.

They are popular because they are cost-effective to make and can cover the entire frequency range, which means they can produce all the sounds in your music.

How Dynamic Drivers Work

The way a dynamic driver works is based on a simple principle.

A fixed magnet, often a powerful neodymium magnet, creates a magnetic field.

Inside this field sits a voice coil, which is a small coil of copper wire.

When your music device sends an electrical signal, it passes through this voice coil.

This creates an electromagnetic force that causes the coil to quickly move back and forth.

The voice coil is attached to a diaphragm, which is a stiff, cone-shaped membrane.

As the coil moves, the diaphragm vibrates with it.

This vibration pushes the air around it, creating the pressure waves that your ears perceive as sound.

The large amount of air this diaphragm can move is what gives dynamic drivers their famously good bass response.

This makes them great for music genres like EDM and hip-hop.

Advantages and Disadvantages

While dynamic drivers are very popular, they have both strengths and weaknesses.

One of their biggest advantages is that they are relatively inexpensive to make, so they are found in both cheap and expensive headphones.

However, their performance can be a trade-off.

At very high volumes, the movement of the diaphragm can cause unwanted vibrations, leading to distortion or a loss of detail in the sound.

This happens because not all parts of the cone-shaped diaphragm move at the exact same time.

Good engineering and high-quality materials can help reduce these issues, but they often come at a higher price.

Planar Magnetic Drivers

Do you want clear, lifelike audio with almost no distortion?

Planar magnetic drivers deliver amazing accuracy, but they are often heavier and more expensive, and may need an amplifier to sound their best.

Planar magnetic drivers use a different design, with a very thin, flat diaphragm that has electrical conductors embedded in it.

This diaphragm is placed between two sets of magnets, which allows the entire surface to move evenly, producing clear, accurate sound with excellent bass and low distortion.

Planar magnetic headphones are a step up from dynamic drivers for many listeners, though they work on a similar principle of using magnetic fields.

Instead of a cone and voice coil, they use a large, flat diaphragm that is much thinner and lighter.

Some brands use their own names for this technology, such as “orthodynamic,” but the core concept is the same.

These drivers are usually found in over-ear, open-back headphones, and you can often spot them by the rectangular shape of the driver opening inside the ear cup.

How Planar Magnetic Drivers Work

The key difference in a planar magnetic driver is its diaphragm.

It’s a thin, film-like sheet with very thin wires, or conductors, spread across its surface in a pattern.

This entire diaphragm assembly is suspended between two arrays of magnets that are placed on both sides.

These magnets create a strong, uniform magnetic field.

When the electrical audio signal passes through the conductors on the diaphragm, it creates its own magnetic field that interacts with the field from the permanent magnets.

This interaction forces the entire diaphragm to move back and forth.

Because the force is applied evenly across the whole surface, the diaphragm moves in unison, like a flat plane.

This uniform movement is what minimizes distortion and creates a very accurate, detailed sound.

The large surface area of the diaphragm also allows it to move a lot of air, resulting in a deep and powerful bass response.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Planar magnetic drivers are known for their superior sound quality, especially in terms of clarity and detail.

They are great for genres like classical, jazz, and blues, where accurate reproduction of instruments and vocals is important.

The extremely low distortion is a major benefit, as it allows for a more lifelike listening experience.

However, this technology has downsides.

The need for multiple powerful magnets and a large diaphragm makes the headphones heavier and bulkier than typical dynamic models.

They are also more expensive to manufacture.

Furthermore, planar magnetic drivers are often less efficient, meaning they need more power to produce sound at a good volume.

While some can be used with a phone, they almost always perform much better when paired with a dedicated headphone amplifier to give them the extra power they need.

Electrostatic Drivers

Are you searching for the purest, most detailed sound possible?

Electrostatic drivers are nearly free of distortion, but their extremely high cost and need for special amplifiers make them a choice for serious audio enthusiasts only.

Electrostatic drivers operate on static electricity, not magnetism.

They use an ultra-thin, electrically charged diaphragm floating between two perforated metal plates.

The audio signal makes the plates attract and repel the diaphragm, creating exceptionally fast, detailed, and distortion-free sound.

Electrostatic drivers are the most uncommon and expensive of the three main types.

They work on a completely different principle from dynamic and planar magnetic drivers.

Instead of using electromagnetism, they use static electricity to generate sound, which is the same principle a condenser microphone uses to capture sound, but in reverse.

This technology is reserved for high-end headphones designed for audiophiles seeking the highest level of accuracy.

How Electrostatic Drivers Work

At the heart of an electrostatic driver is a nearly weightless, very thin diaphragm or film.

This diaphragm is given a static electrical charge and is suspended between two metal plates called stators.

These stators are perforated, meaning they have tiny holes to allow air to pass through.

When an audio signal is applied, it creates a fluctuating electrical field between the two plates.

This field interacts with the charged diaphragm, causing it to be pushed and pulled between the stators.

This rapid movement of the entire diaphragm vibrates the air, pushing it through the holes in the stators to produce sound waves.

Because the diaphragm is so light and has no other parts attached to it, it can respond incredibly quickly and accurately to the audio signal, which is why it produces such detailed sound.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of electrostatic drivers is their incredible sound quality.

They are known for providing a fast, transparent, and detailed sound that is almost completely free of the distortion found in other driver types.

This makes them ideal for listening to music where detail retrieval is key, such as acoustic, jazz, and classical genres.

They offer a wide frequency response and excellent treble extension.

However, the downsides are significant.

Electrostatic headphones are very expensive to manufacture.

More importantly, they cannot be plugged into a standard headphone jack.

They require a special, high-voltage amplifier, often called an “energizer,” to provide both the audio signal and the static charge for the diaphragm.

This adds to the overall cost and makes the entire setup bulky and not portable, limiting them to at-home listening sessions for dedicated enthusiasts.

Balanced Armature Drivers

Do you want great sound isolation and detail in a small package, perfect for listening on the go?

Balanced armature drivers are ideal for in-ear monitors, but they are often more expensive than their dynamic driver counterparts.

Balanced armature (BA) drivers are tiny drivers used mostly in in-ear monitors (IEMs) and hearing aids.

They work by sending an electrical current through a coil wrapped around an armature, which pivots between magnets to vibrate a small diaphragm and create sound.

Balanced armature, or BA, drivers are much smaller than dynamic or planar magnetic drivers.

Their tiny size makes them the perfect choice for devices that need to fit inside your ear canal, like in-ear monitors (IEMs) and modern hearing aids.

Unlike dynamic drivers that are designed to cover the full frequency spectrum, balanced armatures are often specialized to perform best within a specific frequency range.

How Balanced Armature Drivers Work

The mechanism of a balanced armature driver is quite clever.

It contains a small metal rod, the “armature,” that rests on a pivot between two magnets.

A coil of wire is wrapped around this armature.

In its resting state, the armature is perfectly “balanced” in the magnetic field, so there is no force acting on it.

When an audio signal is sent through the coil, the resulting magnetic force causes the armature to pivot back and forth.

This movement is transferred to a connected diaphragm, which then vibrates to produce sound waves.

Because these components are so small and light, BA drivers are very efficient and can reproduce fine details in music, especially in the mid and high frequencies.

Multiple Drivers and Sound Quality

One of the biggest advantages of the small size of BA drivers is that manufacturers can fit multiple drivers into a single earpiece.

This is a common practice in high-end IEMs.

In a multi-driver setup, the audio signal is split by a crossover circuit, and different frequencies are sent to different drivers.

For instance, one driver might be dedicated to handling bass frequencies, while one or more others handle the midrange and treble.

By delegating frequency ranges to specialized drivers, these headphones can produce a much more accurate and detailed sound across a wider range than a single driver might be able to.

This approach allows for excellent vocal clarity, instrument separation, and crisp treble response.

While a single dynamic driver can also produce great sound, the multi-driver BA approach is often preferred for those seeking the highest level of detail in an in-ear headphone.

Other Driver Types

Newer technologies like bone conduction and MEMS drivers offer unique features for specific uses, but they often come with trade-offs in sound quality compared to more established types.

Beyond the most common types, other drivers exist for specialized purposes.

Bone conduction drivers vibrate your jawbone to transmit sound.

Piezoelectric, ribbon, and MEMS drivers use unique materials and working principles, often found in hybrid setups or specific high-end gear.

While dynamic, planar magnetic, and electrostatic drivers cover most of the headphone market, there are several other interesting technologies available.

These driver types are less common but offer unique benefits that make them suitable for particular situations or users.

They often push the boundaries of how we think about personal audio.

Bone Conduction Drivers

Bone conduction is a relatively new technology that works very differently from other headphones.

Instead of being worn in or over your ears, these headphones rest on your cheekbones, just in front of your ears.

They work by sending vibrations through your jaw and temporal bones directly to your inner ear (cochlea), completely bypassing the eardrum.

Their main advantage is situational awareness.

Because your ear canals are left open, you can hear your music while also hearing your surroundings clearly, which is great for outdoor activities like running or cycling.

However, this comes at a cost.

The sound quality is generally not as good as other driver types, and they can suffer from poor sound isolation and sound leakage.

Piezoelectric Drivers

Piezoelectric drivers operate using a unique property of certain crystal or ceramic materials.

When an electrical voltage is applied to these materials, they physically change shape, creating vibrations.

These vibrations are then used to move a diaphragm and produce sound.

Piezoelectric drivers are very sensitive and can be used to produce high frequencies.

However, they often require a lot of power to work properly and can produce lower-quality sound on their own.

For this reason, they are not typically used as the main driver in a headphone but are sometimes combined with other driver types in hybrid designs to act as a tweeter for high frequencies.

MEMS Drivers

MEMS, which stands for microelectromechanical systems, are a cutting-edge driver technology.

These are tiny, solid-state speakers that also use the piezoelectric effect but on a microscopic scale.

They consist of tiny cantilever structures that bend when a voltage is applied, moving a small piston to create sound.

The main advantage of MEMS drivers is their incredibly fast mechanical response—up to 150 times faster than traditional drivers.

This speed allows for a very flat frequency response, better phase, and lower distortion.

They are especially good at reproducing high frequencies and are very robust.

Currently, they are mostly used as tweeters in combination with a dynamic driver that handles the bass.

Does Driver Size Matter?

Do bigger drivers mean better sound?

Manufacturers often advertise large driver sizes, leading many to believe that size is the most important factor for sound quality.

But this is a common myth that can be misleading.

No, a bigger driver does not automatically mean better sound.

Driver size, which usually ranges from 20mm to 50mm, mainly determines how loud the headphones can get.

While a larger diaphragm may produce stronger bass, it can also struggle to reproduce high frequencies accurately.

It is easy to assume that bigger is better, and headphone marketing often reinforces this idea by prominently featuring driver diameter.

However, when it comes to sound quality, the size of the driver is far from the most important factor.

The truth is more nuanced, and understanding it can help you make a much more informed choice when buying headphones.

The Role of Driver Size

A driver’s size, measured in millimeters, does have an impact, but it is primarily related to loudness and bass response.

A larger diaphragm, which is the part of the driver that moves air, can displace more air with each movement.

This can lead to a more powerful and cleaner-sounding bass, which many listeners enjoy.

This is why headphones known for heavy bass sometimes feature larger drivers.

However, there is a trade-off.

A larger and heavier diaphragm may struggle to vibrate quickly enough to accurately reproduce higher frequencies.

This can result in less detail in the treble.

Conversely, a smaller driver might be quicker and more nimble with high notes but may not be able to produce the same deep, impactful bass.

So, while size affects the sound, it does not directly equal better overall quality.

What Really Determines Sound Quality?

If size is not the main factor, what is?

The overall sound of a pair of headphones is the result of many different elements working together.

The most important variables include:

• Driver Type: As this article has shown, whether a driver is dynamic, planar magnetic, or another type has a massive impact on the sound signature.
• Diaphragm Materials: The material used for the diaphragm is critical. Materials like beryllium, titanium, or magnesium are light yet stiff, allowing them to vibrate quickly without distorting. In general, a thinner and lighter diaphragm results in faster sound and lower distortion.
• Tuning: The way engineers tune the headphone’s frequency response is crucial. This involves making countless adjustments to achieve a specific sound profile, whether it is balanced, bass-heavy, or focused on clarity.
• Headphone Design: The physical construction of the headphone, such as whether it has an open-back or closed-back design, significantly changes the soundstage and isolation.
• Build Quality: Ultimately, the research, development, and quality of construction that a company invests in a headphone are among the largest factors influencing its final sound quality.

Conclusion

The type of driver is a key factor in how headphones sound, but it is only one part of the story.

The best way to choose is to try different types and trust your own ears.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best driver for bass?

Dynamic drivers are well-known for their great bass response because their design is good at moving a lot of air.

Planar magnetic drivers can also produce deep and excellent bass.

What is a driver diaphragm made of?

The diaphragm can be made from many different materials, which all affect the final sound.

Some common examples include paper, biocellulose, aluminum, titanium, and beryllium.

Why do my headphone drivers fail?

A failed driver will either sound very distorted or stop making sound completely.

This is usually caused by physical damage to the delicate diaphragm, for instance, if the headphones are dropped.

Can you have multiple drivers in one ear cup?

Yes, headphones can have multiple drivers, which is common in high-end in-ear monitors that use balanced armature drivers.

This allows each driver to focus on a specific frequency range for better accuracy.

What are hybrid drivers?

Hybrid drivers are headphones that use a combination of different driver types.

For example, a headphone might use a dynamic driver for bass and a balanced armature driver for highs to get the best of both worlds.

Do noise-cancelling headphones use special drivers?

Noise-cancelling headphones use the same types of drivers, like dynamic drivers, that regular headphones use.

The noise cancellation is a separate electronic technology and not a function of the driver itself.