Planar magnetics with the least sound leakage

[davmol]

I picked up some HiFiMan Ananda recently and love them. Problem is I work from home and my wife does as well and although we are in different rooms, she says can hear the music from them (she when I'm listening, typically at about 75-80db levels. I also have Beyer DT1990 Pro and Sennheiser HD6XX and she can hear neither of them from her room when I'm listening at the same levels (and louder) but the Anandas do seem to leak a lot more than those non planar headphones.

So my question is does anyone have recommendations of planar magnetics that do not leak noise to the extent that the Anandas (or HifiMan in general?) leak? I'm not saying no audio leakage, just I have no context as to whether this is normal across all planars, of if Hifiman is particularly bad, so anything comparable to the DT1990 or HD6XX would be fine (if they exist). Thanks!

 

[WickedInsignia]

To my knowledge planar magnetics move more air outwards due to the fact their drivers are large magnetic sheets that move bidirectionally. The Ananda's diaphram will be at least double the size of those found in the dynamic driver cans you listed. More sound leakage is generally understood to be an inherent trait of planar magnetics.
The Ananda is said to be a noticeably open set, as are all HiFiMan sets of that grill design. You can get some open models with less leakage depending on the design though. My Audeze LCD-1 lets less of the outside world in than my HD600, and I assume that will also result in less sound leakage than other planars. I couldn't list any models that would compete with the Ananda and that I know would leak less though. Maybe the Sundara?

Is there any reason you want another planar magnetic specifically? If the goal is to replace the Ananda with a less leaky Ananda, I'm not sure you will find much luck even with EQ. The 6xx is a great set, as are many of the dynamic Sennheisers in the 6xx series along with the 560S and the 490 Pro. Rather than comprimise with a potentially less enjoyable or more expensive headphone that leaks slightly less, it might be worth tracking down a good dynamic instead (or simply using the one you have) and relegating the planar to other duties.
Alternatively you could turn your music down a little and save your hearing (and your wife's sanity). 80db over extended work periods is quite loud for me personally, although I wouldn't want to discourage you from your enjoyment!

 

[Curupira]

The DCA Aeon Closed X or Aeon RT (they are the same) are closed ear planares that have a nice tuning and sit at around the same price of the Ananda, but they differ a bit from the oval hifimans, which are brighter and don't have a bass shelf.

Another optional is the Stax S3, which is a BT planar headphone from edifier/stax that share the same tonal signature as the 6XX and a closer one to the Ananda:

 

[johny_2000]

Audeze LCD-XC?

The LCD-XC shares the same drivers as the LCD-X. Where the LCD-XC stands out is in its closed-back design which adds a heightened degree of isolation to the award-winning LCD-X formula. The LCD-XC are ideal for those looking for a top-of-the-line headphone with minimal sound leakage.

 

[sushi2020]

FYI

Headphones Table Tool

www.rtings.com

If you prefer open back, Audeze's headphones seem to leak less.
If closed back is acceptable, Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT/Closed X and Audeze Maxwell are the best choices.

 

[davmol]

Thanks, I'll take a look at all the models mentioned.

@WickedInsignia I was a bit underwhelmed with the 6XX (even after trying EQ), so I'll be selling them soon. I really like the Anandas so, at least for now, I'm making an assumption that maybe I will find planars more to my personal preference. For now I will have to turn it down a bit and then make a decision later

 

[staticV3]

So my question is does anyone have recommendations of planar magnetics that do not leak noise to the extent that the Anandas (or HifiMan in general?) leak?

See here: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/table/148955

 

[davmol]

The rtings list is interesting thanks. The Ananda is not rated (or rated zero) but it still shows the leakage to be 70.69dB at 1ft. By comparison, my DT1990 are 60.02 and the 6XX are 60.09dB leakage.

It looks like the lowest "dB leakage" wired planars will be the Audeze MM-100 (58.5dB), followed by the LCD-1 (63.74) / LCD-2 (64.02). I could probably punt for a new pair of MM-100 but the others I'll have to look used. I'm sure there are others with lower leakage that are not on the rtings list, like the closed back Dan Clarke Aeon mentioned earlier, but this is a great start. Thanks all.

 

[staticV3]

It looks like the lowest "dB leakage" wired planars will be the Audeze MM-100 (58.5dB), followed by the LCD-1 (63.74) / LCD-2 (64.02).

Closed-back Planars are not an option?

I'm thinking of the Aeon Closed X, for example.

 

[davmol]

I'm open to anything that sounds good, so thanks for another suggestion, they look really good. I have a bunch of stuff to sell and then I'll see what the piggy bank looks like in a few weeks.

 

[davmol]

So I decided to take a punt on the Hifiman Sundara closed back. They seem to get a lot of hate online in forums and reviews but they are now selling new on Amazon UK for £119, and it was hard to overlook them at that price, even if just to have a little fun!

Out of the box and before EQ I was expecting they might sound terrible, but they really weren't that bad to me, and certainly no worse than many noise cancelling units I've owned at double the price. Then I applied Oratory's EQ settings and was genuinely surprised how good they sound, with clean bass, clear vocals, no harshness up high, and no discernable distortion until I get up to "unpleasant" listening levels. They are comfortable to wear and have decent build quality with nice materials. Maybe all the negativity came at launch with the original MSRP and it has just stuck, because otherwise I don't get it? After EQ I think they're a genuine bargain at this price and I'll be keeping them.

So my compromise is to use the closed back Sundara when my wife is working at home and use my favourite Ananda when she is at the office (hybrid worker). I'll still be selling stuff and saving the pennies over the next year to try out the Dan Clarke closed backs, but only when I have saved up enough! Thanks everyone.

 

[WickedInsignia]

Love a happy ending! Congrats on solving the debacle and enjoy your new cans

 

[Ste_S]

So I decided to take a punt on the Hifiman Sundara closed back. They seem to get a lot of hate online in forums and reviews but they are now selling new on Amazon UK for £119, and it was hard to overlook them at that price, even if just to have a little fun!

Out of the box and before EQ I was expecting they might sound terrible, but they really weren't that bad to me, and certainly no worse than many noise cancelling units I've owned at double the price. Then I applied Oratory's EQ settings and was genuinely surprised how good they sound, with clean bass, clear vocals, no harshness up high, and no discernable distortion until I get up to "unpleasant" listening levels. They are comfortable to wear and have decent build quality with nice materials. Maybe all the negativity came at launch with the original MSRP and it has just stuck, because otherwise I don't get it? After EQ I think they're a genuine bargain at this price and I'll be keeping them.

So my compromise is to use the closed back Sundara when my wife is working at home and use my favourite Ananda when she is at the office (hybrid worker). I'll still be selling stuff and saving the pennies over the next year to try out the Dan Clarke closed backs, but only when I have saved up enough! Thanks everyone.

This is my experience with the Sundara closed back also; they’re pretty great at their current price.

 

[Hatto]

DCA Aeon Closed X and Audeze LCD-XC are both good choices. But let me provide you with an underrated option: Monolith M1070C (by Monoprice)

The comfort and feel is almost identical to LCD-XC (except the case and fancy CF cups). In fact it's hard to tell it's not an LCD-XC clone. Guys, c'mon look at this:

I actually like the non-proprietary connectors and headband on the Monolith even better than the Audeze.

I've had DCA Aeon Closed X (still do) and had listened to LCD-XC when I bought M1070C and I enjoy M1070C more than either, both in terms of sound signature and comfort. Mind you that this is my subjective opinion and one might argue that I'm biased since I bought them with no expectations and the price was so good to pass up ($159 on sale, brand new).

However, I still enjoy my music on these cans more than DCA Aeon Closed X and I'm no longer oozing on the LCD-XC. For anything under $400 I call it a win, for under $200 my joy is immeasurable.