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What Are Headphone Drivers? Things You Need To Know

03 May 2023

Everyone loves headphones, and that’s obvious. But knowing which is the best headphones nowadays can be really difficult, especially if you don’t know much about the technology and features that come with them. Regardless of the features and technology, most people buy headphones based on their slick design and sound quality. 

Although that’s okay, do you know how your headphones manage to produce such a powerful sound for you? Do you know why different brands offer different sound quality? The answer is simple - Headphone Drivers. The headphone drivers are the powerhouse of your headphones. 

But do you know all about this feature? Check this guide to know all.

WHAT ARE HEADPHONE DRIVERS OR EARPHONE DRIVERS? 

The headphone driver is one of the essential features of a headphone as it helps in converting electrical signals into sound. In simple terms, the driver plays a crucial role in producing the sound you get from your headphones.

 

WHAT IS THE WORK OF HEADPHONE DRIVERS?

The work of a headphone driver is simple. It’s responsible for producing or generating the sound that you hear from the headphones.

This driver comprises three major components: the voice coils, the magnet, and the diaphragm. These three components work collaboratively to produce sound. Moreover, the driver is usually disc-shaped, and its size varies depending on its buildup and the required sound output.

They convert electrical signals into sound and act like miniature loudspeakers in your ears.

 

IS BIGGER ALWAYS BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVERS? 

It is generally believed that the sound quality is directly linked to the driver size. Some people even say that getting headphones with a bigger driver size is essential to benefit from better sound quality. However, that’s not always true! 

The bigger the driver, the larger its diaphragm will be, and consequently, the cleaner will be the bass. Also, you can find headphones with bigger driver sizes to have trouble while producing high-frequency sound.

But these are just the basics we truly understand bass in earphones and hence develop the most stunning products that produce the most amazing sound

 

DOES THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS MATTER 

Well, there are several headphones made up of more than one driver. And the reason is that a single driver has the capacity to produce sound only between 20Hz and 20Khz. Of course, this involves quite a few limitations. That’s what leads some brands to come up with earphones having multiple drivers. 

The use of multiple drivers needs filtering to set apart the various range of frequencies. This is important as it enables every driver to aim at a specific range. On the flip side, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a headphone made with multiple drivers will ensure better sound quality when compared to the use of a single driver.

TYPES OF DRIVERS

1. DYNAMIC DRIVERS 

Dynamic drivers are also popularly known as moving coil drivers. These are the most commonly found drivers that come at an affordable price. They create a movement to produce sound by following the laws of electromagnetism and magnetism.

You must choose headphones with dynamic drivers if you plan on listening to music and audio with a thick bass punch. They won’t consume much power, deliver good sound quality, and ensure decent bass.

2. PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVERS

You can find these types of drivers in most of the on-ear, in-ear, and open-back headphones. Like dynamic drivers, they also use the magnetic field. It uses a thin flat film called the diaphragm, which gets directly impacted by the magnetic field. This is what produces sound. 

To ensure the even vibration of the diaphragm, they utilize the power of additional magnets. It means the headphone weight will increase along with the need for more power consumption.

3. BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS 

These extremely small-sized drivers are primarily used in in-ear headphones. Their small and compact size is the reason why manufacturers use multiple drivers in both earpieces. 

They are highly effective in noise cancellation and ensure a detailed and better-listening experience. However, they may not produce a good bass response like other drivers.

4. ELECTROSTATIC DRIVERS 

These are extremely expensive and can be barely found in any open-back headphones. They leverage the power of static electricity to create sound. They produce exceptional quality of sound, which will undoubtedly blow your mind.

5. MAGNETOSTRICTION DRIVERS

Being newly introduced to the market, these drivers do not work like any other headphone driver. You’ll be amazed to know that they vibrate the bones in your face to let you enjoy the music. Once you press it against your bones in the face, the sound will pass through your inner ear via vibrations.

CLOSING THOUGHTS 

Well, we hope that was informative yet interesting, right? So, the next time you decide to buy a headphone, check about the headphone drivers. 

Also, you can amaze anyone with these smart insights on headphone drivers and help them make a smart choice! 

 

Check out our other blogs:

What is Noise Cancellation in Earphones?

What Is Bass in Earphones?

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