Recording March 2022 - 56

REVIEW
Avantone
Planar Reference Grade
Open Back Headphones
A fantastic mix tool with audiophile sound
REVIEW BY CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
H
eadquartered in Tallman, New York, creating an affordable
high-definition listening experience has been a main Avantone
Pro objective for over two decades. Its latest offering is the Planar
Reference Grade Open Back Headphones. Using planar magnetic
driver technology to provide natural, uncompromised high definition
audiophile sound, the Avantone Planar is designed to meet the demands
of pro mix engineers.
Planar Driver Technology
Avantone Pro is well known for using
modern production techniques and
technologies to facilitate the rebirth of
legendary studio monitors by way of
the CLA-10 and MixCube, along with
the reimagining and relaunch of the
Gauss brand with the unique Gauss 7
two-way powered reference monitor (reviewed
January 2022). Now, Avantone
Pro has focused its attention on planar
driver technology, which has actually
been around for decades. What makes
planar magnetic drivers stand out is that
they are flat in physical shape (as opposed
to typical dynamic dome-shaped
drivers) in order to facilitate high resolution
along with high SPL.
Magnetic
Planar drivers are constructed in a
precise array of evenly spaced mag56
RECORDING March 2022
nets that run across both sides of a
thin PET film diaphragm interlaced with
magnetically charged metal; front and
rear magnets apply equal force in both
directions. With far less weight applied
to the driver material, the result
is a much more natural sound with less
distortion, allowing for longer and less
fatiguing listening.
These are an open-back design offering
a clean transient response, warm
midrange, clean highs, and the openback
sonic signature-which of course
does not offer closed-back headphone
isolation.
Look and Comfort
Unboxing these mighty headphones, I
immediately felt like I was in for a unique
listening experience based solely on
their look and feel. The large headband
is fastened to square speaker earcups
with thick screws, and the tempered
metal creates a feeling of retro radio
broadcast technology combined with
a sleek industrial look. They weigh 1.1
lbs. Although this seems a bit heavy to
wear for a long stretch, as soon as you
put them on you'll find that they fit comfortably.
The felt-covered earpads allow
your ears to fit easily inside the cups,
and the internal components are evenly
distributed to achieve balance, allowing
you to just listen and focus.
What's in the box?
You are supplied with two types of
Techflex-covered connection cable: a
single 3.5mm cable that will connect to
either the right- or left-side cup (you can
choose which side you want the cable
on) and a 3.5mm 'Y' distribution cable
that allows two owners of Planar headphones
to share a single source and still
experience full stereo sound.
Sound
The Avantone Planar headphones offer
an airy, open, and very smooth sound
throughout the frequency spectrum.
Recording March 2022

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