# Favorite Planar Magnetic Headphones under 2K **URL:** \ **Category:** General Headphone Discussion\ **Created:** [September 7, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406 "2021-09-07T18:30:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuasiSpecies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/quasispecies/32/17044_2.png) [@QuasiSpecies](https://forum.headphones.com/u/QuasiSpecies)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/1 "2021-09-07T18:30:24Z")
Seems like there is a lot of love for planars over 2k like the Rad-0, LCD-4, Susvara, etc. I’d love to hear the community’s opinions on planars with the following parameters: - **Less than 2k new** - Assume that you don’t need to worry about the headphone amp (or speaker amp) or DAC, just the headphones under close to ideal conditions (like not a 20k setup, but a good one). - Regardless of price-to-performance as a factor (as long as it’s under 2k). Just for fun, no wrong answers! ---
**Author:** ![elliot](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elliot/32/33029_2.png) [@elliot](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elliot)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/2 "2021-09-07T19:19:04Z")
I have used ZERO of these, though I am considering a similar question and will say that these are the three I would probably most closely look at with a $2k hard stop. - Arya - RAD-0 used - Thekk used ---
**Author:** ![chrisnyc75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/chrisnyc75/32/41282_2.png) [@chrisnyc75](https://forum.headphones.com/u/chrisnyc75)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/3 "2021-09-07T19:38:12Z")
I think Arya ($1600) is the best planar under $2k. The first material step up from Arya, depending on your preference, would be Rad-0, Empyrean, or HE1000se, all of which cost considerably more. In that respect I think Arya punches objectively well above its weight and represents great value. Alternatively, if you don’t like the Hifiman sound signature then the answer is probably LCD-X(C). ---
**Author:** ![John\_William](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/john_william/32/7284_2.png) [@John\_William](https://forum.headphones.com/u/John_William)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/4 "2021-09-07T21:46:23Z")
Sendy Audio Peacock. ---
**Author:** ![monochromios](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/monochromios/32/20221_2.png) [@monochromios](https://forum.headphones.com/u/monochromios)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/5 "2021-09-07T22:04:44Z")
Audeze LDC X or XC according to use and needs. If you can stand the weight and the need for some EQ/tube rolling I believe they are a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![QuasiSpecies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/quasispecies/32/17044_2.png) [@QuasiSpecies](https://forum.headphones.com/u/QuasiSpecies)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/6 "2021-09-07T22:15:37Z")
> [@John\_William](#): > > Sendy Audio Peacock Interesting! I don’t know much about Sendy Audio or the Peacock. Not many reviews out there. What do you like about them? ---
**Author:** ![John\_William](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/john_william/32/7284_2.png) [@John\_William](https://forum.headphones.com/u/John_William)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/7 "2021-09-07T23:34:49Z")
I wrote a full review on head-fi. Look for the reviewer, hifiearspeakers. Here’s the link: > **[Sendy Audio Peacock Planar Magnetic Wood Headphone - Reviews](https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sendy-audio-peacock-planar-magnetic-wood-headphone.25390/reviews#review-26734)** ---
**Author:** ![QuasiSpecies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/quasispecies/32/17044_2.png) [@QuasiSpecies](https://forum.headphones.com/u/QuasiSpecies)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/8 "2021-09-08T00:51:51Z")
This is a great review! Thanks for pointing it out, I don’t think I would have found it otherwise. I’d love to hear a headphone with such great soundstage. So you have it over the he6 now? How much do they weigh? Do you eq them? ---
**Author:** ![John\_William](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/john_william/32/7284_2.png) [@John\_William](https://forum.headphones.com/u/John_William)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/9 "2021-09-08T02:08:56Z")
They weigh 578 grams and are very comfortable. They use a similar headband system as ZMF. They’re 2nd tier comfortable to me. But not as comfortable as the 800/800S or Empyrean, but then what is? I do not use any EQ, because I prefer a smoother/less bright signature, and they have that in spades. You could certainly EQ up a few decibels in the upper mids and treble if you prefer more of a Hifiman and/or Focal signature. So the HE6 is the only Hifiman model I haven’t heard (not counting their e-stats). I’ve owned almost all of their other models from the 400i, 560, Sundara, Ananda, Edition X V1/V2, Arya, HEK V1/V2/SE, and Susvara. ---
**Author:** ![hottyson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hottyson/32/25048_2.png) [@hottyson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hottyson)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/10 "2021-09-08T05:02:08Z")
I have a spending limit of $1,200 on all of my headphone purchases. So, my favorite headphone under $1,200 is the Monoprice M1570. ---
**Author:** ![robo24](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/robo24/32/43687_2.png) [@robo24](https://forum.headphones.com/u/robo24)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 7:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/11 "2021-09-08T07:35:40Z")
I’ve only heard the few planars I’ve had, HE-4XX, Edition XX, Mobius, and got the Arya v2 a few months ago. The Arya is one of the few non-ZMFs that I plan to hold onto. For me they’re very comfortable, lightweight and are really so open I feel like there’s basically zero blocking of external noise which I like for a change from more cozy headphones. I do worry about there being problems but none after 4 months and I had no problems with my other HiFimans. I like them having an HD800-sized wide soundstage, which I actually sold once I got the Arya and took me about 30 seconds of listening to decide which one had to go. It seems every bit as detailed but just much more full sounding even aside from the greater bass quantity. ---
**Author:** ![bigshel99](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bigshel99/32/5807_2.png) [@bigshel99](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bigshel99)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/12 "2021-09-08T12:52:58Z")
LCD-3 for Jazz, R&B, and a few other genres HE6se for soundtracks, orchestral, and quite a few others. Especially if modded and powered well. LCD-X for a wide range of things. ---
**Author:** ![Alien2085](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Alien2085](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Alien2085)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/13 "2021-09-08T19:59:49Z")
LSA HP-1 at $1200. Bought them in early Aug and to me they sound better than HE6SE v2. ---
**Author:** ![Trigun74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@Trigun74](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Trigun74)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/14 "2021-09-10T09:22:28Z")
A lovely range of headphones from Audeze. Alas the weight of these headphones are a killer on the neck😔 ---
**Author:** ![monochromios](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/monochromios/32/20221_2.png) [@monochromios](https://forum.headphones.com/u/monochromios)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 9:56am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/15 "2021-09-10T09:56:08Z")
Everything has its negative point. I have a trained neck and I haven’t great problems with Audeze headphones but their weight is really important and it is something that stops many people from using them. ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/16 "2021-09-10T10:00:19Z")
For me it’s not Audeze’s weight on the neck but their side pressure on the jaw. Regardless of the sound, it’s hard to enjoy headphones when you experience constant pain when using them. ---
**Author:** ![QuasiSpecies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/quasispecies/32/17044_2.png) [@QuasiSpecies](https://forum.headphones.com/u/QuasiSpecies)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 2:52pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/17 "2021-09-10T14:52:58Z")
Yeah I’ve had headphone pain before on the jaw and it is the worst. I’ve found the Audeze LCD-2 to be heavy, but not uncomfortable, but I trained on the OG Eikon for a while before I ever got them 😂😂😂 ---
**Author:** ![mfadio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mfadio/32/32019_2.png) [@mfadio](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mfadio)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/18 "2021-09-10T14:56:12Z")
The Ananda did that to me. I’m told the Arya is better because the cups swivel, but I’d have to try it to believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Resolve](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/resolve/32/51647_2.png) [@Resolve](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Resolve)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/19 "2021-09-10T21:50:27Z")
For me it’s OG HE-6, then Arya, then LCD-X 2021, then HE6se V2. I could be forgetting something in there. ---
**Author:** ![QuasiSpecies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/quasispecies/32/17044_2.png) [@QuasiSpecies](https://forum.headphones.com/u/QuasiSpecies)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406/20 "2021-09-10T23:38:38Z")
Out of curiosity, have you tried the LCD-3? I’ve definitely heard good things about the OG HE6, but it seems like a difficult headphone to get ahold of. I’d love to try out the Arya as well. So many headphones, so little time and money 😂 [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/favorite-planar-magnetic-headphones-under-2k/14406.md?page=2)