1.     Don't be a dotard!
    Read these "rules" AND introduce
    yourself     before your first post
  2. A healthy approach to understanding measurements
    Being true to what the artists intended
  3. After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones
    (opinion / entertainment piece)
    Dismiss Notice
  4. $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+
    Dismiss Notice
IMPORTANT: New Members Read This Don't Be a Measurement Fascist Merv's Top 5 Headphones - 2023 Edition $1000 Challenge

Differences between types of headphone drivers

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by The Alchemist, Oct 23, 2015.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,189
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The SchiitR
    Home Page:
    I was reading up on the post on Shure KSE1500 Out of nowhere?! located here:

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/shure-kse1500-out-of-nowhere.320/

    And I was wondering what type of advantage an electrostatic headphone would have over say balanced Armature, dynamic drivers, ortho-dynamic drivers.

    I guess I am asking what makes an Electrostatic driver so special (and expensive) and is there really a benefit over other types of drivers?
     
    The Alchemist, Oct 23, 2015
    #1
  2. n3rdling

    n3rdling Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    929
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    n3rdling, Oct 23, 2015
    #2
  3. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    386
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Admudnson-Scott Antarctic Facility (Seattle WA)
    Home Page:
    Now we're just waiting for a planar in-ear.
     
    BioniclePhile, Oct 29, 2015
    #3
  4. Bagged Milk

    Bagged Milk Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    100
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Yamaha did it in the 80's... Too bad it, by most accounts, is meh. Not to mention it goes for a LOT of cash.
     
    Bagged Milk, Oct 29, 2015
    #4
  5. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,960
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Irvine CA
    IMO the price of electrostatic systems is high because they are not as mass produced as other technologies. They are probably not mass produced because the technology is not as practical as some other technologies. Is the sound superior? With the available offerings, some folks think so, some folks don't. I don't. It's competitive though.

    Given electrostatic transducers are not as widely spread, it is possible that it has not been as researched and fine tuned as other technologies. Similar tech in microphones may have been given more attention though.

    Where would I think electrostatic transducer research should go? cup design, transducer geometry design, voltage swing reduction with equivalent performance, resilience to humidity and other environmental factors, manufacturablity, and so forth.

    This is obviously just an opinion. I'm not a headphone manufacturer and only go by what I see.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2015
    ultrabike, Oct 29, 2015
    #5
  6. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    386
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Admudnson-Scott Antarctic Facility (Seattle WA)
    Home Page:
    Time to make a better one! :p
     
    BioniclePhile, Oct 29, 2015
    #6

Share This Page