Are Magnets Bad For Headphones? (We Checked)

Ever wondered if magnets can affect your headphones?

As headphones have magnets, they attract metal objects that can damage your headphones, but magnets play an essential role in headphones, so it’s necessary to understand how they affect your headphones.

Are magnets bad for headphones?

Here’s What You Need to Know About Magnets and Headphones:

Magnets are an integral component of headphones. Small magnets help produce the sound that you hear. Larger magnets that have a stronger polarity can cause distortions and demagnetize headphones. This happens when the opposite polarity is placed near and directly facing the headphones’ magnets.

Check also: Do magnets affect microphones?

Do Headphones Have Magnets in Them? 

Headphones have magnets that help convert audio signals to sound waves so that the signal becomes a more audible source.

Not all headphones have magnets in them. Some use ceramic piezoelectric elements to convert the signal into an audible sound.

Piezoelectric is known for its high impedance and doesn’t have enough bass response. These components can be sensitive and can amplify low signals quickly.

What Kind of Magnets do Headphones Use?

Most of the top-notch headphones in the market use Neodymium magnets.

These magnets are among the most potent magnets used in audio transducers, including speakers, microphones, and headphones.

Neodymium magnets are a combination of Neodymium, iron, and boron. When combined, this alloy can produce strong magnetic fields while weighing less than other magnets.

They are coated with nickel or a durable layer of plastic to protect the magnets and prevent corrosion.

Aside from Neodymium, other magnets used for headphones’ drivers include ceramic, ferrite, and samarium cobalt.

Does The Kind of Magnet Matter in Headphones?

If there’s any difference between magnets in headphones, it’s often more on the strength of their magnetic force and durability.

Ceramic magnets don’t need coatings against corrosion, unlike Neodymium, but the former isn’t as strong. Samarium cobalt magnets are almost as powerful as Neodymium and have high heat resistance.

They can be more brittle than neodymium magnets.

If there’s anything that can affect the sound, it’s not the type of magnet used but rather the size of the magnet.

Thicker magnets tend to produce more bass, thus the need to use lighter magnets to ensure comfort.

Can Magnetized Objects Break Headphones?

Objects that get magnetized to your headphones can potentially damage your headphones.

Small sharp items, such as staple wires, can puncture the grilles on your headphones.

Aside from that, magnetized objects can also cause distortions to the sound coming from your headphones.

What are Planar Magnetic and Dynamic Driver Headphones?

When looking at the different kinds of magnets on headphones, you will likely encounter planar magnetic and dynamic drivers.

These two differ in performance and sound quality.

Planar magnetic headphones have a flat diaphragm and a conductor that allows them to respond to the magnetic field of the magnets of the headphones.

Thanks to their thin magnets, these headphones tend to have good bass coverage without the added punch in any of the frequencies.

It’s also worth noting that these headphones don’t distort as much.

Meanwhile, dynamic drivers use the more common dome diaphragm connected to a voice coil. The voice coil has charged magnet behind it to make it move.

Dynamic driver headphones have better frequency coverage, especially on the bass side, regarding sound quality. They tend to have more punch but are not as clear as planar magnetic headphones.

Between the two, dynamic drivers are more common in the market.

Are Magnetic Headphones Better?

It depends on what you’re after in headphones.

Piezoelectric headphones, which don’t use the typical magnet, are a good option for anyone who wants to increase volume without relying on an external headphone amp.

Dynamic drivers are more common and accessible. These headphones are also easier to produce and use durable neodymium magnets.

Do The Magnets Interfere With the Sound?

Magnets can make or break your sound.

Thicker magnets can add more bass to your headphones, but external magnets that are put within the proximity of the headphones can cause distortions.

That’s why earbuds that have magnets that stick the buds in place when not in use have a non-magnetic layer to prevent any interference.

Magnets can also interfere with your sound when put near your headphones.

If you put magnets with a strong magnetic force near your headphones, the sound may distort or even demagnetize the drivers of your headphones.

Can Strong Magnets Break Headphones or Earbuds?

Magnets with strong magnetic fields can destroy your headphones.

These magnets can distort the sound on your headphones, which can be a problem to fix later on.

Can You Fix the Magnets in Your Headphones?

You can fix the magnets in your headphones, although not all headphones may benefit from it.

Sometimes, fixing these magnets may cost as much as the actual headphones. Likewise, some headphone models would require breaking the headphone shell to reach the magnets.

One challenge you can expect in fixing headphones would be finding the right magnet size to match the headphones.

At the same time, there’s also a chance that you may not get the same sound quality with the replacement magnets.

Should you Replace/fix the Magnets on your Headphones?

If you can get an exact copy of these magnets, and it won’t be a problem to take apart your headphones, then go for it.

If you don’t want to risk changing sound quality, or the headphones can be hard to reassemble after repair, it will not be worth the trouble.

Can You Use any Magnet for Headphones?

Not all magnets are suitable for headphones. The most common magnets used for headphones are cheaper neodymium magnets and can be durable. If you want to be sure, go for neodymium magnets.

Why Are Neodymium Magnets the Most Used for Headphones?

For many reasons, neodymium magnets are the most used magnet for headphones.

The benefits that NeodymiumNeodymium has surpasses what other magnet types offer.

First, they’re cheaper to manufacture. Electronic brands prefer neodymium magnets because they can increase profit margins.

The second reason would be they have stronger magnetic fields. Compared to ceramic, neodymium magnets can last longer and withstand possible demagnetization.

This magnetic field is made possible with the mixture of NeodymiumNeodymium, iron, and boron, which are rare-earth elements.

Neodymium magnets are also durable. Aside from being made of a combination of metals, these magnets are coated with nickel or plastic.

Another reason why neodymium magnets are the choice is the weight. They are powerful even when smaller, making them ideal for headphones and earbuds.

Lastly is the sound quality. Neodymium magnets have better sound definition than ferrite magnets, which preceded the former in speaker technology.

Neodymium magnets can make sound louder without using too much power. They can handle high sound pressure levels without breaking.

Do Magnets Affect the Wireless Connections of Headphones?

Magnets, in general, don’t affect wireless connections, such as your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

The metal used in interests can interfere with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

Final Thoughts:

Magnets are not bad for headphones since they are used to generate sound.

However, what is dangerous is putting strong magnets within the field of your headphones, which can potentially damage them.

Likewise, having unnecessary metal items near your headphones can destroy your headphones.

It would be best to be cautious about where you put your headphones to prevent damage.

Sources:

Why are magnets used in headphones?

What Are Planar Magnetic Headphones?