Buying Guide
The Best Planar Magnetic Headphones for Gaming
Four headsets compared, from the HE400SE to the Fosi i5, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Planar magnetic drivers give low distortion and detailed sound. Every pick uses planar drivers, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: driver size, connection and design come from each maker's published specs; a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic HeadphonesThe lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money.
Check price for HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar HeadphonesA closed-back design that leaks less sound.
Best for: Buyers who want closed-back design that leaks less sound.
Check price for HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming HeadphonesThe largest driver size here (100mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Check price for ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic HeadphonesThe top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm.
Best for: Spending more than the ROG Kithara costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones
The HE400SE stands out for Stealth Magnets, and it adds a full-size open-back design.
Best for
- Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if open-back leaks sound both ways rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Planar drivers cover nearly the whole diaphragm for low distortion, and HIFIMAN's Stealth Magnets reduce reflections. It is an affordable way into planar sound. Like the ROG Kithara and Fosi i5, it has an open-back planar magnetic design, while the Sundara Closed-Back uses a closed-back planar magnetic design.
It also comes with a lower price than HIFIMAN's Sundara. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Sundara Closed-Back was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the ROG Kithara, which comes in at 100mm.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired
- Design
- Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone
- None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Stealth Magnets
- Full-size open-back design
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- No published driver size
Also Consider2 of 4
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar Headphones
The Sundara Closed-Back is built around a closed-back design that leaks less sound, with beechwood ear cups on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want closed-back design that leaks less sound.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no built-in microphone is a problem.
Why we like it
This is the closed-back Sundara, which keeps sound in and outside noise out, unlike the open original. Its NEO supernano diaphragm is 80% thinner than common designs. Closed-back planars are rare, so it suits planar sound in a shared room where open-backs would leak.
You get a closed-back planar magnetic design here, which sets it apart from the ROG Kithara and its an open-back planar magnetic design. It also offers a detachable cable. When we checked, only the HE400SE cost less, and the ROG Kithara cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the ROG Kithara instead: it comes in at 100mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired
- Design
- Closed-back planar magnetic
- Microphone
- None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Closed-back design that leaks less sound
- Beechwood ear cups
- Detachable cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the HE400SE at the time of writing
Largest Drivers3 of 4
ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones
What the ROG Kithara brings to the table is 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG, plus a full-band MEMS boom microphone.
Best for
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when open-back leaks sound both ways is a problem.
Why we like it
The headband has eight adjustment levels with a metal frame and hinges, extra ear pads come in the box, and the mic covers 20Hz to 20kHz. Plugs include 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm and 6.3mm, plus a USB-C adapter. Like the HE400SE and Fosi i5, it has an open-back planar magnetic design, while the Sundara Closed-Back uses a closed-back planar magnetic design.
Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. Its price falls between the Sundara Closed-Back and the Fosi i5, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 100mm
- Connection
- Wired
- Design
- Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone
- On-cable MEMS boom mic
Pros
- 100mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- Costs more than the HE400SE at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
What the Fosi i5 brings to the table is a 97mm diaphragm, plus CNC metal and walnut construction.
Best for
- Spending more than the ROG Kithara costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
It also offers a 97mm driver size. Its 97mm planar diaphragm is 2 microns thin with a sputtered silver alloy coating. A memory-steel headband, multi-axis pivoting cups and silicone sliders handle the fit.
It shares an open-back planar magnetic design with the HE400SE and ROG Kithara; the Sundara Closed-Back goes with a closed-back planar magnetic design. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed.
Another plus: Open-back for a wider soundstage. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ROG Kithara the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 97mm
- Connection
- Wired
- Design
- Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone
- None
Pros
- 97mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- 97mm diaphragm
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the HE400SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Planar Magnetic Headphones for Gaming
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while driver size has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the HE400SE to the Fosi i5, state connection, design and microphone and share Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back give no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the HE400SE ($100 to $150) to the Fosi i5 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in Planar Magnetic Headphones for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size
Here driver size runs from 97mm on the Fosi i5 to 100mm on the ROG Kithara, a 3% spread. Start with the ROG Kithara if driver size decides it. The HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back give no driver size figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Sundara Closed-Back: beechwood ear cups. The ROG Kithara: a full-band MEMS boom microphone. The Fosi i5: CNC metal and walnut construction.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back; $250 to $500 buys the ROG Kithara; $500 to $1000 buys the Fosi i5 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money: the HE400SE. Listeners who want the biggest drivers here: the ROG Kithara. Spending more than the ROG Kithara costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Fosi i5.
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
How to Choose Planar Magnetic Headphones for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money | HE400SE | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want closed-back design that leaks less sound | Sundara Closed-Back | A closed-back design that leaks less sound |
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | ROG Kithara | The largest driver size here (100mm) |
| Spending more than the ROG Kithara costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Fosi i5 | The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ROG Kithara leads on driver size at 100mm, ahead of the Fosi i5 at 97mm. "Not listed" marks driver size where the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back leave the figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HE400SE | Not listed | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | None |
| Sundara Closed-Back | Not listed | Wired | Closed-back planar magnetic | None |
| ROG Kithara | 100mm | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | On-cable MEMS boom mic |
| Fosi i5 | 97mm | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the HE400SE, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Fosi i5 at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | HE400SE, Sundara Closed-Back |
| About $250 to $500 | ROG Kithara |
| About $500 to $1000 | Fosi i5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Fosi i5 compare with the ROG Kithara on driver size?
The ROG Kithara leads at 100mm, with the Fosi i5 at 97mm. No driver size figure is published for the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
What makes the ROG Kithara the Largest Drivers?
It carries the badge for the largest driver size here (100mm). The Fosi i5 is next on driver size at 97mm, so this pick's 100mm is 3% further out. The HE400SE, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Do the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back differ on design?
The HE400SE, the ROG Kithara and the Fosi i5 use open-back planar magnetic; the Sundara Closed-Back uses Closed-back planar magnetic.
Beyond the specs, what sets the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back apart?
The HE400SE: Stealth Magnets. The Sundara Closed-Back: a closed-back design that leaks less sound. The ROG Kithara: 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG.
Should I pick the HE400SE or the Fosi i5?
The HE400SE suits getting Stealth Magnets for the least money; the Fosi i5 suits spending more than the ROG Kithara costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the HE400SE, chosen for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. Look at the Sundara Closed-Back for a closed-back design that leaks less sound and the Fosi i5 for the top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm if those matter more to you.
Planars can need more power; a USB DAC or amp helps.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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