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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones
The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money.
Our take Check price for HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar Headphones
A closed-back design that leaks less sound.
Best for: Buyers who want closed-back design that leaks less sound.
Our take Check price for HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones
The largest driver size here (100mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. | Getting Stealth Magnets for the least money. | Check price for HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| A closed-back design that leaks less sound. | Buyers who want closed-back design that leaks less sound. | Check price for HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed-Back Planar Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest driver size here (100mm). | Listeners who want the biggest drivers here. | Check price for ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
HIFIMAN HE400SE Planar Magnetic Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 way 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 microphon 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 way is a problem.
Why we like it
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. It also brings no charging or pairing needed.
Worth noting too: open-back for a wider soundstage. It makes the most sense for listeners who want the biggest drivers here, since it offers the largest driver size here (100mm). Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the HE400SE at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Sundara Closed-Back and the Fosi i5, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Fosi i5 brings to the table is a 97mm diaphragm, plus CNC metal and walnut construction.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
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. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ROG Kithara the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- 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. The ROG Kithara is the pick for driver size. No figure for the HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back.
Setup checks
Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.
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.
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 for the fullest feature set: the Fosi i5.
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 for the fullest feature set | 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" means the maker leaves that 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
The HE400SE was the lowest-priced pick and the Fosi i5 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| 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. The HE400SE and the Sundara Closed-Back don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the ROG Kithara the Largest Drivers?
It earns the label for the largest driver size here (100mm). It suits 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.
What should I check before buying the HE400SE?
Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. In this guide it ranks first of 4, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
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.
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.