RED Planar
About This Headphones
RED Planar — form factor over-ear, driver type Planar Magnetic, driver size 70 mm, impedance ohms 32, open closed back open.
- Form factor over-ear
- Driver type Planar Magnetic
- Driver size 70 mm
- Impedance ohms 32
- Open closed back open
The 30-Second Version
Superb reference sound in a tank-like build, but they weigh almost half a kilogram and feel like it. If you don't mix or master, skip the neck pain and get something comfortable.
Overview
Open-back planar magnetics for under $400? Yep, the Avantone Pro Planar headphones promise reference-grade accuracy that our sound testing puts in the 97th percentile, basically top-tier clarity and detail. But here's the one thing you need to know: they're heavy, clampy, and after an hour you'll be desperate for a break. These are studio tools, not daily drivers. If you can handle the weight and the open-back leak, the sound quality is up there with cans costing twice as much. If comfort matters, you're in for a bumpy ride.
Performance
What surprised us most? The planar drivers deliver speed and texture that flat-out embarrass many pricier models. Bass is tight and natural, mids are present but not forward, treble is extended without sizzle. You can hear reverb tails and mic placement decisions with ease. On the flip side, the 480g weight and mediocre pads land the Planar in the 2nd percentile for comfort, a real letdown for long sessions. You'll get a killer mix check, but your neck will remind you it's there.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible sound detail and soundstage 97th
- Solid, durable build 77th
- Accurate, flat tuning for mixing
- Great value at $399
Cons
- Heavy and fatigue-inducing comfort 2th
- No wireless, no ANC, no mic worth using 8th
- Leaks sound like a sieve, useless in shared spaces 16th
- That one $84,257 price listing is a joke 31th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic |
| Driver Size | 70 |
| Freq Min | 30 |
| Freq Max | 30000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Sensitivity | 104 |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
Value & Pricing
Prices range from $399 to a wildly absurd $84,257 across vendors, and we're pretty sure someone's cat walked on a keyboard for that second listing. At $399, this is a strong entry for studio-focused planar headphones. You're getting pro-level detail at a price that undercuts many competitors. Skip the scalper listing and you're golden. For home studio work, it's a solid buy.
vs Competition
You might see these next to wireless models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra in store categories, but that's like comparing a race car to a minivan. Those are ANC-toting, feature-packed commuters; the Planar is a wired, open-back mix tool. The real competition is other planar open-backs, like the HIFIMAN Sundara or the Audeze LCD-1. The Sundara is lighter and more comfortable, while the Planar tips the scale on pure detail and build heft. If you need a studio monitor on your head, the Planar makes a strong case.
| Spec | RED Planar | Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen | Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic | dynamic | Dynamic | dynamic | Dynamic | PEEK/Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm |
| Driver Size (mm) | 70 | 30 | 42 | 40 | - | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 48 | 60 | - | 32 | 34 |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | open | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RED Planar | 30.8 | 15.9 | 77.1 | 97 | 44.4 | 2.4 | 37.1 | 8 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 Compare | 97.6 | 91.4 | 92.1 | 95.2 | 72.6 | 79.7 | 99.7 | 93.5 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT Compare | 97.6 | 85.3 | 77.1 | 97.6 | 89.3 | 79.7 | 98.9 | 79.2 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 Compare | 97.6 | 99.4 | 95.8 | 99.3 | 72.6 | 51.1 | 97.5 | 98.8 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen Compare | 92.4 | 78.8 | 97.2 | 48.2 | 72.6 | 86.8 | 99.7 | 98.8 |
| Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 Compare | 92.4 | 98.4 | 77.1 | 96.9 | 83.9 | 51.1 | 93.1 | 98.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Do the Avantone Planar headphones need a dedicated amplifier?
They're 32 ohms with 104dB sensitivity, so a phone or laptop can drive them loud enough. But a good headphone amp brings out better dynamics and control. You'll want one for serious mixing.
Q: Are these good for listening to music on the go?
Absolutely not. They're open-back, so everyone around you hears your tunes, and they lack any portability features. They're strictly for desk use in a quiet room.
Q: How does the sound compare to other planar headphones?
Our testing puts them in the top percentile for sound quality, rivaling much pricier Audeze and HIFIMAN models. The detail retrieval is stunning; the bass is tight and natural. The trade-off is comfort.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for all-day comfort, wireless freedom, or any kind of noise isolation, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra instead. These are strictly for studio workhorses who can live with the weight.
Verdict
The Avantone Pro Planar headphones are a brilliant, flawed piece of kit. For sound, they're among the best we've tested, period. But that 480g weight and 2nd-percentile comfort score are dealbreakers for all-day wear. If you're a mix engineer who needs reference detail and doesn't mind frequent breaks, buy them. For everyone else, your neck will thank you if you look at lighter planar options.
