Headphone fanatics have been going gaga for planar magnetic headphones lately. Companies like Audeze have staked their claim with their own unique take on the planar magnetic style headphones. Today they have many models of planar magnetic headphones on the market and one of their most interesting is the Sine On-Ear portable headphones. But what makes this headphone so special. Let’ review the specs and sound to find out.

Audeze Sine On-Ear Headphone Review

In The Box

The Audeze Sine package is quite minimal but it’s really all you need. In the box you get the sleek Sine over-ear headphone, a 2.5m stereo cable and 3.5mm to 1/4″ adapter. You can also choose the Cipher cable option which adds a special 24bit cable with lightning plug for iPhone. This keeps your signal clean straight from the digital domain until it’s converted to analog sound. Pretty nifty.

Design

Durability
The Audeze Sine is a tough little headphone. The custom aluminum frame is a sturdy base for the rest of this well designed planar magnetic. From the floating headband to hard plastic earcups, the Sine is designed with strength and durability in mind.

Portability
The Sine On-Ear headphone is extremely portable. The streamline on-ear design makes this one of the world’s finest portable planar magnetic headphone for every day use.

Comfort
Audeze engineers every aspect of their headphones from sound to comfort. The Sine on-ear headphone is exceptionally comfortable. Their unique earpad design sits snugly on the ears for a fit that is a lot more ergonomic than most on-ear headphones.

Other Features
The Sine on-ear headphone comes in two versions. The first includes an audio cable with 3.5mm jack on the end. The other version comes with 2 different cables. One with the 3.5mm jack and the other with a Cipher cable which has the Apple Lightning connector for iPhones. This means you get a cleaner signal delivered directly to your headphone.

Sound

Sound Signature
Planar magnetic headphones are very unique in how they play frequencies. The result of this planar magnetic process is a more accurate and revealing sound signature. Compared to dynamic drivers, the planar magnetic process is a whole new world of sound. The Sine has a frequency range of 10Hz to 50kHz which is incredible for a headphone of this size.

Bass
All the frequencies translated via the planar magnetic driver process are incredibly accurate and the bass is no exception. Bass frequencies light up your ears in a true and accurate fashion. From boomy sub bass to punchy frequencies.

Mids
Mid range frequencies on the Sine are pristine and clear as you’ve ever heard.

Highs
As with the full frequency spectrum on the Audeze Sine the highs are stunningly accurate. The process of translating frequencies using the Audeze planar magnetic drivers will reveal the most high definition digital recordings as well as actual tape noise from older recorded albums.

Soundstage
As always it’s tough to get decent sound stage with a closed back headphone. You can definitely sense a bit of width in the stereo spectrum. Despite the lack of a large soundstage it’s still a thrilling listening experience.

Sound Pressure Level
According to the specifications the Audeze sine can handle up to 120dB and the most interesting thing about this and other planar magnetics I’ve tried it’s nearly impossible to distort the signal. The overall levels on the Audeze Sine headphone hit pleasantly hard.

Summary

The Audeze Sine headphone is one of the most affordable and portable planar magnetic headphones on the market. You get the quality associated with Audeze engineering in a small portable on-ear package that will blow away any other on ear headphone. Overall it’s an amazing sound that you can take with you. And the’res even an option to get the Cipher (Apple lightning) connection cable for an even cleaner sound.

The verdict is out. Audeze Sine is a model of the future of portable planar magnetic headphones.

Specifications

Style On-ear, closed-back
Transducer type Planar magnetic
Magnetic structure Single-sided Fluxor
Magnet type Neodymium
Diaphragm type Uniforce
Transducer size 80 x 70mm
Maximum power handling 6W
Maximum SPL >120dB
Frequency response 10Hz – 50kHz
Total harmonic distortion <1% full spectrum @ 100dB Impedance 20 ohms Optimal power requirement 500mW – 1W Weight 230g