HarmonicDyne G200 Review: The Planar Headphone That (Almost) Nails It All!

Looking for a high-quality planar magnetic headphone? Check out our review of the HarmonicDyne G200, which delivers exceptional sound quality and comfort.

The $699 HarmonicDyne G200 is a high-performance planar driver headphone designed for headphone enthusiasts who demand the best sound quality. The G200 features a custom 102mm nanocomposite planar diaphragm that delivers exceptional clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. The result is an immersive listening experience unmatched by other headphones in its class.

HarmonicDyne G200 Review: Features/Build

One of the standout features of the G200 is its comfort. This is partially facilitated by one set each of high-quality lambskin and soft flannel earpads. Both sets of earpads are incredibly comfortable and provide a lot of cushioning. They are also removable and replaceable to maintain the same comfort level (and sound) over time.

The design has some attention to detail, from the sturdy metal/carbon fiber frame to the liberal use of aluminum in both the yokes and earcups. Due to all the metal utilized, the G200 is a touch on the heavy side at 480g, but it’s manageable, mainly due to the sliding suspension strap. The result is a headphone that not only sounds good but also feels great to wear.

The ergonomic design of the G200 is good as well. The headphones are designed to be comfortable to wear for extended periods, making them great for long listening sessions. In addition, the headband’s suspension strap offers a good range of adjustment in small increments (locking in with a click), and the earcups swivel almost infinitely, allowing you to find a good fit.

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Specs

• Drivers: Φ102mm Planar Transducer
• Acoustic architecture: Semi-open
• Input Impedance: 64Ω
• Frequency Response: 10-45,000Hz
• SPL: 100±3dB
• THD: ≤0.2%(@1000Hz/254mW)
• Cables: XLR/4 balance, L=2M, 6N Litz wire
• Ear-cup: Aluminum Alloy
• Headband: Carbon Fiber
• Earpad: Suede fabric / Lambskin
• Dimensions: 230mm*175mm*112mm
• Weight: Approx. 480g

What’s In The Box

Inside the Harmonicdyne G200’s box, you will find the headphone along with an XLR balanced cable, an XLR to 1/4″ adaptor, an XLR to 4.4mm adaptor, and a 4.4 to 3.5 adaptor to ensure compatibility with a variety of audio sources.

You also get a small felt storage bag to store your accessories in, plus a suitcase-style box lined with foam that provides protection during travel and storage. You also get the obligatory user manual and warranty paperwork.

A specially designed Litz cable made from a braided combination of single-crystal copper and silver-plated single-crystal copper is included with the G200. It has nice heft and thickness, along with heavy-duty connectors. It also has excellent stress relief at all the terminations, both on the cable itself and the adaptors, most of which use the same braided cable.

I like that it comes with adapters that let you connect to any amp you have in the house, including XLR balanced. This is a trend that I see with a lot of over-ear headphones and IEMs, which I find to be a good value add.

HarmonicDyne G200 Review: Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, the G200 is really good. The tonal balance is quite agreeable for the most part, save in one area, which I’ll get to in a moment. I tested the headphones with the Hifiman EF400 DAC/Amp connected to my laptop, and I played music from the TIDAL desktop app. The G200 headphone was relatively easy to drive, requiring not much more than a quarter turn of the volume knob on low gain mode.

The custom planar driver with a 102mm nanocomposite planar diaphragm and double-sided magnet array delivers exceptional clarity and detail, especially on the top and bottom of the audio spectrum. The bass is tight, controlled, and quite punchy for a planar magnetic headphone. It’s well done.

Additionally, the top end is quite detailed and transparent without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing, which is a good thing since you get a lot of airiness without the hardness of some planar headphones that are over-boosted in this area.

This leads to the midrange, where I have a small bone to pick. First of all, It’s just a bit recessed, especially in the upper portion, which sometimes makes the vocals sound like they’re a little closed in. I notice it mostly with female vocals and horns, where it takes away a little of the breathiness I crave. On the other hand, it’s not as noticeable with male vocals or most instruments. Those elements retain a natural, crisp quality that sounds quite pleasing.

Overall, the G200 is a balanced performer that doesn’t overdo it in any one area. It has a highly resolving yet laid-back presentation that does justice to most genres, whether listening to lively hip-hop or a well-recorded jazz vocal arrangement. The dynamics are superb, providing immaculate rhythm and timing that keeps you engaged throughout a song.

The G200 also has decent soundstage and imaging, creating a sense of space and depth that is truly immersive. It’s more deep than wide, but at times, you can close your eyes and feel like you are right in the middle of the music.

All the previous descriptions come from listening with the pre-installed lambskin earpads on. A switch to the flannel pads provides a flatter sound with a more prominent upper mid-range and more subdued low-end, but I found the top end a bit too forward with these pads and quickly switched back to the lambskin version.

Vs. Hifiman Edition XS

Compared to the $499 Hifiman Edition XS, the Hifiman has a little more openness and presence throughout the midrange, which gives it more nuance and delicacy with things like horns and female vocals. Overall, it has a more mid-centric sound than the G200 with the lambskin earpads, which adds just a bit more emphasis in the sub-bass and top end.

That emphasis gives the G200 better bass dynamics and overall liveliness, which means it sounds better with modern genres like hip-hop and electronica. I prefer the XS for acoustic genres like Jazz, but the G200, which is a bit more technical, sounds decent in that regard as well.

HarmonicDyne G200 Review: Conclusion

Overall, the HarmonicDyne G200 is a quality headphone that is perfect for music enthusiasts who demand good balance, verve, and technicality in their headphones. It has a lively yet laid-back sound that can do justice to any track in your library. I think they would be just about perfect if they had just a little more presence in the upper mids, but as they are, they are quite engaging and fun to listen to.

At the end of the day, the combination of the custom planar driver, high-quality materials, and ergonomic design make for a remarkable (and comfortable) listening experience. So whether you are listening to your favorite album or watching a movie, the G200 will transport you into the heart of the action.

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