A magnetic head includes a read sensor having a primary stack, a secondary stack and an exchange layer. The primary stack includes one or more primary pinned layers having a top surface, a barrier layer, a free layer, and a seed layer. The secondary stack includes one or more layers of antiferromagnetic (AFM) material, and a secondary pinned layer, which is pinned by said AFM material. The secondary pinned layer has a top surface which is substantially level with the top surface of the primary pinned layer. An exchange layer contacts the top surface of the secondary pinned layer and is pinned thereby, and also contacts the top surface of the primary pinned layer and acts to pin the primary pinned layers. The secondary stack is removed from the ABS, but is in proximity to the primary stack.