Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

Quad's first headphones are the direct result of the legendary ESL electrostatic loudspeakers which have been a part of British Hi-Fi for nearly 30 years. The ERA-1 provide high efficiency, low impedance and performance that mirrors their renowned ESL speakers.

The robust construction and high-end finish give them a luxurious feeling however, they're comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included - one of that is made of soft leather, and the other is made of latex, topped with fleece, giving a degree of personal tailoring for preferred comfort and acoustic properties.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with an extremely high level of clarity and soundstage expansion. They are suitable for studio, home audio and What is a planar headphone DJ work, as well as mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency with no any phase shifts. This is different from traditional dynamic cone drivers which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s produce a clear and open sound with precise vocals. They also have a deep, full bass that is not overpowering. The treble is clear and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads are made of leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is adorned with leather. Its design is elegant and simple and has a minimalist look that complements its high-quality audio. The cable can be detached and comes with the standard TRS plug. This makes it simple to change or replace it in the event of a need. The bundle comes with a durable carrying bag as well as an additional pair of earpads with different sound signatures.

The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones that have similar performance. They're also very efficient and require little power to run. The pads are also very soft texture, so you can wear them without discomfort for many hours.

The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily filled with moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. In a market that is crowded it is more than a quality brand name and What is a planar headphone a cheap tag to make a mark. I have listened to a track of Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with incredible clarity and accuracy even at high volume.

ERA-2

In the forefront of its time, the first Quad headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide, transparent, high-quality headphone that offers rich bass, soft articulate mids, clear, highs and a wide, intimate soundstage without being restricting. It's difficult to imagine a headset with greater transparency, a proper tonal balance, and the kind of believable separation between instruments that makes you think you're actually in the studio with musicians.

The ear cups are made of an incredibly lightweight and breathable material that provides comfort for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to block unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are also tuned acoustically to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in superb transient response and high resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to carry around. It also has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to connect cables from aftermarket.

These headphones can be powered either through the output of most portable digital audio players or via an external headphone amp. This gives them an immersive and natural listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic speakers magnetic driver has less stored power, which means it can reproduce low-frequency sounds better than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

I used different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb image and articulation. This was evident in the music with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. However it was less flesh-and-bone than the LCD-X in this respect, which has a fuller and more natural sound. Both are able to track the shapes of notes with incredible precision however, the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It also has a lighter sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

With the exception of the top planars, the majority of headphones priced under $1000 range have a sonic signature that sounds too confined and closed in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness you would expect from a best planar headphones design. The headphone is lightweight and has a low clamping force which makes it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins who is a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and saxophonist LeRena Major, a Los Angeles-based Major.

Unlike electrostatic headphones, which need an amplifier for the headphone to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms. Planars use an ultra-thin diaphragm set between two magnets. This means that all the parts of the diaphragm resonate equally and remove the intermodulation distortion caused by inductance which can give electrostatic drivers a edgy or bright sound.

Planars can also be driven by a portable audio player equipped with a driver sufficiently sensitive. The ERA-1 headphones are among several that can be used in this way. To get the most out of them, you'll require a good headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, superb clarity, and an exceptionally smooth and natural midrange. It also has quick response, making it easy to follow string notes in complex arrangements. I tried the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies album The Trinity Session (16/44.1 FLAC, RCA), and found the string notes had excellent separation and were exceptionally clear.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more accurate image and better separation of instruments. It is a little more relaxed than the Amiron however, it still offers amazing clarity and a stunning black background. I then played the jazz improv part of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to see how the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist, flute, and saxophone. This track requires a high dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. Its impressive phase coherency and detail were apparent as was the bass that had both depth and tightness.

ERA-4

After a lengthy absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones builds on the company's heritage of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin diaphragm that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are matched to close tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm including the earpieces to be vibrating simultaneously. This improves phase coherency and the reconstruction of the peaks of signal. Its lightweight and comfortable design means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music fans who want a rich and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It what is a planar headphone easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and is compatible with any mobile phone or portable audio player. Its low impedance quotient makes it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to make them more comfortable. The soundstage is large, and its high-frequency response is a great transient response. Its bass and midrange are precise and natural.

Contrary to other headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is the same on both sides of the headphone, which allows for the same audio quality across both ears. This feature is important for listeners who like to listen to music in a group, or share it with others. The open-backed design of ERA-1 provides excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleed from external sources.

If you're looking for a headphone which can provide you with the highest audio quality, you should consider the ERA-1 model from Quad. The design is low-profile, making it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, spare set of with earpads, and a carry bag. It's a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 also has an unattachable cable that can be replaced with a custom-made one.

When compared to other headphones when compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. Its open-back design provides an expansive soundstage and superb imaging. Its clear and neutral sound is ideal for any music genre. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 is available at a great price and can be purchased from many online retailers.