Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

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

The robust construction and the high-end finish give an exquisite feel, yet they are still comfortable and light compared to many planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included, Headphones planar one of which is made from soft leather and the second from made of latex and topped with fleece that allows for personal tailoring for preferred comfort and acoustic characteristics.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency, and a vast soundstage. They are ideal for home, studio audio, DJ work, and mobile use. They feature a lightweight diaphragm that is positioned between two magnets that gives a smooth frequency response without any phase shifts. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound with accurate vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, deep bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble has a clear and inviting sound, while the mid-range is well-defined and clear.

The soundstage is larger than the other headphones in the same price range. The earpads and headbands are made of a leather surface with a soft, comfortable feel. Its minimalist design is matched by its high-performance sound. The cable has the standard TRS connector that is detachable, which makes it simple to swap it out if you require to. It also comes with a carrying case made of hardshell and an additional pair of earpads for different sound styles.

The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light, but they are lighter than other high-end headphone models with similar performance. They're also very efficient and require little power to drive. The ear pads are also extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for long periods with no discomfort.

The ERA-1s are competing against Headphones planar (www.Mindfarm.co.kr) from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by premium, moderately priced planar-magnetic models. But standing out in this crowded market requires more than having a great name and a low price tag. I was listening to a track from Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. Their songs include a variety of instruments that include electric guitars, bass, flute and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the tracks with amazing clarity and precision even at high volume.

ERA-2

The first headphones from Quad were hailed as a tech breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the awe-inspiring qualities of Quad's legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide and transparent headphone that has deep bass, soft articulate mids, crystal clear, highs and a wide intimate soundstage that isn't restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a headphone with better transparency, proper tonal balance and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with musicians.

The ear cups are constructed of a light and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. The patented nonlinear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically matched with very tight tolerances. This results in a superb transient response, and high detail resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to use aftermarket cables.

These headphones can be powered either through the output of the majority of portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amp. This allows them to deliver an even more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's magnetic drivers are planar. also have lower stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones with a larger diaphragm.

I played a variety of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding clarity and imaging, which was particularly evident in an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly separated in space. It was less flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this way it has a more natural and full-bodied presentation. Both can track the shape of notes with incredible precision however the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It's also lighter in sound and thus more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

The majority of headphones priced under $1000 have a an sonic sound that sounds too cloistered and boxed-in. The ERA-1 has the openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar-style design. The headphone's weight is light and low clamping force makes it comfortable for long listening sessions. Our listeners included SoundStage! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and a regular contributor for Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.

Unlike electrostatic headphones, which need a separate headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms, planars utilize a diaphragm with a very thin profile that is set between two magnets. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, reducing intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

Another advantage of planars is their ability to be driven by the portable digital audio player with an appropriately sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used this method, however to realize the full potential of these headphones, you'll require a top headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 provides a large soundstage, exceptional clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a fast response that makes it easy to follow the strings in complicated arrangements. I tried the track "Mining for Gold," from the Cowboy Junkies album The Trinity Session (16/44.1 FLAC, RCA), and discovered that the notes for the string were well separated and extremely well-defined.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers more precise image and better separation of instruments. It is a little more comfortable than the Amiron however, it still offers great detail and excellent black background. I then played the jazz improv portion of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to see how well the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist flute, saxophone, and flute. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. Its remarkable phase coherency and clarity were evident as was the bass, which had both depth and tightness.

ERA-4

After a long absence from the market for headphones, Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones are built on the company’s legacy of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm and is surrounded by drivers that are tuned to exact tolerances. This lets the entire diaphragm including the earpieces, be vibrating simultaneously. This improves phase coherency and the reconstruction of the peaks of signal. Its light and comfortable design means that you can wear it for lengthy listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a great choice for those who love music and want a an open, detailed soundstage with superb imaging. It is easier to drive than many planar headphone headphones and works with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes it suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, which makes them more comfortable for extended listening sessions. The soundstage is wide, and its high-frequency response is excellent in its transient response. Its midrange and bass are both precise and natural.

The ERA-1 has the same drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal sound quality in both ears. This is a feature that is essential for those who enjoy listening to music in a group, or share it with others. The open-backed design of ERA-1 gives excellent sound isolation and reduces bleed from external sources.

If you're looking for a headphone which will give you the best sound quality, then consider the ERA-1 by Quad. The low-profile design makes it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, a spare set of headphones and a bag for carrying. It is an excellent choice for travel. The ERA-1 also has a detachable cable that can be replaced by a custom-made one.

If you compare it to other headphones when compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. The open-backed design provides a wide soundstage, excellent imaging, and a neutral and clear sound that is ideal for all genres of music. Its clear and detailed vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from various online stores at an affordable cost.