Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

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

Robust construction and high-end finish give a luxurious feel though they remain comfortable and lightweight compared to many planar designs. Two types of earpads are included with one made of soft leather and another made of latex and fleece. This lets you have a more customized fit and better acoustic performance.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high level of transparency and a large soundstage. They are perfect for home and studio audio, DJ work and mobile use. They have a very lightweight diaphragm set between two magnets, which provides an even frequency response, without phase irregularities. This is in contrast to conventional dynamic cone speakers which have an uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound that has accurate vocals. They also have a full bass that is not overwhelming. The treble is crisp and inviting and the midrange is naive.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones that are priced at this level. The earpads are constructed of leather with a soft surface, and the headband is adorned with leather. The design is simple and elegant and has a minimalist look that complements its high-quality audio. It has an ordinary TRS connector and is detachable, which makes it easy to replace or swap out if you need to. It also comes with a hardshell carrying bag and an additional pair of earpads to accommodate different sound signatures.

The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not the heaviest on the ears however they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones that offer similar capabilities. Moreover, they are very efficient and don't require much power to run. The ear pads also have a extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them without discomfort for long hours.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. However, making a mark in this competitive market requires more than having a great name and a reasonable price tag. I listened to a track by Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature various instruments, including electric guitars, flute, bass, planar Magnetic iem and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the tracks with astonishing clarity and precision, even at high volumes.

ERA-2

It was a step ahead of its time, Quad's initial headphone garnered awe and admiration from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 aims to capture the magic of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers in an open, transparent headphone that has deep bass, supple and precise mids, crystal clear highs and a wide soundstage that is intimate but not restrictive. It's hard to imagine a headset with more transparency, better tonal balance, and the kind of real-world separation of instruments that makes you believe you're actually in the studio with the musicians.

The earcups are made of an incredibly lightweight and breathable material for comfort during long listening sessions. The patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to eliminate unwanted resonances in the headphones, improving clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers are audio-acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in a high transient response and high resolution. Its slim and sleek design makes it ideal for transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to use aftermarket cables.

The magnetic headphones of Planar can be powered either by the output from the majority of portable digital audio players, or via an external headphone amp. This allows them to deliver a much more natural and immersive listening experience than standard headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic earbuds best magnetic planar headphones driver has a lower stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

To test the ERA-1 I tried various pieces of music, including classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and imaging that was evident on a piece of string music, with each note being clearly defined in space. However it was less flesh-and-bone-like than the LCD-X in this regard, which has a fuller and more natural sound. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with remarkable accuracy. However the ERA-1 is more coherent in its sound. It also has a lighter sound which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

Most headphones under $1000 have the sound of too closed-in and boxed-in. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency that you expect from a planar design. The headphone is extremely light and has a low clamping force making it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and regular contributor for Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.

Planar headphones use an ultra-thin membrane that is sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones which require a separate headphone amplifier to produce the bias voltage and the high-voltage audio signal that is required to drive their diaphragms. This allows all parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, thus reducing intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

Planars can also operate by an audio player portable with a driver sufficiently sensitive. The ERA-1 headphones are one of several that can be used this manner. To maximize the use of them, you'll require an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, excellent clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It also has quick response, making it easy to follow string notes 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 exceptionally clear.

In comparison to the superb but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. 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 part of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to hear how the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. The track requires an extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. Its impressive phase coherency and detail were apparent, as was the bass, which had both depth and tightness.

ERA-4

Quad is back in the market for headphones after an absence of over a year. The ERA-1 is a magnetic headphone with a planar magnetic Iem design that builds on the company's history with electrostatic speakers. It is constructed with a thin, high-quality diaphragm that is surrounded by drivers that are matched to precise tolerances. This allows all the parts of the diaphragm to move at the same time which results in better phase coherency as well as peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design means that you can wear it for long listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a great choice for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage that has excellent clarity. It is easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and works with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes it compatible with many amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to make them more comfortable. Its soundstage is spacious and its high-frequency response has excellent transient response. Its midrange and bass are both accurate and natural.

Contrary to other headphones, the ERA-1's driver complement is the same on both sides of the headphone, allowing for equal performance across both ears. This is a must for those who love listening to music with other people or in groups. Moreover the ERA-1's open back design allows for excellent sound isolation as well as a reduced bleed from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option to get the most powerful sound. Its slim profile design and light construction make it a simple to fit on any head shape. The headphone comes with a carrying case, a spare set earpads and a carrying bag. It is a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 comes with a cord that can be detachable that can be made to fit your needs.

When compared to other headphones when compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great option for those who love classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers a wide soundstage and great imaging, and its neutral and transparent sound is perfect for any music genre. The rich detail and clear vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from several online retailers at a very affordable price.