Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After leading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with the iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers, Quad has launched its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 provide high efficiency, low impedance and performance that is comparable to their renowned ESL speakers.
The sturdy construction and premium finish give them a luxurious feeling however, they're comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other plansar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included, one made of soft leather and the other made of fleece and latex. This lets you have a more customized fit and better acoustic performance.
ERA-1
Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency and a vast soundstage. They are suitable for home, studio and DJ work, as well as for use on mobile devices. They have a very lightweight diaphragm, which is placed between two magnets that gives an even frequency response, without any phase shifts. This is in contrast to conventional dynamic cone speakers, that have a sloping frequency response. The ERA-1s have a clear and clear sound, as well as clear and precise vocals. They also have a full, full bass that is not overpowering. The treble is clear and inviting, while the midrange is naive.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads are constructed of leather with a soft surface, and the headband is covered with leather. Its design is elegant and simple, with a minimal look that complements its high-quality audio. The cable has an ordinary TRS connector, and it is detachable, making it easy to replace or swap out if you require to. It also comes with a carrying case made of hardshell and an additional pair of earpads that can be used for different sound signatures.
The ERA-1 is a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They're not the smallest however they are much lighter than other premium headphone models with similar performance. Moreover, they are very efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to operate. The ear pads are also extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.
The ERA-1s are competing against headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. However, standing out in this crowded market is more than a good name and a cheap price tag. To find out how the ERA-1s stack up against other models I played a song by Alter Natives, a band that performs percussive, rhythmic jazz improv. Their songs feature diverse instruments, including electric guitars, flute, bass, and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the tracks with astonishing clarity and precision, even at high volumes.
ERA-2
Quad's first headphones were hailed as a tech breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 is a bid to capture the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers into an open, transparent, clear headphone with deep bass, delicate articulate mids, clear, highs and a wide, intimate soundstage without being constricting. It's hard to imagine an even better headphone with an ideal tonal balance, and convincing separation of instruments and makes you feel as if you're in the studio with the musicians.
The ear cups feature an incredibly lightweight and breathable material to ensure comfort during long listening sessions. Its patent-pending nonlinear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically calibrated with very precise tolerances. This results in a excellent transient response and a high resolution for detail. The sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also comes with a detachable cable that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to connect aftermarket cables.
Planar-magnetic headphones can be driven either by the output from most portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This enables them to provide a much more natural and immersive listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1's magnetic drivers are planar. also have a lower stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones that have a larger diaphragm.
I played various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding image and articulation. This 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 and offers a more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with incredible precision. However, the ERA-1 just sounds more coherent. It also has a softer sound which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.
ERA-3
Most headphones under $1000 have a sonic signature which sounds too cloistered and boxed-in. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency you expect from a planar design. The headphone's weight is light and low clamping force make it comfortable for long listening sessions - our listeners included SoundStage! pop over to these guys , solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.
As opposed to electrostatic headphones that require a separate headphone amplifier to generate the necessary bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms. Planars use an ultra-thin diaphragm set between two magnets. This means all parts of the diaphragm are equally resonant and remove the intermodulation distortion caused by inductance which can make electrostatic drivers sound edgy or bright sound.
Another benefit of planars is the ability to be driven by an audio player that is portable with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 headphones are just one of several that can be used in this way. However, to maximize the use of these headphones, you'll need an excellent headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, excellent clarity, and an exceptionally smooth and natural midrange. It also has quick response, which makes 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 discovered that the notes for the string had excellent separation and were exceptionally clear.
Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers more accurate image and better separation of instruments. It's a bit more relaxed, but it's still a great sound with excellent clarity and black background. I then played the jazz quartet semi-improv by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl cut) to see how the ERA-1 performed with drums flute, electric guitar and saxophone. The track requires a lot of speed and dynamic range to reproduce accurately. The ERA-1's impressive phase coherency, detail, and bass were evident.
ERA-4
Quad has returned to the headphone market after an absence of over a year. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's heritage of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm surrounded by drivers that are tuned to tight tolerances. This allows all the parts of the diaphragms to vibrate simultaneously and provides greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. The lightweight and comfortable design allows you to wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want an open, detailed soundstage with superb imaging. It's easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and works with any mobile phone or portable audio player. Its low impedance rating allows it to be used with all amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to make them more comfortable. The soundstage is spacious in feel, and its high frequency response has excellent transient response. Its midrange and bass are both natural and accurate.
Unlike most headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on both sides of the headphone, allowing for the same audio quality across both ears. This feature is essential for those who prefer to listen to music in a crowd, or share it with others. Furthermore, the ERA-1's open-backed design provides excellent sound isolation as well as a reduced bleed from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone by Quad is a great option if you want the most excellent sound. Its slim profile design and light construction make it a simple fit for any head shape. The headphone comes with a carrying case, a spare set of earpads and a carrying bag. It's a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 also comes with an earphone that is detachable and 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 gives a wide soundstage, excellent imaging and a neutral and transparent sound that can be used for any genre of music. Its rich detail and clear vocals are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at an affordable price, and it is available from a variety of online retailers.