Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

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

Robust construction and high-end finish give a luxurious feel though they are still comfortable and light in comparison to other planar earphone designs. Two types of earpads are included one made of soft leather, and the other made of latex and fleece. This allows for a more tailored fit and better sound quality.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high level of transparency and a vast soundstage. They are suitable for home, studio and DJ work, as well as mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is very light and set between two magnets. This provides smooth response to frequency with no the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is different from traditional dynamic cone speakers, which have an uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound with precise vocals. They also have a rich, full bass that is not overpowering. The treble is crisp and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is a lot bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads are made from leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is adorned with leather. The design is elegant and simple, with a minimal look that complements its high-quality audio. The cable is equipped with a standard TRS connector rasmusen.org and is detachable, which makes it simple to swap it out if you need to. It also comes with a hardshell carrying case and a second pair of earpads to accommodate different sound signatures.

One of the best things about the ERA-1 is that it can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light, but they are more compact than other top-quality headphones that have similar performance. Moreover, they are very efficient and do not require a lot of power to run. The ear pads are very soft, which means that you can wear them for store a long time without discomfort.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. However, standing out in this crowded market requires more than just an appealing name and a low price tag. To determine how the ERA-1s stack up against other models, I played a track from Alter Natives, a band which plays rhythmic, percussive improv jazz. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments like electric guitars and bass, flute, saxophone, and more. The ERA-1s reproduced the tracks with astonishing clarity and precision even at high volume.

ERA-2

It was a step ahead of its time, Quad's initial headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers into an open and clear headphone with rich bass, soft articulate mids, clear highs and a broad and intimate soundstage, without restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone than one that has an ideal tonal balance, and realistic separation of the instruments and makes you feel as if you're in the studio alongside the musicians.

The ear cups are made from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patent-pending nonlinear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations within 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 high detail resolution. The sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to connect aftermarket cables.

These headphones can be powered either through the output of the majority of portable digital audio players, or via an external headphone amp. This allows them to provide a more natural and immersive listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have less stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones that have 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 identified in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this way it offers a more natural and rounded presentation. Both can track the shapes of notes with incredible precision however the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It's also quieter and thus more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

Most headphones under $1000 have a sonic signature which sounds too cloistered and boxed-in. The ERA-1 offers the openness and transparency you expect from a planar design. The headphone is lightweight and has a low clamping force, making it comfortable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance student of USC and regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and saxophonist from Los Angeles, LeRena Major.

In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which need a separate headphone amplifier to generate the necessary 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 means that all the parts of the diaphragm are equally resonant and remove the intermodulation distortion caused by inductance that can make electrostatic drivers sound bright or edgy sound.

Another benefit of planars is their ability to be driven by an audio player that is portable equipped with a driver that is sensitive enough. The ERA-1 headphones are just one of several that can be used in this way. To maximize the use of them, you'll require an excellent headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, excellent clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It also has a fast response, making it easy to follow the notes of string in complex arrangements. I tested the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and discovered that the notes on the strings were remarkably defined and had a great separation.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more accurate imaging and a better separation of instruments. It's a bit more relaxed, however it still has great clarity and 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, saxophone, and flute. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. Its impressive phase coherency as well as detail were apparent, as was the bass, which had both depth and tightness.

ERA-4

Quad has returned to the headphone market after an extended absence. The ERA-1 is a magnetic headphone with a planar design that builds on the company's legacy with electrostatic speakers. It uses a thin, high-quality diaphragm that is surrounded by drivers that are matched to tight tolerances. This lets the entire diaphragm including the earpieces, to vibrate simultaneously. This improves the coherence of phase and the reconstruction of the peaks of signal. The lightweight and comfortable design lets you wear it for long listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is an excellent choice for music fans who want a rich and open soundstage, with outstanding sound quality and excellent image. It is much easier to operate than many of the planar headphone headphones and can be used on any mobile or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes it compatible with many amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, making them more comfortable during long listening sessions. The soundstage is wide and its high-frequency sensitivity has excellent transient response. Its bass and midrange are accurate and natural.

The ERA-1 has identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal performance for both ears. This is a must for those who love listening to music with others or in groups. Furthermore the ERA-1's open-backed design offers excellent sound isolation as well as a reduced bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option if you want the most powerful sound. The low-profile design makes it easy to fit any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case and a spare set of earpads. This makes it a great choice to take on trips. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced by a custom-made one.

The Quad ERA-1 is a good choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. Its open-back design provides an expansive soundstage and superb imaging, and its neutral and transparent sound is suitable for any genre of music. The rich detail and clear vocals are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at the best price, and it is available from a variety of online retailers.