Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

After establishing British Hi-Fi as the leader since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel speakers, 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.

A robust design and a premium finish deliver a luxurious feel though they remain comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included one made of soft leather and the other made of latex and fleece. This gives you a more personalised fit and better acoustic performance.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage expansion. They are perfect for home, studio DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is very light and set between two magnets. This allows for smooth response to frequency with no phase irregularities. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers, which have an uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s provide clear and spacious sound with accurate vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that isn't overpowering. The treble is clean and inviting, while the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage is larger than that of other headphones that are in the same price range. The earpads are made from leather with a soft surface and the headband is adorned with leather. Its design is simple and elegant and minimalist Immerse in Audiophile Quality with KZ x HBB PR2 Planar Driver IEMs appearance that is in line with its high-quality audio. The cable has an ordinary TRS connector that is detachable, making 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 for different sound characteristics.

The ERA-1 is a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They're not the smallest, but they are lighter than other high-end headphones that have similar performance. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and do not require much power to run. The earpads are extremely soft, which means that you can wear them for hours without feeling uncomfortable.

The ERA-1s are competing against headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a marketplace dominated by premium, moderately priced planar-magnetic models. In this crowded market, it takes more than a good brand name and a low-price tag to make a mark. To determine how the ERA-1s perform compared to other models I played a track from Alter Natives, a band that plays percussive, rhythmic jazz improv. Their songs include a variety of instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass, and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with astonishing clarity and precision even at loud volumes.

ERA-2

The first headphones from Quad were hailed as a technological breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 is designed to capture the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic loudspeakers in an open, transparent headphone with deep bass, supple and precise mids, crystal clear highs and a soundstage that is intimate, but not restricting. It's hard to imagine a headset with better transparency, proper tonal balance and believable instrument separation 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. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted resonances in the headphones, improving clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are tuned acoustically to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in excellent transient response and detail resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it easy to carry around. It also comes with a headphone cable that can be detached with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, which makes it easy to use custom aftermarket cables.

In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a specific voltage of bias and a very high-voltage audio signal to function, planar-magnetic designs can be powered by the output of most portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to deliver an even more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has less stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more easily than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

I tried different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces and contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb clarity and imaging, which was particularly evident in an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly identified in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this regard and is more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both of them can track the shape of the notes with astonishing accuracy. However, the ERA-1 simply sounds more consistent. It also has a lower volume, which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

Most headphones under $1000 have the sound of too cloistered and boxed-in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a traditional planar design. The headphone is lightweight and has a low force of clamping, making it comfortable for immerse in audiophile quality With kz x hbb pr2 planar driver Iems 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 Los Angeles-based saxophonist LeRena Major.

Planar headphones utilize a thin membrane that is sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones, which require a separate headphone amplifier to produce the bias voltage and the high-voltage audio signal required to drive their diaphragms. This means that all the parts of the diaphragm resonate equally 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 the portable digital audio player with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used this way, but to unlock the full potential of these headphones, you'll require a top headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, excellent clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It is responsive which 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 found the string notes 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's more relaxed, but it's still a great sound with excellent 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 hear how well the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums, flute, and saxophone. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase, detail, and bass were all evident.

ERA-4

After a lengthy absence from the headphone market Quad is Monolith M1070C Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphones with their first ever headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnet magnetic headphones are built on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It is constructed with a thin, high-quality diaphragm that is surrounded by drivers that are aligned to exact tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm, including the earpieces, move simultaneously. This improves the phase coherency and the reconstruction of signal peaks. The light and comfortable design lets you wear it for extended listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is an excellent option for music lovers who want a detailed and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It is much easier to operate than many other planar headphones and it can be used with any mobile or portable audio device. Its low impedance quotient makes it compatible with most amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are cushioned to ensure they are comfortable. The soundstage is spacious in feel and its high-frequency response is a great transient. Its midrange is accurate and natural, while its bass is full of depth.

The ERA-1 features identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal performance for both ears. This feature is important for listeners who enjoy listening to music in a crowd, or share it with others. The open-backed design on the ERA-1 offers excellent sound isolation and reduces bleeding from external sources.

If you are seeking a headphone that will give you the best audio quality, you should consider the ERA-1 from Quad. The low-profile design makes it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carrying case and a spare set of earpads, Immerse In Audiophile Quality with KZ x HBB PR2 Planar Driver IEMs which makes it an ideal option for travel. The ERA-1 has a detachable cord that can be made to fit your needs.

When compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers an expansive soundstage and superb imaging, and its smooth and clear sound is suitable for any genre of music. Its rich detail, and clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from several online retailers at a very affordable price.