Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

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

The robust construction and the premium finish provide a luxurious feel though they remain comfortable and lightweight when compared to other designs. Two types of earpads come included with one made of soft leather and another made of fleece and latex. This gives you a more personalised fit and better sound quality.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has the highest degree of clarity and soundstage expansion. They are perfect for studio work, home DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a light diaphragm that is positioned between two magnets that provides an even frequency response, without any phase shifts. This is in contrast to traditional dynamic cone drivers which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s offer a wide and clear sound, as well as precise and precise vocals. They also have a full and full bass that's not overwhelming. The treble is clear and inviting while the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones in this price range. The earpads and the headband have a leather surface with softness. The design is elegant and simple and minimalist in appearance that complements its high-quality audio. It has an ordinary TRS connector and is detachable, making it easy to swap out if you want to. It also comes with a hardshell carrying bag and a second pair of earpads for different sound characteristics.

One of the best things about the ERA-1 is that they can be very comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not the heaviest on the ears, but they are still much lighter than other high-end headphones that offer similar capabilities. They're also extremely efficient and require little power to run. The pads are also very soft texture, so you can wear them without discomfort for long hours.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by high-end, moderately priced Planar Closed Back Headphones magnetic models. In a crowded market, it takes more than a quality brand name and a low-price tag to stand out. I listened to a track by Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments such as electric guitars and flute, bass, saxophone, and more. The ERA-1s recorded the track with incredible clarity and accuracy even at loud volumes.

ERA-2

Quad's first headphones were hailed as a tech breakthrough by both critics and customers. The ERA-1 aims to capture the magic of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers into an open, transparent headphone with deep bass, soft and articulate mids, crystal clear highs and a large soundstage that is intimate without being restricting. It's difficult to imagine a headphone with greater transparency, a proper tonal balance, and the kind of convincing separation of instruments that makes you believe you're actually in the studio with musicians.

The earcups are made of the ear cups with a breathable, lightweight material that provides comfort for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to reduce unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances. This results in a superb transient response, and a high resolution for detail. The sleek and compact design makes it simple to carry around. It also has a detachable headphone cable with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, making it easy to use custom aftermarket cables.

Planar-magnetic headphones can be driven either by the output from most portable digital audio players or via an external headphone amp. This allows them to provide an immersive and natural listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have a lower stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more effectively than other headphones with a bigger diaphragm.

To test the ERA-1 I played a wide range of music, including some classical pieces and modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have excellent image and articulation. This was particularly evident on an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. However it was a bit less flesh-and-bone-like than the LCD-X in this respect it has a more full and more natural presentation. Both are able to track the shapes of notes with incredible precision however, the ERA-1 is just more consistent. It's also quieter and thus more suitable for mobile use.

ERA-3

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

Planar headphones feature a very thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones which require a separate headphone amp to produce the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal that is required to drive their diaphragms. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, which reduces intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

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

The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, excellent clarity, and an exceptionally smooth and natural midrange. It also has a quick response, which makes it easy to follow string notes in complicated arrangements. I listened to the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and found that the string notes were remarkably defined and had excellent separation.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers more accurate imaging and a better separation of instruments. It's more relaxed, but it still has great detail and a black background. I then played the jazz quartet semi-improv piece by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl cut) to hear the way the ERA-1 performed with drums flute, electric guitar and saxophone. The track requires a lot of speed and dynamic range to reproduce precisely. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase, detail, and bass were all apparent.

ERA-4

After a long absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphones. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's legacy with electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are which are tuned to close tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm, including the earpieces, to be vibrating simultaneously. This improves the phase coherency and the reconstruction of signal peaks. Its lightweight and comfortable design also means you can wear it for extended listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage with superb imaging. It is more user-friendly than many closed-back planar magnetic headphones headphones, and it can be used with any smartphone or planar closed back headphones portable audio device. Its low impedance quotient makes it compatible with most amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, which makes them more comfortable during long listening sessions. Its soundstage is spacious and its high-frequency sensitivity has excellent transient response. The midrange is clear and natural, and its bass is full of depth.

Contrary to other headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on each side of the headphone, allowing for equal performance across both ears. This feature is essential for those who love listening to music with friends or in groups. Additionally the ERA-1's open back design offers good sound isolation and reduced bleed from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great choice if you want the most excellent sound. The low-profile design makes it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, spare set of earpads and a carrying bag. It's 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 Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers a full soundstage and excellent imaging. Its smooth and clear sound is ideal for any music genre. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at the best price, and it can be purchased from many online retailers.