Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

After spearheading 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 robust construction and high-end finish make them feel luxurious, but they are still comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other plansar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included - one which is made of soft leather and the second from latex topped with fleece fabric, giving a degree of individualization for the best comfort and acoustic characteristics.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with an extremely high level of transparency and soundstage expansion. They can be used for home, studio and DJ work as well as mobile use. They feature a lightweight diaphragm set between two magnets that gives an even frequency response, without phase irregularities. This is in contrast to conventional dynamic cone speakers with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s produce an open and clear sound with precise vocals. They also have a deep and full bass that's not overwhelming. The treble is clear and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is a lot bigger than other headphones that are priced at this level. The headband and earpads have a leather surface with a soft, comfortable feel. The design is simple and elegant and minimalist in appearance that complements its high-quality audio. The cable is equipped with a standard TRS connector, and it is detachable, which makes it easy to replace or swap out if you require to. The package includes a hardshell carry bag and an additional pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.

One of the great things about the ERA-1 is that it can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however they are significantly lighter than other premium headphones with similar capabilities. Furthermore, they are efficient and do not require the use of a lot of power to run. The ear pads also have a extremely soft texture, which means you can wear them with no discomfort for long hours.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze, and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily filled with moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. In a crowded market, it takes more than a quality brand name and a low-cost label to stand out. I was listening to a track from Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. Their songs include a variety of instruments such as electric guitars flute, bass and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing clarity and precision even at loud volumes.

ERA-2

Ahead of its time, Quad's first headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 is designed to recreate the awe-inspiring sound of the company's legendary electrostatic loudspeakers. It's an open, transparent headphone with deep bass, supple and precise mids, pristine highs, and a soundstage that is intimate without being restrictive. It's hard to imagine an even better headphone with an ideal tonal balance, and realistic separation of the instruments that makes you feel like you're in the studio right with the musicians.

The earcups are made of an incredibly lightweight and breathable material that provides comfort for long listening sessions. The patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted resonances within the headphones, increasing clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically tuned to very tight tolerances. This results in a excellent transient response and high detail resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also comes with a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect aftermarket cables.

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

I used different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces and contemporary recordings. I found that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and clarity, which was especially evident in a piece of string music, with every note clearly outlined in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this regard it is more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with astonishing accuracy. However, the ERA-1 is more coherent in its sound. It's also quieter and therefore more suitable for use on mobile devices.

ERA-3

With the exception of the best planars, the majority of headphones in the under $1000 range have a sonic signature that sounds too closed and closed in. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency that you expect from a planar design. The headphone's lightweight weight and planar Headphones low force of clamping make it suitable for long listening sessions. Our listeners include SoundStage! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins who is a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and saxophonist from Los Angeles, LeRena Major.

Unlike electrostatic headphones, which need an amplifier for the headphone to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal which drives their diaphragms, the planars make use of a thin diaphragm that is placed between two magnets. This means that all the parts of the diaphragm sound equally and eliminates intermodulation distortion due to inductance which can make electrostatic drivers sound edgy or bright sound.

Another benefit of planars is their ability to be driven by the portable digital audio player with an appropriately sensitive driver. The ERA-1 headphones are among several that can be used in this manner. However, to maximize the use of them, you'll need an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 provides a large soundstage, excellent clarity, and Planar Headphones an exceptionally natural and smooth midrange. It also has a quick response, which makes it easy to follow the notes of string in complex 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 had excellent separation and were exceptionally clear.

Compared with the excellent but comparatively 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 amazing clarity and a stunning 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, and saxophone. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce it accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable phase coherency as well as its clarity and bass were all apparent.

ERA-4

After a long absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones planar builds on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is covered by high-quality drivers, that are matched to tight tolerances. This allows all parts of the diaphragms to vibrate simultaneously and provides better phase coherency as well as peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means you can wear it for lengthy listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage with superb imaging. It is easier to drive than many planar headphones [https://qooh.Me/gaugemanx0] and is compatible with any mobile phone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes them suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to make them more comfortable. The soundstage is wide and its high-frequency response is excellent in its transient response. Its midrange is precise and natural, and its bass is full of depth.

The ERA-1 has identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal sound quality in both ears. This feature is crucial for those who like to listen to music in a crowd, or share it with friends. The open-backed design on the ERA-1 offers great sound isolation and minimizes bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great choice if you want the best sound. The slim design makes it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carry case, a spare set of headphones and a bag for carrying. It is an excellent choice for travel. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced with a custom-made one.

If you compare it 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 wide soundstage and great imaging. Its smooth and clear sound is ideal for any genre of music. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from a variety of online retailers at a very affordable cost.