Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After establishing British Hi-Fi as the leader since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers Quad has released its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 have high efficiency and low impedance and performance, which is similar to their renowned ESL speakers.
The robust construction and premium finish provide a luxurious feel however, they're comfortable and light in comparison to other plansar designs. Two types of earpads are included, one made of soft leather and another of latex with fleece fabric. This lets you have a more customized fit and better sound quality.
ERA-1
Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency, and a wide soundstage. They are perfect for home and studio audio, DJ work and mobile use. They have a very lightweight diaphragm that is positioned between two magnets that gives a smooth frequency response without any phase shifts. This is different from traditional dynamic cone drivers, that have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s offer a wide and clear sound, as well as clear and precise vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble is clear and enticing quality, whereas the mid-range is nuanced and focused.
The soundstage is larger than that of other headphones in the same price range. The earpads are made from leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is adorned with leather. Its minimalist design is matched by its high-end sound. The cable has the standard TRS connector, and it can be detached, which makes it simple to swap it out if you want to. The bundle comes with a durable carrying bag and an extra pair of earpads that have different sound signatures.
One of the best things about the ERA-1 is that it is extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not lightweight however they are much more compact than other top-quality headphones with comparable performance. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and don't require a lot of power to run. The pads are also extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them with no discomfort for long hours.
The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze, and MrSpeakers in an industry that is filled with moderately priced, high-quality, planar-magnetic designs. In a crowded market it is more than a good brand name and a cheap tag to stand out. To find out how the ERA-1s compare to other models, I played a track from Alter Natives, a band which plays rhythmic, percussive improv jazz. The songs of Alter Natives include a variety instruments, like electric guitars and flute, bass as well as saxophone and saxophone. The ERA-1s recorded the track with incredible clarity and accuracy, even at high volumes.
ERA-2
Quad's first headphones were hailed as a technology breakthrough by both customers and critics. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic speakers in an open, transparent, clear headphone with deep bass, delicate articulate mids, clear highs and a broad intimate soundstage that isn't 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 with the musicians.
The ear cups are made of a breathable and lightweight material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its exclusive non-linear, patented vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted resonances in the headphones, enhancing clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers are also acoustically matched to very precise tolerances, which results in a high detail and transient response. The slim and sleek design makes it easy to carry around. It also comes with a detachable cord that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to use aftermarket cables.
The magnetic headphones of Planar can be powered either through the output of most portable digital audio players, or by an external headphone amplifier. magnetic planar allows them to provide a more natural and immersive listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower stored power, and can therefore reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
To test the ERA-1 I tried an array of music, including some classical pieces and modern recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and imaging that was evident on a piece of string music, with each note clearly outlined in space. However it was a bit less flesh-and-bone than the LCD-X in this respect, which has a fuller and more natural presentation. Both are able to recognize the shapes of notes with incredible precision however the ERA-1 is just more consistent. It's also quieter, which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.
ERA-3
With the exception of the very best planars, the majority of headphones in the sub-$1000 range have a sonic signature that sounds too closed and closed in. The ERA-1 has the openness and transparency that you expect from a planar design. The headphone is light and has a low clamping force which makes it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.
Planar headphones feature a very thin membrane that is sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones which require a separate headphone amp to produce the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal needed to drive their diaphragms. This allows all the parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, reducing intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.
Another benefit of planars is their capacity to be driven by the portable digital audio player with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 headphones are one of several that can be used this manner. To maximize the use of these headphones, you'll need an effective headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, exceptional clarity, and an exceptionally natural and smooth midrange. It also has quick response, making it easy to follow notes on strings in complicated 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 well-defined and had a great separation.
Compared with the excellent but comparatively expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's more relaxed, however it still has excellent clarity and black background. I then played the jazz-improv piece of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to see how well the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist, flute, and saxophone. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. Its impressive phase coherency as well as clarity were evident, as was the bass that was both tight and deep.
ERA-4
Quad has returned to the headphone market following a long absence. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone which builds on the company's heritage with electrostatic speakers. It is constructed with a thin, high-quality diaphragm and is surrounded by drivers that are matched to tight tolerances. This lets the entire diaphragm including the earpieces to vibrate simultaneously. This improves phase coherency and the reconstruction of signals with peaks. Its lightweight and comfortable design means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic option for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage with excellent imaging. It's easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and works with any mobile phone or portable audio player. It's low impedance makes it compatible with a variety of amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, making them more comfortable during long listening sessions. The soundstage is large and its high-frequency sensitivity has excellent transient response. Its midrange is precise and natural, and its bass has plenty of depth.
The ERA-1 features identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal performance in both ears. This is a feature that is essential for those who prefer to listen to music in a group or share it with others. The open-backed design of ERA-1 gives excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleed from external sources.
If you're looking for a headphone that can provide you with the highest audio quality, you should consider the ERA-1 by Quad. The low-profile design makes it easy to fit any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case and an extra set of earpads, which makes it an ideal option for traveling. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced by a custom-made one.
When compared to other headphones When compared to other headphones Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. The open-backed design gives a wide soundstage, excellent imaging and a neutral and transparent sound that can be used for all kinds of music. The rich detail and clear vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from several online stores at an affordable price.