Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers Quad has delivered its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones feature low impedance, high efficacy and performance that mirrors the legendary ESL speakers.
The robust construction and high-end finish make them feel luxurious, but they are still light and comfortable in contrast to other designs. Two kinds of earpads are included - one which is made of soft leather and the other made of latex and topped with fleece, giving a degree of personal tailoring for preferred comfort and acoustic properties.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphone with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage extension. They are suitable for studio work, home audio, DJ work, and mobile use. They have a diaphragm that is extremely light and positioned between two magnets. This allows for a smooth response to frequency with no the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is different from conventional dynamic cone drivers, which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, with clear and precise vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that isn't overpowering. The treble is clear and inviting quality, while the mid-range is nuanced and clear.
The soundstage is more spacious than other headphones at the same price. The earpads are constructed of leather with a soft surface, and the headband is lined with leather. The design is elegant and simple and minimalist in appearance that matches its high-performance audio. The cable is equipped with an ordinary TRS connector and is detachable, which makes it easy to swap out if you want to. The bundle comes with a durable carry bag and an additional pair of earpads with different sound characteristics.
The ERA-1 is a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They are not light on the ears however they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones that offer similar capabilities. Furthermore, they are efficient and don't require much power to operate. The pads are also extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them with no discomfort for long hours.
The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze, HiFiMAN, and MrSpeakers in an industry that is filled with moderately priced, high-quality, planar-magnetic designs. But standing out in this crowded market is more than having a great name and a reasonable cost. I was listening to a track from Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments such as electric guitars and bass, flute, saxophone, and many more. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing accuracy and clarity even at high volumes.
ERA-2
Quad's first headphones were hailed as a technology breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic speakers in an open, transparent, high-quality headphone that offers rich bass, delicate articulate mids, crystal clear highs and a broad and intimate soundstage, without restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a headphone with greater transparency, a proper tonal balance and believable instrument separation that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with the musicians.
The ear cups are made of the ear cups with a breathable, lightweight material for comfort during long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to block unwanted reverberations in the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers also are tuned acoustically to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in a high transient response and detail resolution. Its compact and sleek design makes it ideal for transport. It also comes with a detachable headphone cable with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, which makes it easy to connect custom aftermarket cables.
Unlike electrostatic headphones, which require a specific bias voltage and a very high-voltage audio signal to function, planar-magnetic designs can be powered by the output of many portable digital audio players, or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them deliver an immersive and natural listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has less stored power, and can therefore reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
To test the ERA-1 I tried a wide range of music, including classical pieces and modern recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and clarity that was evident in a piece of string music, with each note being clearly defined in space. However it was less flesh-and-bone than the LCD-X in this regard as it has a richer and more natural sound. Both can track the shape of notes with incredible precision however the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It also has a lower volume and thus more suitable for use on mobile devices.
ERA-3
With the exception of the very best planars, most headphones in the under $1000 range have a sound signature that sounds too closed and boxed in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a planar-style design. The headphone's lightweight weight and low clamping force makes it comfortable for long listening sessions. Our listeners include SoundStage! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate of 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 amplifier to generate 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, reducing the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.
Another benefit of planars is their capacity to be driven by an audio player that is portable with an appropriately sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used in this way, but to unlock the full potential of these headphones, you'll need an excellent headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, great clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It also has a fast 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 extremely clear and had excellent separation.
Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers a more accurate imaging and a better separation of instruments. It's a bit more relaxed, but it still has excellent clarity and black background. I then played the jazz-improv portion 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 electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. The track requires an extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase detail, phase coherency, and bass were all apparent.
ERA-4
After a lengthy absence from the headphone market, Quad is back with their first-ever headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's heritage of electrostatic speakers. It uses a thin, high-quality diaphragm surrounded by drivers that are matched to precise tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time and provides greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. The lightweight and comfortable design allows you to wear it for longer listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is an excellent choice for music fans who want a rich and wide soundstage, as well as outstanding sound quality and excellent image. It is easier to drive than many planar headphones and is compatible with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes it compatible with most amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, making them more comfortable during long listening sessions. Its soundstage is large in feel, and its high frequency response has a superb transient response. planar magnetic headphones explained and bass are both precise and natural.
Unlike most headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on each side of the headphone, which allows for equal sound quality across both ears. This is a must for those who like listening to music with friends or in groups. Moreover, the ERA-1's open-backed design allows for good sound isolation and reduced bleeding from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone by Quad is a great choice for those who want the most powerful sound. Its slim profile design and light build makes it an easy to use for any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carrying case and an extra set of earpads, which makes it an ideal choice for traveling. The ERA-1 also has an unattachable cable that can be replaced with a custom-made one.
The Quad ERA-1 is a good choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers a wide soundstage and great imaging. Additionally, its smooth and clear sound is perfect for any genre of music. The rich detail and clear vocals are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available at a great price, and it is available from a variety of online retailers.