Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After leading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with their iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers, Quad has delivered its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 have high efficiency and low impedance and performance that mirrors their renowned ESL speakers.
A robust design and a high-end finish give an exquisite feel, yet they remain comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included - one that is made of soft leather and the other is made of latex, topped with fleece that allows for individual tailoring to suit your preferences and acoustic characteristics.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has the highest degree of transparency and soundstage extension. They are ideal for home and studio audio, DJ work and mobile use. They have a very lightweight diaphragm, which is placed between two magnets that gives a smooth frequency response with no any phase shifts. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound with accurate vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, deep bass that isn't overpowering. The treble is clean and inviting, while the midrange is naive.
The soundstage is more spacious than the other headphones in the same price range. The earpads are made from leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is adorned with leather. The minimalist design of the earpads matches its high-end sound. The cable can be detached and comes with the standard TRS plug. This makes it easy to change or replace it if necessary. The package comes with a hardshell carrying bag as well as an additional pair of earpads with different audio signatures.
The ERA-1 can be comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light, but they are lighter than other high-end headphones that have similar performance. Furthermore, they are efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to operate. The earpads are extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.
The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze, HiFiMAN and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily packed with moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. In this crowded market, it takes more than a good brand name and a low-cost tag to make a mark. To determine how the ERA-1s stack up against other models I played a song by Alter Natives, a band that plays percussive, rhythmic improv jazz. The songs of Alter Natives include diverse instruments such as electric guitars and flute, bass, saxophone, and more. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with astonishing clarity and precision, even at high volumes.
ERA-2
The first headphones of Quad were hailed as a technological breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the awe-inspiring qualities of Quad's legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide, transparent, high-quality headphone that offers deep bass, soft, articulate mids, pristine highs, and a large and intimate soundstage, without restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a headphone that has greater transparency, a proper tonal balance and convincing instrument separation that makes you believe you're actually in the studio with the musicians.
The earcups are constructed of a light and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. The patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to eliminate unwanted resonances in the headphones, improving clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically calibrated with 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. It also comes with a detachable cable that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect aftermarket cables.
Unlike electrostatic headphones, which require a particular bias voltage and a very high-voltage audio signal in order to operate the headphones, planar-magnetic designs can be driven by the output of many portable digital audio players, or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them deliver a more immersive and natural listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower storage power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more easily than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
I used different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding image and articulation. This was particularly evident in an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. It was less flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this regard and is more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both can track the shapes of notes with incredible precision however, the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It's also lighter in sound and therefore more suitable for mobile use.
ERA-3
Most headphones under $1000 have a sonic signature which sounds too closed-in and boxed-in. ERA-1 delivers the transparency and openness you would expect from a planar design. click the next web page is light and low clamping force makes it comfortable for long listening sessions - our listeners included 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.
Unlike electrostatic headphones, which require an additional headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms, the planars use an ultra-thin diaphragm set between two magnets. This allows all parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, which reduces the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.
Planars can also be controlled by an audio player that is portable and equipped with a driver sensitive enough. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used this way, however, to fully unlock their full potential, you'll require a high-quality headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, excellent clarity and a natural and smooth midrange. It also has quick response, making it easy to follow the notes of string in complicated arrangements. I tested the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and found that the string notes were extremely clear and had a great separation.
As compared to the superior but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more comfortable than the Amiron however, it still offers outstanding clarity and a black background. I then listened to the jazz quartet semi-improv piece performed by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl copy) to hear the way the ERA-1 played with drums, flute, electric guitar, and saxophone. The track requires extreme speed and dynamic range to reproduce precisely. The ERA-1's remarkable phase coherency, detail, and bass were evident.
ERA-4
Quad is back in the headphone market after a long absence. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's heritage of electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is surrounded by high-quality drivers matched to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragm to move simultaneously which results in greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means you can wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music fans who require a clear and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It's more user-friendly than the majority of planar headphones and is compatible with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes it compatible with many amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are cushioned to make them more comfortable. Its soundstage is spacious, and its high-frequency response has excellent transient response. Its midrange and bass are both accurate and natural.
Contrary to other headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal sound quality across both ears. This is a feature that is crucial for those who enjoy listening to music in a group or share it with friends. The open-backed design of the ERA-1 provides excellent sound isolation and reduces bleed from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great option for those who want the best sound. The slim design makes it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone comes with a carrying case and an extra set of earpads. This makes it a great choice for travel. The ERA-1 also has an unattachable cable that can be replaced by 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. The open-back design offers an extensive soundstage, great imaging, and a neutral, transparent sound that is suitable for all kinds of music. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 is available at a great price, and can be bought from several online retailers.