Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

After leading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with their iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers, Quad has launched its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones offer low impedance, high efficacy and performance that mirrors the renowned ESL speakers.

The robust construction and the high-end finish give a luxurious experience, even though they are still comfortable and light when compared to other designs. Two types of ear pads are included - one which is made of soft leather and the other is made of latex, topped with fleece, giving a degree of individual tailoring to suit your preferences and acoustic properties.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency and a large soundstage. They can be used for studio, home audio and DJ work as well as for use on mobile devices. They feature a diaphragm that is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This provides a smooth response to frequency with no the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s have a clear and clear sound, with clear and precise vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble has a crisp and enticing quality, whereas the mid-range is nimble and clear.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones that are priced at this level. The earpads are made from leather with a soft surface and the headband is covered with leather. The design is elegant and simple and minimalist in appearance that complements its high-quality audio. The cable is detachable and has an ordinary TRS plug. This makes it easy to change or replace it when needed. It also comes with a hardshell carrying case and a second pair of earpads that can be used for different sound characteristics.

The ERA-1 is a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They're not light however they are much more compact than other top-quality headphones that have similar performance. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and don't require a lot of power to run. The earpads are very soft, which means that you can wear them for hours without discomfort.

The ERA-1s are competing against headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. In a crowded market it is more than a quality brand name and a low-cost label to stand out. To find out how the ERA-1s stack up against other models, I played a track from Alter Natives, a band which plays rhythmic, percussive jazz improv. Their songs feature diverse instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass, and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing accuracy and clarity even at high volume.

ERA-2

The first headphones from Quad were hailed as a technological breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 is designed to capture the magic of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers. It's an open, transparent headphone that has deep bass, delicate and articulate mids, crystal clear highs and a wide soundstage that is intimate without being restricting. It's hard to imagine a better headphone that has an appropriate tonal balance and believable instrument separation and makes you feel as if you're in the studio right with the musicians.

The ear cups are made of a breathable and lightweight material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers are audio-acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in a high transient response and high resolution. The slim and sleek design makes it ideal for transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to connect cables from aftermarket.

Planar-magnetic headphones can be driven either through the output of most portable digital audio players or by 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 less stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds better than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

To test the ERA-1 I played various pieces of music, including some classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb clarity and imaging, which was particularly evident in the music with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. However it was a bit less flesh-and-bone than the LCD-X in this regard it has a more full and more natural sound. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with incredible precision. However the ERA-1 simply sounds more consistent. It also has a lighter sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

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

Planar headphones utilize a thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones which require a separate headphone amp to generate the bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal needed to drive their diaphragms. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, which reduces the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.

planars Headphones (https://www.headphonesshop.uk/products/Sennheiser-hd-660s2-audiophile-wired-Headphones-black) can also be controlled by a portable audio player equipped with a driver sufficiently sensitive. The ERA-1 headphones are among the few that can be used this manner. However, to get the most value from these headphones, you'll need an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, great clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a quick response that makes it easy to follow the strings in complex arrangements. I tried the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies album The Trinity Session (16/44.1 FLAC, Planars Headphones RCA), and discovered that the notes for the string had excellent separation and were extremely well-defined.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more precise image and better separation of instruments. It's a little more relaxed, however it still has excellent clarity and 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 see how the ERA-1 performed with drums electric guitar, flute and saxophone; this track requires a lot of speed and dynamic range to reproduce precisely. Its remarkable phase coherency and detail were apparent as was the bass that was both tight and deep.

ERA-4

After a lengthy absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company’s legacy of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm and is surrounded by drivers that are tuned to exact tolerances. This allows all the parts of the diaphragm to vibrate at the same time which results in better phase coherency and signal peak reconstruction. The light and comfortable design allows you to wear it for long listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage with superb imaging. It's easier to drive than many planar headphones and is compatible with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance makes it compatible with a variety of amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are cushioned to make them more comfortable. The soundstage is large and its high-frequency response has excellent transient response. Its midrange is accurate and natural, and its bass has plenty of depth.

In contrast to most headphones that have 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 like listening to music with others or in groups. The Monolith M1570 Open Back Planar Headphones - Premium Sound-backed design of ERA-1 offers excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great choice for those who want the most excellent sound. Its low-profile design and light build makes it an easy fit for any head shape. The headphone comes with a carrying case, a spare set with earpads, and a carry bag. It is an excellent choice for travel. The ERA-1 has a detachable cord that can be made to fit your needs.

The Quad ERA-1 is a good option for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. The open-back design offers an extensive soundstage, great imaging and a neutral and transparent sound that is suitable for all kinds of music. Its rich detail and clear vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from various online retailers for an affordable cost.