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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 offer high efficiency low impedance and performance that is comparable to their famous ESL speakers.

The sturdy construction and premium finish provide a luxurious feel however, they're comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included, one of which is made from soft leather and the second from latex topped with fleece fabric that allows for individualization for the best comfort and acoustic properties.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with an extremely high level of transparency and soundstage expansion. 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 unlike conventional dynamic cone drivers, which have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s offer a wide and clear sound, with clear and precise vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble is clean and inviting, while the midrange is naive.

The soundstage is larger than the other headphones in the same price range. The earpads and the headband have leather-like surfaces that have softness. The minimalist design of the earpads matches its high-performance sound. It has an ordinary TRS connector that can be detached, which makes it easy to replace or swap out if you need to. It also comes with a hardshell carrying case and a second pair of earpads that can be used for different sound signatures.

The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not lightweight, but they are more compact than other top-quality headphones with comparable performance. Furthermore, they are efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to drive. The earpads are very soft, which means that you can wear them for a long time without discomfort.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a marketplace dominated by premium, moderately priced planar-magnetic models. In a market that is crowded, it takes more than a good brand name and a low-price tag to make a mark. 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 improv jazz. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass, and saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced 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 the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the awe-inspiring qualities of Quad's legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide and high-quality headphone that offers rich bass, soft articulate mids, clear highs and a broad, intimate soundstage without being restricting. It's hard to imagine a better headphone that has an appropriate tonal balance and believable instrument separation, making you feel like you're in the studio right with the musicians.

The ear cups are constructed of a light and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to block unwanted resonances in the headphones, enhancing clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically calibrated with extremely tight tolerances. This results in superb transient response, and a high resolution for detail. The sleek and compact design makes it easy to carry. It also features a headphone cable that can be detached with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, which makes it easy to use custom aftermarket cables.

Planar-magnetic headphones can be driven either through the output of most portable digital audio players, or by an external headphone amp. This allows them to deliver a much more natural and immersive listening experience than standard headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have lower stored energy, which means they can reproduce low frequencies with greater ease than other headphones with a bigger diaphragm.

I used a variety of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as modern recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and imaging, which was especially evident in a piece of string music, with every note clearly defined in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this regard, which is more natural and rounded presentation. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with remarkable precision. However, visit the following website page -1 is more coherent in its sound. It also has a lighter sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3


The majority of headphones priced under $1000 have a a sonic signature which sounds too boxed in and closed. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a planar design. The headphone's lightweight weight and low force of clamping make it suitable for long listening sessions. Our listeners were 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.

Planar headphones feature a very thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones, which require a separate headphone amp to produce the bias voltage and the 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 can also be controlled by an audio player portable with a driver that is sufficiently sensitive. The ERA-1 headphones are one of a few that can be used in this manner. However, to get the most out of them, you'll need an excellent headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, superb clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It is responsive that makes it simple to follow the strings in complicated arrangements. I listened to the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and found that the string notes were well-defined and had excellent separation.

Compared with the excellent but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It is a little more relaxed than the Amiron however, it still offers amazing clarity and a stunning black background. I then played the jazz quartet semi-improv by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl rip) 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. The ERA-1's impressive phase coherency, detail, and bass were all evident.

ERA-4

After a long hiatus from the headphone market Quad is back with their first ever headphones. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's history with electrostatic speakers. It features a thin diaphragm that is surrounded by high-quality drivers matched to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragm to vibrate at the same time which results in greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. The light 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 detailed and wide soundstage, as well as excellent imaging. It is easier to drive than many other planar headphones and can be used on any smartphone or portable audio device. It's low impedance makes it compatible with many amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to ensure they are comfortable. The soundstage is large 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 the same drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal performance in both ears. This feature is crucial for those who enjoy listening to music with others or in groups. The open-backed design of ERA-1 provides excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleed from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great option if you want the most powerful sound. Its slim profile design and light build make it an easy fit for any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, spare set of headphones and a bag for carrying. It is ideal for trips. The ERA-1 also has an unattachable cable that can be replaced with a custom-made one.

In comparison 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 provides a full soundstage and excellent imaging. Its clear and neutral sound is ideal for any genre of music. Its clear and detailed vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from various online stores at an affordable price.

Website: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/planar-magnetic-headphones