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Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel speakers, Quad has delivered its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 have high efficiency and low impedance and performance that is comparable to their renowned ESL speakers.
Robust construction and high-end finish give a luxurious experience, even though they remain comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of earpads are included one made of soft leather, and the other made of fleece and latex. This allows for a more tailored fit and better acoustic performance.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage expansion. They are perfect for studio work, home DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a lightweight diaphragm, which is placed between two magnets, which provides a smooth frequency response with no any phase shifts. This is unlike traditional dynamic cone drivers, which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, with accurate and detailed vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, deep bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble is clear and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.
The soundstage is larger than that of other headphones at the same price. The earpads and the headband have leather-like surfaces that have softness. The design is simple and elegant and minimalist in appearance that matches its high-performance audio. The cable can be detached and comes with an ordinary TRS plug. This makes it simple to switch or replace it when needed. The bundle comes with a durable carry bag and an additional pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.
The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not light on the ears, but they are still much lighter than other high-end headphones that offer similar capabilities. please click the next webpage and do not require a lot of power to operate. The ear pads also have a extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them with no discomfort for many hours.
The ERA-1s are competing with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. However, making a mark in this competitive market requires more than just having a great name and a low price tag. I was listening to a track from Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. Their songs include diverse instruments such as electric guitars flute, bass and saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing accuracy and clarity, even at high volume.
ERA-2
It was a step ahead of its time, the first Quad headphone garnered awe and admiration from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic loudspeakers in an open, transparent and spacious headphone that features deep bass, delicate and articulate mids, pristine highs, and a soundstage that is intimate without being restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone that has an ideal tonal balance, and believable instrument separation that makes you feel like you're in the studio with the musicians.
The ear cups are made from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are audio-acoustically tuned to extremely precise tolerances, which results in excellent transient response and high resolution. Its slim and elegant design makes it simple for transport. It also has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect cables from aftermarket.
In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a specific voltage of bias and very high-voltage audio signal to function they can be powered by the output of many portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide a more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have a lower stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones with a bigger diaphragm.
To test the ERA-1, I used a wide range of music, including classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and clarity and was particularly evident in a piece of string music, with every note clearly outlined 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 consistent. It also has a more mellow sound and is more suitable for use on mobile devices.
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 sealed into. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency you expect from a planar design. The headphone's lightweight weight and low clamping force make it comfortable for long listening sessions - our listeners include 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 LeRena Major, a Los Angeles-based Major.
As opposed to electrostatic headphones that need a separate headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms, planars utilize a diaphragm with a very thin profile that is set between two magnets. This allows all the parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, thus reducing intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.
Planars can also operate by an audio player that is portable and equipped with a driver sensitive enough. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used in this way, however, to fully unlock their full potential you will need an excellent headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 provides a large soundstage, superb clarity, and an incredibly natural and smooth midrange. It also has a quick response, making it easy to follow the notes of string in complicated arrangements. I listened to the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and discovered that the string notes were remarkably defined and had a great separation.
As compared to the superior but more 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 has great detail and excellent 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 hear 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 it accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase, detail, and bass were evident.
ERA-4
After a long absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. relevant site has a diaphragm that is thin that is covered by high-quality drivers, that are matched to tight tolerances. This allows all the parts of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time, which provides better phase coherency as well as peak reconstruction. The light and comfortable design allows you to wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage that has excellent clarity. It is easier to drive than many planar headphones, and it can be used with any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes it compatible with many amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are cushioned to make them more comfortable. Its soundstage has a spacious feel and its high frequency response has a superb transient response. Its midrange is accurate and natural, and its bass has plenty of depth.
In contrast to most headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on each side of the headphone. This allows for equal sound quality across both ears. This feature is crucial for those who like listening to music with other people or in groups. Moreover the ERA-1's open-backed design allows for good sound isolation and reduced bleed from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great choice for those who want the most powerful sound. Its slim profile design and light build make it an easy to use for any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carry case, a spare set of headphones and a bag for carrying. It's an excellent choice for travel. The ERA-1 comes with a detachable cord that can be made to fit your needs.
If best planar headphones compare it to other headphones when compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. The open-backed design provides an extensive soundstage, great imaging, and a neutral and transparent sound that is suitable for all kinds of music. Its clear and detailed vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at a great price, and can be bought from several online retailers.
Homepage: http://sc.sie.gov.hk/TuniS/www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/planar-magnetic-headphones
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