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Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

The first headphones of Quad are a direct result of the famous ESL electrostatic loudspeakers that have been a part of British Hi-Fi for nearly 30 years. The ERA-1 have high efficiency and low impedance and performance, which is similar to their renowned ESL speakers.

The robust construction and premium finish make them feel luxurious however they're light and comfortable in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of earpads come included one made of soft leather and another made of fleece and latex. This gives you a more personalised fit and better acoustic performance.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has the highest degree of transparency and soundstage extension. They can be used for studio, home audio and DJ work, as well as for use on mobile devices. They feature a diaphragm which is extremely light and positioned between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency, without any phase shifts. This is in contrast to traditional dynamic cone drivers which have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound that has accurate vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that isn't overpowering. The treble has a clear and inviting quality, while the mid-range is nimble and clear.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones in this price range. The earpads and the headband have a leather surface with a soft feel. Its design is elegant and simple, with a minimal look that matches its high-performance audio. The cable can be detached and has the standard TRS plug. This makes it simple to switch or replace it when needed. The bundle comes with a durable carrying bag and an extra pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.

The ERA-1 can be comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light however they are much lighter than other premium headphone models with similar performance. Moreover, they are very efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to run. The ear pads are also extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.

The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. In a crowded market it requires more than a great brand name and a low-cost label to stand out. To find out how the ERA-1s perform compared to other models I played a track from Alter Natives, a band that performs percussive, rhythmic improv jazz. Their songs include various instruments that include 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, Quad's first headphone was awe-inspiring and drew acclaim from both consumers and critics. The ERA-1 is designed to recreate the awe-inspiring sound of the company's legendary electrostatic loudspeakers into an open, transparent and spacious headphone that features deep bass, delicate and articulate mids, crystal clear highs and a wide soundstage that is intimate, but not constricting. It's difficult to imagine an even better headphone with a proper tonal equilibrium, and believable instrument separation, making you feel like you're in the studio right alongside the musicians.

The ear cups are made of a light and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to reduce unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers are acoustically matched to very precise tolerances, which results in superb detail and transient response. The slim and sleek design makes it easy to carry around. It also comes with a detachable cord that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect cables from aftermarket.


These headphones can be powered either through the output of the majority of portable digital audio players or via an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to deliver a 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 more easily 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 contemporary recordings. I found that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and clarity and was particularly evident in a piece of string music, with each individual note clearly defined in space. However it was less flesh-and bone than the LCD-X in this respect it has a more full and more natural presentation. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with remarkable accuracy. However, the ERA-1 simply sounds more consistent. It's also lighter in sound, which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

With the exception of the very top planars, the majority of headphones in the sub-$1000 range have a sonic signature that is too cloistered and closed in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a traditional planar design. The headphone is light and has a low clamping force which makes it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance student of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and saxophonist from Los Angeles, LeRena Major.

As opposed to electrostatic headphones that need an amplifier for the headphone to generate the necessary bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal which drives their diaphragms, the planars make use of a thin diaphragm that is placed between two magnets. This means that all the parts of the diaphragm sound equally and eliminates intermodulation distortion due to inductance that can make electrostatic drivers sound bright or edgy sound.

Planars can also be controlled by an audio player portable with a driver sensitive enough. The ERA-1 headphones are just one of the few that can be used this manner. However, to get the most out of them, you'll require an excellent headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, great clarity, and a natural smooth midrange. It is responsive that makes it easy to follow the notes of the string in complex arrangements. I tried the track "Mining for Gold" from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and discovered that the string notes were well-defined and had a great separation.

Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more precise image and better separation of instruments. It's more relaxed, however it's still a great sound with excellent detail and a 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 hear how the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist flute, saxophone, and flute. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. Its impressive phase coherency and detail were apparent as was the bass, which was both tight and deep.

ERA-4

Quad has returned to the market for headphones after an absence of over a year. The ERA-1 is a magnetic headphone with a planar design that builds on the company's history with electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm and is surrounded by drivers that are matched to exact tolerances. This allows all parts of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time, which provides better phase coherency and signal peak reconstruction. Its lightweight and comfortable design also means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage with excellent imaging. It is much easier to operate than many of the planar headphones and is compatible with any mobile or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes it suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, which makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The soundstage is large and its high-frequency sensitivity is excellent in its transient response. Its bass and midrange are precise and natural.

Unlike most headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on both sides of the headphone, which allows for equal performance across both ears. This feature is essential for those who enjoy listening to music in a crowd, or share it with others. The open-backed design of ERA-1 provides excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option to get the most powerful sound. Its low-profile design and lightweight construction make it a simple fit for any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case and a spare set of earpads. This makes it an ideal option for traveling. The ERA-1 comes with a detachable cord that can be customized.

The Quad ERA-1 is a good option for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers an expansive soundstage and superb imaging. Additionally, its clear and neutral sound is suitable for any genre of music. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from a variety of online retailers for an affordable price.

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