Notes

10 Unquestionable Reasons People Hate Planar Headphones
Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

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

A robust design and a premium finish deliver a luxurious experience, even though they are still comfortable and light when compared to other designs. Two kinds of ear pads are included - one which is made from soft leather and the other made of latex and topped with fleece which allows for individualization for the best comfort and acoustic properties.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has an extremely high level of transparency and soundstage expansion. They can be used for studio, home audio and DJ work as well as for mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This allows for smooth response to frequency, without the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is in contrast to traditional dynamic cone drivers, that have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s produce a clear and open sound with accurate vocals. They also have a deep, full bass that is not overpowering. The treble has a clear and inviting quality, while the mid-range is nimble and focused.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones in this price range. The headband and earpads have a leather surface with a soft, comfortable feel. Its minimalist design matches its high-performance sound. The cable is detachable and has a standard TRS plug. This makes it simple to switch or replace it if necessary. It also comes with a hardshell carrying bag and a second pair of earpads to accommodate different sound styles.

One of the best things about the ERA-1 is that they can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however they are significantly lighter than other premium headphones that offer similar performance. They're also very efficient and don't require much power to run. The ear pads are very soft, which means that you can wear them for long periods without discomfort.

The ERA-1s compete 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 reasonable cost. To find out how the ERA-1s compare to other models, I played a track from Alter Natives, a band which plays rhythmic, percussive jazz improv. The songs by Alter Natives use various instruments, like electric guitars and bass, flute, saxophone, and more. The ERA-1s reproduced this track with amazing accuracy and clarity, even at high volume.

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 magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in an open and transparent headphone that has deep bass, soft, articulate mids, pristine, highs and a wide, intimate soundstage without being restricting. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone that has a proper tonal equilibrium, and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're in the studio alongside the musicians.

The ear cups are constructed from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to eliminate unwanted resonances in the headphones, improving clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically matched with very tight tolerances. This results in a superb transient response, and a high resolution for detail. Its slim and sleek design makes it easy for transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to use aftermarket cables.

In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a particular bias voltage and extremely high-voltage audio signal in order to operate the headphones, planar-magnetic designs can be driven by the output of a majority of portable digital audio players, or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide an immersive and natural listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has less stored power, which means it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more easily than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

To test the ERA-1 I tried a wide range of music, including some classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb imaging and articulation, which was particularly evident in the music with strings. Each note was clearly identified 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 are able to recognize the shapes of notes with a remarkable precision, but the ERA-1 is more consistent. It also has a softer sound and is more suitable for use on mobile devices.

ERA-3

Most headphones under $1000 have the sound of too cloistered and boxed-in. ERA-1 delivers openness and transparency that you would expect from a traditional planar design. The headphone's weight is light and low clamping force make it comfortable for long listening sessions - our listeners included SoundStage! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and regular contributor for Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.

Planar headphones feature a very thin membrane that is sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones that require a separate headphone amp to produce the bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal needed to drive their diaphragms. This allows all the parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, thus reducing 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 that is sufficient in its sensitivity. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used this way, but to unlock their full potential you will require a high-quality headphone amplifier.

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

Compared with the excellent but more expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more relaxed, however it still has great detail and a black background. I then played the jazz-improv part of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to see how the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. This track requires a high dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. The ERA-1's impressive phase coherency as well as its clarity and bass were all evident.

ERA-4

After a long hiatus from the market for headphones, Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone which builds on the company's heritage with electrostatic speakers. It is constructed with a thin, high-quality diaphragm that is surrounded by drivers that are tuned to precise tolerances. This lets the entire diaphragm including the earpieces, to move simultaneously. This improves phase coherency and the reconstruction of signals with peaks. 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, detailed 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 them compatible with a variety of amplifiers. Its earcups are padded and soft, making them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The soundstage is wide and its high-frequency sensitivity is excellent in its transient response. Its midrange is precise and natural, while its bass has plenty of depth.


The ERA-1 features identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal sound quality in both ears. This is a must for those who love listening to music with others or in groups. The open-backed design on the ERA-1 offers great sound isolation and minimizes bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great choice to get the best sound. The slim design makes it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, a spare set with earpads, and a carry bag. It is a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 also comes with an unattachable cable that can be replaced by a custom-made one.

The Quad ERA-1 is a good option for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. The open-backed design provides an extensive soundstage, great imaging and a neutral and transparent sound that is suitable for all genres of music. Highly recommended Website , and clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 is available at an affordable price, and can be bought from several online retailers.

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