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Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
The first headphones from Quad are the direct result of the iconic ESL electrostatic loudspeakers which have been a part of British Hi-Fi for nearly 30 years. The ERA-1 offer high efficiency low impedance and performance that is comparable to their famous ESL speakers.
The robust construction and premium finish provide a luxurious feel however, they're comfortable and light in comparison to other planar designs. Two kinds of ear pads are included - one of which is made of soft leather and the other is made of latex, topped with fleece, giving a degree of individualization for the best comfort and acoustic qualities.
ERA-1
Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high level of transparency and a wide soundstage. They are suitable for studio, home audio and DJ work, as well as for use on mobile devices. They feature a diaphragm which is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency without the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is unlike traditional dynamic cone speakers, which have an uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s produce a clear and open sound that has accurate vocals. They also have a full bass that is not overwhelming. The treble is clear and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones in this price range. 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 can be detached and comes with a standard TRS plug. This makes it easy to switch or replace it in the event of a need. It also comes with a carrying case made of hardshell and a second pair of earpads to accommodate different sound characteristics.
The ERA-1 can be comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not light on the ears however, they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones with similar capabilities. They're also very efficient and require little power to operate. The Ear pads also have a very soft texture, so you can wear them with no discomfort for long hours.
The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily populated by moderately priced, high-quality planar magnetic designs. However, being able to stand out in this market requires more than just an appealing name and a reasonable price tag. I have listened to a track of Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives include diverse instruments such as electric guitars and bass, flute as well as saxophone and saxophone. The ERA-1s recorded the track with incredible clarity and accuracy, even at high volumes.
ERA-2
In the forefront of its time, Quad's initial headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 is a bid to capture the awe-inspiring qualities of Quad's legendary electrostatic speakers in an open, transparent, clear headphone with rich bass, delicate articulate mids, crystal clear highs, and a large intimate soundstage that isn't constricting. planar magnetic headphones to imagine an even better headphone with an ideal tonal balance, and believable instrument separation that makes you feel like you're in the studio right with the musicians.
The ear cups are made 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 within the headphones, increasing clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances. This results in a outstanding transient response and high detail resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also comes with a detachable cable that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect cables from aftermarket.
Contrary to electrostatic headphones that require a particular bias voltage and very high-voltage audio signal in order to operate the headphones, planar-magnetic designs can be driven by the output of many portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This enables them to provide a much more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
I played different pieces 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 image quality and was particularly evident on a piece string music, with each note being clearly outlined in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this way and offers a more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both of them can track the shape of the notes with astonishing accuracy. However the ERA-1 just sounds more coherent. It also has a lower volume, which makes it more suitable for mobile use.
ERA-3
With the exception of the very best planars, most headphones in the sub-$1000 range have a distinctive sonic sound that sounds too closed and closed into. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency you would expect from a planar design. The headphone's light weight and low clamping force make it comfortable for long listening sessions. Our listeners included SoundStage! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance student of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and saxophonist LeRena Major, a Los Angeles-based Major.
Planar headphones use an ultra-thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This differs 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 parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, reducing the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.
Planars can also be driven by a portable audio player equipped with a driver that is sufficient in its sensitivity. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used in this method, however to realize the full potential of these headphones, you'll need an excellent headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, superb clarity, and a smooth and natural midrange. It has a quick response which makes it easy 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 discovered that the string notes were well-defined and had excellent separation.
Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more precise image and better separation of instruments. It's a bit more comfortable than the Amiron however, it still offers amazing clarity and a stunning 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 see how the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist flute, saxophone, and flute. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. Its impressive phase coherency as well as detail were apparent as was the bass, which was tight and full of depth.
ERA-4
Quad has returned to the market for headphones after a long absence. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's heritage with electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are matched to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time and provides better phase coherency and signal peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a great choice for music fans who want a rich and spacious soundstage, with excellent imaging. It is more user-friendly than many planar headphones, and can be used on any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes them suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, which makes them more comfortable during long listening sessions. Its soundstage is spacious and its high-frequency response is excellent in its transient response. The midrange is clear and natural, and its bass is full of depth.
The ERA-1 has identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal performance in both ears. This feature is crucial for those who like to listen to music in a crowd, or share it with others. The open-backed design of ERA-1 provides great sound isolation and minimizes bleed from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great choice to get the best sound. Its slim profile design and light build make it an easy to fit on any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case as well as an additional set of earpads. This makes it a great choice to take on trips. The ERA-1 comes with a detachable cord that can be customized.
The Quad ERA-1 is a good choice for those who love classic hi-fi. The open-backed design gives an expansive soundstage, superb imaging, and a neutral and clear sound that is ideal for all kinds of music. Its rich detail, and clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at a great price and is available from a variety of online retailers.