Why We Love Planar Headphones And You Should Too

Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
The first headphones from Quad are a direct result of the legendary ESL electrostatic loudspeakers that have been part of British Hi-Fi for over 30 years. The ERA-1 provide high efficiency, low impedance and performance that mirrors their famous ESL speakers.
The sturdy construction and high-end finish make them feel luxurious however they're light and comfortable in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included - one that is made of soft leather and the second from made of latex and topped with fleece 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 extension. They are suitable to perform home audio, studio and DJ work as well as for use on mobile devices. They feature a light diaphragm, which is placed between two magnets, which provides a smooth frequency response with no any phase shifts. This is different from conventional dynamic cone speakers with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, as well as clear and precise vocals. They also have a deep bass that is not overwhelming. The treble is clear and inviting, while the midrange is nuanced.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones that are priced at this level. The earpads are made from leather with a soft surface and the headband is lined with leather. go!! is matched by its high-performance sound. The cable is equipped with a standard TRS connector, and it is detachable, which makes it easy to swap out if you need to. The package comes with a hardshell carry bag and an additional pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.
The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. planar vs dynamic 're not lightweight on the ears however they are much lighter than other high-end headphones with similar capabilities. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and do not require a lot of power to run. The pads are also extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them without discomfort for a long time.
The ERA-1s are competing against headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market that is dominated by high-end, moderately priced planar magnetic models. In this crowded market, it takes more than a great brand name and a low-price tag to make a mark. I have listened to a track of Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives include a variety instruments, like electric guitars and bass, flute, saxophone, and many more. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing clarity and precision even at high volume.
ERA-2
It was a step ahead of its time, Quad's initial headphone was awe-inspiring and drew acclaim from both consumers and critics. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide and high-quality headphone that offers rich bass, delicate, articulate mids, pristine highs, and a large and intimate soundstage, without restricting. It's hard to imagine a headphone with greater transparency, a proper tonal balance, and the kind of believable separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with musicians.
The ear cups are made of a breathable and lightweight material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to block unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers also are acoustically matched to very precise tolerances, which results in excellent transient response and high resolution. Its slim and sleek design makes it easy to transport. It also has a headphone cable that can be detached with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, making it easy to make custom cables for aftermarket use.
Contrary to electrostatic headphones that require a specific bias voltage and very high-voltage audio signal to function, 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 storage power, and can therefore reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
I tried various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding imaging and articulation, which was particularly evident in a piece with string music. Each note was clearly defined in space. It was less flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this respect, which offers a more natural and full-bodied presentation. Both are able to track the shape of notes with a remarkable precision, but the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It also has a softer sound, making it more suitable for use on mobile devices.
ERA-3
The majority of headphones priced under $1000 have a the sound of too closed-in and boxed-in. The ERA-1 has the openness and transparency that you expect from a 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! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor for Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.
Planar headphones use an ultra-thin membrane between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones that require a separate headphone amplifier to produce the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal needed to drive their diaphragms. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, reducing the distortion of intermodulation caused by inductance.
Planars can also be controlled by a portable audio player equipped with a driver sufficiently sensitive. 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 require a high-quality headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, excellent clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a quick response which makes it easy to follow the 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 discovered that the notes for the string had excellent separation and were exceptionally clear.
Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers a more accurate imaging and a better separation of instruments. It is a little more relaxed than the Amiron however it still has amazing clarity and a stunning black background. I then listened to the jazz quartet semi-improv piece by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl cut) to see how the ERA-1 performed with drums, flute, electric guitar, and saxophone; this track requires extreme speed and dynamic range to reproduce accurately. Its remarkable phase coherency and clarity were evident, as was the bass that was both tight and deep.
ERA-4
Quad has returned to the headphone market after a long absence. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's heritage with electrostatic speakers. It features a thin diaphragm that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are which are tuned to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time, which provides better phase coherency as well as peak reconstruction. Its lightweight and comfortable design also means you can wear it for lengthy listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a great choice for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage that has excellent clarity. It is more user-friendly than many other 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 are cushioned and soft, which makes them more comfortable for extended listening sessions. The soundstage is wide, and its high-frequency response has excellent transient response. The midrange is clear and natural, and its bass has plenty of depth.
Contrary to other headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is the same on both sides of the headphone, allowing for equal sound quality across both ears. This is a must 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 from Quad is a great choice for those who want the most excellent sound. Its slim profile design and light construction make it a simple to fit on any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, a spare set of with earpads, and a carry bag. It is ideal for trips. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced by a custom-made one.
The Quad ERA-1 is a good option for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers a full soundstage and excellent imaging. Additionally, its smooth and clear sound is suitable for any genre of music. The rich detail, as well as clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at the best price and is available from a variety of online retailers.