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Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with their iconic ESL electrostatic panel speakers, Quad has released its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones have low impedance, high efficacy and performance that is similar to the renowned ESL speakers.

A robust design and a high-end finish give a luxurious feel though they are still comfortable and light in comparison to other planar designs. Two kinds of ear pads are included - one which is made of soft leather and the second from is made of latex, topped with fleece that allows for personal tailoring for preferred comfort and acoustic characteristics.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency and a vast soundstage. They are suitable for studio, home audio and DJ work as well as for use on mobile devices. They feature a light diaphragm set between two magnets, which provides an even frequency response, without any phase shifts. This is different from traditional dynamic cone drivers which have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s have a clear and clear sound, with clear and precise vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, rich bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble is clear and enticing quality, whereas the mid-range is well-defined and focused.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads and headbands are made of a leather surface with softness. The minimalist design of the earpads matches its high-performance sound. The cable is detachable and comes with a standard TRS plug. This makes it simple to change or replace it when needed. It also comes with a hardshell carrying case 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 very comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light however they are much lighter than other high-end headphones that have similar performance. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and do not require much power to operate. The ear pads also have a very soft texture, so you can wear them without discomfort for long hours.

The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze and MrSpeakers in an industry that is packed with moderately priced, high-quality planar magnetic designs. In this crowded market it requires more than a good brand name and a cheap label to stand out. To determine how the ERA-1s stack up against other models I played a song by Alter Natives, a band that plays percussive, rhythmic jazz improv. Their songs include diverse instruments, including electric guitars, bass, Planar magnetic drivers flute and saxophone. The ERA-1s recreated this track with amazing accuracy and clarity, even at high volume.

ERA-2

The first headphones from Quad were hailed as a technology breakthrough by both the critics and the customers. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers into an open and high-quality headphone that offers deep bass, delicate, articulate mids, pristine highs and a broad, intimate soundstage without being restrictive. It's hard to imagine a better headphone than one that has a proper tonal equilibrium, and believable instrument separation and makes you feel as if you're in the studio right with the musicians.

The ear cups are made from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. The patented nonlinear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations in the headphones. This enhances clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically matched with very tight tolerances. This results in excellent transient response and detail resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it easy to transport. It also has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to use aftermarket cables.

The magnetic headphones of Planar can be powered either by the output from the majority of portable digital audio players, or by an external headphone amp. This allows them to deliver a more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have lower stored energy, which means that they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones that have a larger diaphragm.

I tried various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have excellent clarity and imaging, which was evident in the music with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. It was more flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this regard and has a more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both of them can track the shape of the notes with astonishing precision. However, the ERA-1 is more coherent in its sound. It also has a more mellow sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

The majority of headphones priced under $1000 have a an sonic sound that sounds too cloistered and boxed-Immerse in Pure Audio Bliss with Letshuoer S12. ERA-1 delivers the openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar design. The headphone is lightweight and has a low force of clamping which makes it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! 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 utilize a thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This is different from electrostatic headphones, which require a separate headphone amplifier to generate the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal required to drive their diaphragms. This allows all the parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, thus reducing intermodulation distortion caused by inductance.

Another advantage of planars is their capacity to be driven by a portable digital audio player with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used this way, but to unlock the full potential of these headphones, you'll require a high-quality headphone amplifier.

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

In comparison to the superb but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and planar magnetic drivers more precise imaging. It's more relaxed, but it still has great clarity and black background. I then listened to the jazz quartet semi-improv piece performed by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter - Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl copy) to hear how the ERA-1 performed with drums electric guitar, flute and saxophone. The track requires extreme speed and dynamic range to reproduce precisely. Its impressive phase coherency as well as clarity were evident, as was the bass that was tight and full of depth.

ERA-4

After a long hiatus from the market for headphones, Quad is back with their first-ever headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's heritage of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin diaphragm that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are matched to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragm to move simultaneously and provides better phase coherency and signal peak reconstruction. Its lightweight and comfortable design also means that you can wear it for lengthy listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic option for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage with superb imaging. It's easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and is compatible with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance quotient makes it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, which makes them more comfortable during long listening sessions. Its soundstage has a spacious feel and its high frequency response is a great transient. Its midrange and bass are both natural and accurate.

The ERA-1 has identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal performance for both ears. This feature is essential for those who like listening to music with other people or in groups. Moreover the ERA-1's open-backed design provides good sound isolation and reduced bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone by Quad is a great option for those who want the most powerful sound. The slim design makes it easy to fit any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case, spare set of headphones and a bag for carrying. It is an excellent choice for travel. The ERA-1 also comes with an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced by a custom-made one.

In comparison to other headphones When compared to other headphones Quad ERA-1 is a great option 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 genres of music. The rich detail and clear vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from various online stores at an affordable cost.