Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
The first headphones of Quad are the direct result of the famous ESL electrostatic loudspeakers which have been a part of British Hi-Fi for nearly 30 years. The ERA-1 headphones have low impedance, high efficiency and performance that is comparable to the renowned ESL speakers.
The sturdy construction and high-end finish make them feel luxurious, but they are still light and comfortable in comparison to other plansar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included one made of soft leather, and the other of latex with fleece fabric. This allows for a more tailored fit and better audio quality.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with an extremely high level of transparency and soundstage expansion. They are ideal for studio work, home DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is very light and set between two magnets. This allows for an even response to frequency with no any phase shifts. This is different from conventional dynamic cone speakers, with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound with precise vocals. They also have a deep bass that is not overwhelming. The treble is clear and inviting while the midrange is naive.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones that are priced at this level. The headband and earpads have leather-like surfaces that have a soft, comfortable feel. Its design is simple and elegant and minimalist in appearance that matches its high-performance audio. It has an ordinary TRS connector that is detachable, which makes it easy to swap out if you need to. The package includes a hardshell carry bag and an additional pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.
The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not light however they are much more compact than other top-quality headphones with comparable performance. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and don't require a lot of power to operate. The pads are also extremely soft texture, which means you can wear them with no discomfort for many hours.
The ERA-1s are competing against headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market dominated by premium, moderately priced planar-magnetic models. In this crowded market it requires more than a great brand name and a low-price tag to stand out. To find out how the ERA-1s perform compared to other models I played a track by Alter Natives, a band that performs percussive, rhythmic improv jazz. Their songs feature diverse instruments such as electric guitars flute, bass, and saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with incredible accuracy and clarity even at high volume.
ERA-2
It was a step ahead of its time, the first Quad headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic speakers into an open and transparent headphone that has deep bass, soft articulate mids, clear, highs and a wide and intimate soundstage, without restricting. It's difficult to imagine a headphone that has greater transparency, a proper tonal balance, and the kind of believable separation of instruments that makes you believe you're actually in the studio with the musicians.
The ear cups are made of a lightweight, breathable material that provides comfort for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to reduce unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. Home Page -1's drivers are also tuned acoustically to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in superb transient response and high resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it easy to carry around. It also comes with a detachable headphone cable with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, making it easy to connect custom aftermarket cables.
The magnetic headphones of Planar can be powered either by the output from most portable digital audio players, or by an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide a more immersive and natural listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower storage power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds better than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
To test the ERA-1 I played an array of music, including classical works and contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have excellent imaging and articulation, which was evident in an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. It was less flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this respect, which is more natural and rounded presentation. Both are able to track the shape of notes with incredible precision, but the ERA-1 is just more coherent. It also has a lower volume and therefore more suitable for mobile use.
ERA-3
With the exception of the best planars, the majority of headphones in the sub-$1000 range have a sonic signature that sounds too confined and sealed into. ERA-1 delivers openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar-style 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 to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.
As opposed to electrostatic headphones that need a separate headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal which drives their diaphragms, planars use an ultra-thin diaphragm set between two magnets. This means all parts of the diaphragm sound equally and remove the intermodulation distortion caused by inductance that can make electrostatic drivers sound bright or edgy sound.
Another benefit of planars is the ability to be driven by an audio player that is portable with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 headphones are one of a few that can be used this manner. To get the most out of them, you'll need a good headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, excellent clarity and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a fast 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 I found that the notes on the strings were well separated and exceptionally clear.
As compared to the superior but comparatively expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more relaxed than the Amiron, but still provides amazing clarity and a stunning 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 cut) to hear how the ERA-1 performed with drums, electric guitar, flute and saxophone. The track requires a lot of speed and dynamic range to reproduce accurately. Its impressive phase coherency and detail were apparent, as was the bass, which was both tight and deep.
ERA-4
After a long absence from the headphone market Quad is back with their first-ever headphones. The ERA-1 is a planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's legacy with electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm that is surrounded by drivers that are tuned to precise tolerances. This allows all parts of the diaphragms to vibrate simultaneously, which provides greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means you can wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic option for music lovers who want a detailed and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It's easier to drive than many planar headphones and works with any mobile phone or portable audio player. Its low impedance allows it to be used with all amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to ensure they are comfortable. The soundstage is spacious in feel and its high frequency response is a great transient. The midrange is clear and natural, and its bass has plenty of depth.
The ERA-1 features identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal sound quality in both ears. This is a feature that is important for listeners who like to listen to music in a group or share it with friends. The open-backed design of ERA-1 gives excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleeding from external sources.
If you are looking for a headphone that will give you the best sound quality, then consider the ERA-1 model from Quad. Its low-profile design and lightweight construction make it a simple to use for any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carry case, spare set of earpads and a carrying bag. It's a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 also has an unattachable cable that can be replaced with a custom one.
When compared to other headphones When compared to other headphones Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who appreciate classic hi-fi. Its open-back design offers a full soundstage and excellent imaging. Additionally, its clear and neutral sound is perfect for any genre of music. Its clear and detailed vocals are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from various online retailers at a very affordable price.