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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 launched its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones feature low impedance, high efficiency and performance that is similar to the renowned ESL speakers. Robust construction and high-end finish give a luxurious feel though they're still lightweight and comfortable when compared to other designs. Two kinds of earpads are included – one of which is made from soft leather and the second from made of latex and topped with fleece, giving a degree of individualization for the best comfort and acoustic characteristics. ERA-1 The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphone with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage extension. They are suitable for home, studio DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a diaphragm that is very light and set between two magnets. This gives an even response to frequency with no any phase shifts. This is in contrast to conventional dynamic cone speakers, with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, as well as precise and precise vocals. They also have a rich bass that is not overpowering. The treble is crisp and inviting while the midrange is nuanced. The soundstage of the ERA-1 is significantly larger than other headphones at this price. The earpads are constructed of leather with a soft surface, and the headband is lined with leather. Its minimalist design matches its high-performance sound. The cable can be detached and has a standard TRS plug. This makes it simple to change or replace it if necessary. It also comes with a carrying case made of hardshell and an additional pair of earpads that can be used for different sound signatures. The ERA-1 can be comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not lightweight however, they are lighter than other premium headphones with comparable performance. They're also very efficient and do not require a lot of power to operate. The ear pads are also extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable. The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily populated by moderately priced, high-quality planar magnetic designs. But standing out in this crowded market requires more than having a great name and a cheap cost. To find out how the ERA-1s perform compared to other models, I played a track from Alter Natives, a band which plays rhythmic, percussive jazz improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature various instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass and saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the tracks with astonishing clarity and precision even at high volume. ERA-2 Ahead of its time, the first Quad headphone garnered awe and admiration from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 aims to capture the magic of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers in an open, transparent and spacious headphone that features deep bass, soft and articulate mids, crystal clear highs and a soundstage that is intimate without being restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a headphone that has more transparency, better tonal balance, and the kind of convincing instrument separation that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with musicians. The ear cups are made of a lightweight, breathable material to ensure comfort during long listening sessions. The patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted resonances in the headphones, improving clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are acoustically matched to very tight tolerances, resulting in excellent transient response and high resolution. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to carry. It also has a headphone cable that can be detached with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, making it simple to make custom cables for aftermarket use. In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a specific bias voltage and very high-voltage audio signal to function, 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 deliver a more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have less stored energy, which means they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones with a larger diaphragm. I used various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have excellent image and articulation. This was particularly evident on the music with strings. Each note was clearly identified in space. However it was less flesh-and-bone than the LCD-X it has a more full and more natural sound. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with astonishing precision. However, the ERA-1 simply sounds more consistent. It also has a lower volume and therefore more suitable for use on mobile devices. ERA-3 Most headphones under $1000 have an sonic sound that sounds too cloistered and boxed-in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a traditional planar design. The headphone is extremely light and has a low clamping force making it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance student of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and Los Angeles-based saxophonist LeRena Major. In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which need an additional headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal which drives their diaphragms, planars utilize a diaphragm with a very thin profile that is set between two magnets. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, reducing the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance. Another advantage of planars is their ability to be driven by the portable digital audio player with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used in this way, but to unlock their full potential, you'll require a high-quality headphone amplifier. The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, great clarity, and a natural smooth midrange. It has a quick response that makes it easy to follow the strings in complicated arrangements. I tried the track “Mining for Gold” from the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session (24/44.1 FLAC) and discovered that the string notes were extremely clear and had a great separation. Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It provides more accurate imaging and a better separation of instruments. It's a bit more relaxed, however it still has excellent detail and a black background. I then played the jazz quartet semi-improv piece performed by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter – Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl rip) to hear the way the ERA-1 played with drums, flute, electric guitar and saxophone. The track requires a high speed and dynamic range to reproduce precisely. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase as well as its clarity and bass were all evident. ERA-4 Quad has returned to the market for headphones after an absence of over a year. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is surrounded by high-quality drivers which are tuned to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragm to vibrate at the same time which results in better phase coherency and signal peak reconstruction. go source 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 is easier to drive than many other planar headphones and it can be used with any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to ensure they are comfortable. The soundstage is large and its high-frequency response is excellent in its transient response. Its bass and midrange are natural and accurate. In contrast to most headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on both sides of the headphone, allowing for the same audio quality across both ears. This is a feature that is important for listeners who prefer to listen to music in a group, or share it with others. Moreover, the ERA-1's open-backed design offers good sound isolation and reduced bleed from external sources. If you're looking for a headphone which will provide the highest audio quality, you should consider the ERA-1 from Quad. The low-profile design makes it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carry case as well as an extra set of earpads. This makes it a great choice to take on trips. The ERA-1 comes with a cord that can be detachable that can be customized. When compared to other headphones When compared to other headphones Quad ERA-1 is a great choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. The open-backed design gives a wide soundstage, excellent imaging and a neutral and transparent sound that is suitable for all genres of music. Its clear and detailed vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at a great price, and it is available from a variety of online retailers.