Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers Quad has delivered its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 offer high efficiency low impedance and performance that mirrors their famous ESL speakers.
Robust construction and premium finish provide a luxurious experience, even though they are still comfortable and light in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of ear pads are included, one of which is made of soft leather and the other made of latex and topped with fleece that allows for individualization for the best comfort and acoustic characteristics.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has a very high degree of transparency and soundstage expansion. They can be used for studio, home audio and DJ work as well as for mobile use. They feature a diaphragm which is extremely light and positioned between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency, without phase irregularities. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers, that have a sloping frequency response. The ERA-1s provide a clear and open sound with accurate vocals. They also have a full and full bass that's not overpowering. The treble is clean and inviting, while the midrange is well-balanced.
The soundstage is larger than the other headphones that are in the same price range. The headband and earpads have leather surfaces with a soft, comfortable feel. Its design is simple and elegant and has a minimalist look that is in line with its high-quality audio. The cable is detachable and comes with a standard TRS plug. This makes it easy to switch or replace it when needed. The package includes a hardshell carrying bag as well as an additional pair of earpads with different sound characteristics.
The ERA-1 is comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not the heaviest on the ears however, they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones that offer similar capabilities. Additionally, they are extremely efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to operate. The ear pads also have a extremely soft and comfortable texture, meaning you can wear them without discomfort for a long time.
The ERA-1s are competing with headphones from Audeze and HiFiMAN in a market dominated by high-quality, moderately-priced planar-magnetic models. But making a mark in this competitive market requires more than just an appealing name and a low price tag. To determine how the ERA-1s stack up against other models, I played a song by Alter Natives, a band that performs percussive, rhythmic jazz improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass and saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with amazing accuracy and clarity, even at high volume.
planars headphones -2
The first headphones from Quad were hailed as a technological breakthrough by both customers and critics. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers in an open, transparent and spacious headphone that features deep bass, soft and articulate mids, pristine highs, and a soundstage that is intimate but not restricting. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone that has a proper tonal equilibrium, and believable instrument separation and makes you feel as if you're in the studio right alongside the musicians.
The earcups are constructed of a light and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to eliminate unwanted resonances within the headphones, increasing clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances. This results in superb transient response, and a high resolution for detail. Its slim and elegant design makes it simple to carry around. It also has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect aftermarket cables.
These headphones can be powered either through the output of most portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to deliver a more natural and immersive listening experience than standard headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower stored power, and can therefore reproduce low-frequency sounds more easily than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
I tried different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as contemporary recordings. I was able to see that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and clarity and was particularly evident in a piece of string music, with each note clearly defined in space. However it was a bit less flesh-and-bone-like than the LCD-X in this respect, which has a fuller and more natural presentation. Both can track the shape of notes with remarkable accuracy, but the ERA-1 is just more consistent. It also has a lower volume, which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.
ERA-3
With the exception of the top planars, the majority of headphones priced under $1000 range have a sound signature that sounds too confined and sealed in. ERA-1 delivers openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar design. The headphone's light weight and low clamping force makes it comfortable for long listening sessions. Our listeners were SoundStage! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance student of USC and regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles-based saxophonist LeRena Major.
Planar headphones utilize a thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones that require a separate headphone amp to generate the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal that is required to drive their diaphragms. This means that all components of the diaphragm are equally resonant and remove the intermodulation distortion caused by inductance that can cause electrostatic drivers to emit an bright or edgy sound.
Planars can also be driven by an audio player portable with a driver that is sufficiently sensitive. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used this way, however, to fully unlock their full potential, you'll need an excellent headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, exceptional clarity, and an incredibly natural and smooth midrange. It has a quick response which makes it easy to follow the string notes in complex 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 notes on the strings were well-defined and had a great separation.
In comparison to the superb but more expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more relaxed, but it still has great detail and a black background. I then played the jazz improv piece of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip), to hear how the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist flute, saxophone, and flute. The track requires an extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music 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 is back in the headphone market after a long absence. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones builds on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin, high-quality diaphragm surrounded by drivers that are matched to tight tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm, including the earpieces, to vibrate simultaneously. This improves the phase coherency and the reconstruction of signal peaks. Its light and comfortable design means that you can wear it for long listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage that has excellent clarity. It's easier to drive than the majority of planar headphones and works with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance rating makes it compatible with most amplifiers. The earcups of the headphones are padded to make them more comfortable. The soundstage is wide and its high-frequency response is a great transient response. Its bass and midrange are natural and accurate.
Contrary to other headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on each side of the headphone. This allows for equal performance across both ears. This is a must for those who enjoy listening to music with other people or in groups. The open-backed design of ERA-1 offers great sound isolation and minimizes bleeding from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option to get the best sound. The design is low-profile, making it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone includes a carrying case, a spare set of with earpads, and a carry bag. It's ideal for trips. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced with a custom-made one.
In comparison to other headphones when compared to other headphones, the 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, and its smooth and clear sound is perfect for any genre of music. Its deep detail, and clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 is available at an affordable price and can be bought from several online retailers.