Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After establishing British Hi-Fi as the leader since 1936 with their iconic ESL electrostatic panel speakers, Quad has released its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 provide high efficiency, low impedance and performance that mirrors their renowned ESL speakers.
The robust construction and high-end finish give them a luxurious feeling however they're light and comfortable in comparison to other planar designs. Two types of earpads come included, one made of soft leather, and the other made of fleece and latex. This allows for a more tailored fit and better audio quality.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphone with the highest degree of transparency and soundstage expansion. They are suitable for
Planar magnetic headphone home, studio and DJ work, as well as mobile use. They have a diaphragm that is extremely light and positioned between two magnets. This provides smooth response to frequency, without the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is different from traditional dynamic cone drivers that have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s have a clear and clear sound, as well as accurate and detailed vocals. They also have a deep and full bass that's not overwhelming. The treble has a clear and inviting quality, while the mid-range is nuanced and clear.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is a lot bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads are made from leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is adorned with leather. The minimalist design of the earpads matches its high-end sound. It has a standard TRS connector, and it is detachable, which makes it simple to swap it out if you require to. The package includes a hardshell carrying bag and an extra pair of earpads with different sound characteristics.
The ERA-1 can be comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however they are significantly lighter than other premium headphones that have similar capabilities. They're also very efficient and require little 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 compete with headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN and MrSpeakers in an industry that is packed with moderately priced, high-quality
planar magnetic headphones explained-magnetic designs. In a crowded market it requires more than a good brand name and a low-cost tag to stand out. To see how the ERA-1s compare to 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 such as electric guitars flute, bass, and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced this track with amazing accuracy and clarity even at high volumes.
ERA-2
Ahead of its time, Quad's initial headphone garnered awe and admiration from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 seeks to capture the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide and clear headphone with rich bass, delicate articulate mids, crystal clear highs, and a large and intimate soundstage, without constricting. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone than one that has an ideal tonal balance, and convincing separation of instruments, making you feel like you're in the studio with the musicians.
The earcups are constructed of a breathable and lightweight material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers are also tuned acoustically to extremely precise tolerances, which results in a high transient response and high resolution. Its compact and sleek design makes it easy for transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect cables from aftermarket.
Contrary to electrostatic headphones that require a specific bias voltage and extremely high-voltage audio signal to operate they can be driven by the output of most portable digital audio players, or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to deliver an even more natural and immersive listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1's planar magnetic drivers also have a lower stored energy, which means they can reproduce low frequencies with greater ease than other headphones that have a larger diaphragm.
To test the ERA-1 I tried various pieces of music, including some classical works and contemporary recordings. I found that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and imaging, which was especially evident on a piece string music, with every note being clearly outlined in space. It was more flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this regard, which has a more natural and rounded presentation. Both devices can track the shapes of the notes with incredible accuracy. However, the ERA-1 just sounds more coherent. It also has a more mellow sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.
ERA-3
Most headphones under $1000 have an sonic sound that sounds too closed-in and boxed-in. The ERA-1 has the transparency and openness you expect from a planar design. The headphone is light and has a low clamping force, making it comfortable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins who is a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles-based saxophonist LeRena Major.
In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a separate headphone amplifier to generate the necessary bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms. Planars make use of a thin diaphragm that is placed between two magnets. This means all parts of the diaphragm sound equally, eliminating inductance-related intermodulation distortion that can make electrostatic drivers sound edgy or bright sound.
Another advantage of planars is the ability to be driven by the portable digital audio player with a sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is among the few headphones that can be used this method, however to realize their full potential you will require a high-quality headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, great clarity, and a natural smooth midrange. It also has a fast 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 were well separated and remarkably well defined.
Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers more precise image and better separation of instruments. It's a bit more comfortable than the Amiron however it still has outstanding clarity and a black background. I then played the jazz-improv part of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip), to hear how well the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. This track requires extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce the music accurately. Its impressive phase coherency and detail were apparent as was the bass that was both tight and deep.
ERA-4
Quad is back in the market for headphones after a long absence. The ERA-1 is a
planar magnetic headphone that builds on the company's legacy with electrostatic speakers. It uses a thin, high-quality diaphragm surrounded by drivers that are tuned to tight tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm, including the earpieces to move simultaneously. This improves the coherence of phase and the reconstruction of the peaks of signal. Its light and comfortable design means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.