10 Things Everyone Hates About Planar Headphones

Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

The first headphones of Quad are the direct result of the iconic ESL electrostatic loudspeakers which have been part of British Hi-Fi for over 30 years. The ERA-1 offer high efficiency low impedance and performance that mirrors their renowned ESL speakers.

The sturdy construction and premium finish give them a luxurious feeling however they're comfortable and light in contrast to other designs. Two kinds of earpads are included with one made of soft leather, and the other of latex with fleece fabric. This gives you a more personalised fit and better acoustic performance.

ERA-1

The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic earphone that has a very high degree of clarity and soundstage expansion. They can be used for studio, home audio and DJ work, as well as for use on mobile devices. They have a very lightweight diaphragm that is positioned between two magnets that gives a smooth frequency response without any phase shifts. This is unlike traditional dynamic cone drivers, which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s have a clear and clear sound, with accurate and detailed vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that's not overpowering. The treble is crisp and inviting, while the midrange is nuanced.

The soundstage is larger than that of other headphones at the same price. The earpads are constructed of leather with a soft surface, and the headband is adorned with leather. The design is simple and elegant, with a minimal look that is in line with its high-quality audio. The cable is detachable and has a standard TRS plug. This makes it easy to swap or replace when needed. The package includes a hardshell carrying bag as well as an additional pair of earpads with different sound signatures.

One of the great things about the ERA-1 is that they can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not light on the ears, but they are still much lighter than other high-end headphones with similar performance. Moreover, they are very efficient and don't require much 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 a market that is heavily packed with moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. In this crowded market, it takes more than a good brand name and a low-price label to stand out. I have listened to a track of Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature various instruments, including electric guitars, bass, flute and the saxophone. The ERA-1s reproduced the track with astonishing clarity and precision even at high volume.

ERA-2

The first headphones of Quad were hailed as a technology breakthrough by both customers and critics. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the magic of the company's legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide transparent, transparent headphone that has rich bass, delicate articulate mids, clear highs and a broad intimate soundstage that isn't restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone that has an ideal tonal balance, and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're in the studio right alongside the musicians.

The ear cups are constructed of a breathable and lightweight material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its patented nonlinear vibration suppressing technology is designed to reduce unwanted reverberations inside the headphones. This improves clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are also tuned acoustically to extremely precise tolerances, which results in a high detail and transient response. The slim and sleek design makes it easy to transport. It also comes with a detachable cord that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect aftermarket cables.

Unlike electrostatic headphones, which require a specific voltage of bias and a very high-voltage audio signal in order to operate the headphones, planar-magnetic designs can be powered by the output of a majority of portable digital audio players, or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide an even more natural and immersive listening experience than standard headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has less stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds better than headphones with a larger diaphragm.

I used different pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as modern recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding clarity and imaging, which was particularly evident on the music with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. However it was a bit less flesh-and bone than the LCD-X, which has a fuller and more natural sound. Both of them can track the shape of the notes with astonishing accuracy. However the ERA-1 just sounds more coherent. It's also lighter in sound, which makes it more suitable for mobile use.

ERA-3

The majority of headphones priced under $1000 have a a sonic signature which sounds too boxed in and closed. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness that you would expect from a traditional planar design. The headphone's lightweight weight and low force of clamping make it suitable for long listening sessions - our listeners include SoundStage! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins, a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and saxophonist from Los Angeles, LeRena Major.

Planar headphones feature a very thin membrane that is sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones, which require a separate headphone amp to produce the bias voltage and the high-voltage audio signal that is required to drive their diaphragms. This means all parts of the diaphragm sound equally and eliminates intermodulation distortion due to inductance which can make electrostatic drivers sound bright or edgy sound.

Another benefit of planars is their capacity to be driven by an audio player that is portable with an appropriately sensitive driver. The ERA-1 headphones are one of the few that can be used in this way. However, to get the most out of them, you'll require an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, exceptional clarity, and an exceptionally smooth and natural midrange. It has a quick response that makes it simple to follow the strings in complex arrangements. I tried 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.

As compared to the superior but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It is a little more comfortable than the Amiron, but still provides 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 see how well the ERA-1 reproduced the drums, electric guitarist, flute, and saxophone. This track requires a high dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable phase coherency, detail, and bass were evident.

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 uses a thin, high-quality diaphragm and is surrounded by drivers that are aligned to precise tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm including the earpieces, be vibrating simultaneously. This improves phase coherency and the reconstruction of signals with peaks. Its lightweight and comfortable design means that you can wear it for lengthy listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is an excellent choice for those who require a clear and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It is much easier to operate than many other planar headphones and can be used on any mobile or portable audio device. It's low impedance makes it suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, making them more comfortable for long listening sessions. Its soundstage is spacious and its high-frequency sensitivity is a great transient response. Its midrange is accurate and natural, and its bass is full of depth.

In contrast to most headphones that have driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on both sides of the headphone, allowing for equal performance across both ears. This feature is crucial for those who enjoy listening to music with other people or in groups. Additionally the ERA-1's open back design provides good sound isolation and reduced bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option to get the most excellent sound. The design is low-profile, making it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carrying case and an additional set of earpads. This makes it a great choice to take on trips. The ERA-1 also comes with an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced by a custom-made one.

When compared to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great option for those who love classic hi-fi. Its open-back design provides a wide soundstage and great imaging. Additionally, its neutral and transparent sound is ideal for any genre of music. planar earphones and detailed vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from several online retailers at a very affordable price.

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Pub: 21 Mar 2024 20:07 UTC
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