14 Common Misconceptions Concerning Planar Headphones

Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

The first headphones from Quad are the direct result of the famous ESL electrostatic loudspeakers that have been a part of British Hi-Fi for nearly 30 years. The ERA-1 headphones feature low impedance, high efficiency and performance that is comparable to the legendary ESL speakers.

Robust construction and premium finish deliver a luxurious feel though they are still comfortable and light compared to many planar designs. Two types of earpads come included one made of soft leather and another made of fleece and latex. This allows for a more tailored fit and better acoustic performance.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high level of transparency and a wide soundstage. They are suitable for studio, home audio and DJ work as well as for mobile use. They feature a light diaphragm set between two magnets, which offers a smooth frequency response without phase irregularities. This is unlike traditional dynamic cone drivers which have a less even frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound with precise vocals. They also have a deep bass that is not overpowering. The treble is clear and inviting while the midrange is well-balanced.

The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones in this price range. The earpads are made of leather with a soft, smooth surface. the headband is lined with leather. Its minimalist design matches its high-performance sound. The cable can be detached and has an ordinary TRS plug. This makes it simple to switch or replace it in the event of a need. The package comes with a hardshell carrying bag as well as an additional pair of earpads with different sound characteristics.

One of the great things about the ERA-1 is that they can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however they are considerably lighter than other high-end headphones that have similar performance. Furthermore, they are efficient and don't require a lot of power to run. The ear pads are also extremely soft, which means that you can wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.

The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze, HiFiMAN, and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily populated by moderately priced, high-quality planar headphone-magnetic designs. In a market that is crowded it requires more than a good brand name and a cheap label to stand out. I listened to a track by Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives feature diverse instruments like electric guitars and bass, flute, saxophone, and many more. The ERA-1s reproduced this track with incredible accuracy and clarity even at high volumes.

ERA-2

The first headphones of Quad were hailed as a tech breakthrough by both critics and customers. The ERA-1 is a bid to capture the awe-inspiring qualities of Quad's legendary electrostatic speakers into an open transparent, high-quality headphone that offers deep bass, delicate articulate mids, crystal clear highs, and a large and intimate soundstage, without constricting. It's difficult to imagine a headphone with more transparency, better tonal balance and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with the musicians.

The ear cups are made from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to eliminate unwanted resonances in the headphones, enhancing clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances. This results in outstanding transient response and detail resolution. The sleek and compact design makes it simple to carry around. It also has a detachable cable that has two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it easy to connect cables from aftermarket.

These headphones can be powered either through the output of the majority of portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide a much more natural and immersive listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's magnetic drivers are planar. also have less stored energy, which means they can reproduce low frequencies with greater ease than other headphones with a larger diaphragm.

To test the ERA-1 I tried a wide range of music, including classical works and contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb clarity and imaging, which was evident in the music with strings. Each note was clearly separated in space. However, it was a little less flesh-and-bone-like than the LCD-X in this regard it has a more full and more natural presentation. Both can track the shapes of the notes with remarkable accuracy. However the ERA-1 is more coherent in its sound. It also has a more mellow sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

With the exception of the very best planars, most headphones in the sub-$1000 range have a distinctive sonic sound that sounds too closed and sealed into. ERA-1 delivers openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar design. The headphone's light weight and low force of clamping make it suitable for long listening sessions - our listeners include SoundStage! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and a regular contributor for Wirecutter and bottlebee.phasecommu.com Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.

headset planar headphones use an ultra-thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones that require a separate headphone amplifier to produce the bias voltage and high voltage audio signal that is required to drive their diaphragms. This allows all components of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, which reduces the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.

Another advantage of planars is the ability to be driven by an audio player that is portable equipped with a driver that is sensitive enough. The ERA-1 headphones are one of the few that can be used in this way. To maximize the use of them, you'll need an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 has a large soundstage, superb clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a quick response that makes it simple to follow the string notes in complicated 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 string notes were remarkably defined and had a great separation.

Compared with the excellent but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a little more relaxed, however it's still a great sound with excellent clarity and black background. I then played the jazz-improv portion of Alter Natives' Over The Counter - Culture album on the SST Label (24/96 vinyl rip) to hear how the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. The track requires an extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce accurately. The ERA-1's impressive phase coherency, detail, and bass were all apparent.

ERA-4

Quad has returned to the headphone market after an extended absence. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It uses a thin diaphragm that is surrounded by high-quality drivers that are matched to tight tolerances. This allows all parts of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time which results in greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means you can wear it for long listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic option for music lovers who want a rich and spacious soundstage, with outstanding sound quality and excellent image. It is much easier to operate than many other planar headphones and can be used on any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance makes them suitable for use with many amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, which makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The soundstage is wide and its high-frequency sensitivity has excellent transient response. Its midrange is accurate and natural, and its bass is full of depth.

The ERA-1 has the same drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal sound quality in both ears. This feature is essential for those who love listening to music with others or in groups. The open-backed design of the ERA-1 offers excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleed from external sources.

If you are looking for a headphone which will give you the best sound quality, consider the ERA-1 from Quad. The design is low-profile, making it easy to fit any head shape. The headphone comes with a carry case, spare set of with earpads, and a carry bag. It is a great option for traveling. The ERA-1 comes with a cord that can be detachable that can be customized.

In comparison to other headphones When compared to other headphones Quad ERA-1 is a great option for those who love classic hi-fi. Its open-backed design gives it an expansive soundstage and superb imaging. Additionally, its clear and neutral sound is perfect for any music genre. Its deep detail, and clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from a variety of online retailers for an affordable cost.