7 Things About Planar Headphones You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review

After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with iconic ESL electrostatic panel loudspeakers Quad has launched its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones feature low impedance, high efficacy and performance that mirrors the renowned ESL speakers.

The sturdy construction and high-end finish provide a luxurious feel however they're comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other plansar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included, one of which is made of soft leather, and the other latex topped with fleece fabric that allows for individualization for the best comfort and acoustic qualities.

ERA-1

Quad ERA-1 headphones have a high degree of transparency and a vast soundstage. They are perfect for home and studio DJ work, audio and mobile use. They have a diaphragm that is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency, without the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is in contrast to traditional dynamic cone speakers, that have a sloping frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, with precise and precise vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, rich bass that doesn't overwhelm. The treble has a crisp and inviting quality, while the mid-range is nuanced and focused.

The soundstage is more spacious than other headphones in the same price range. The earpads and headbands are made of leather surfaces with softness. The design is simple and elegant and has a minimalist look that matches its high-performance audio. The cable has an ordinary TRS connector, and it is detachable, making it simple to swap it out if you want to. It also comes with a hardshell carrying case and an additional pair of earpads for different sound styles.

One of the most appealing aspects about the ERA-1 is that they can be very comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not lightweight, but they are lighter than other premium headphones with comparable performance. Moreover, they are very efficient and don't require the use of a lot of power to operate. The ear pads are extremely soft, meaning that you can wear them for hours without discomfort.

The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily populated by moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. But making a mark in this competitive market requires more than just having a great name and a reasonable price tag. I was listening to a track from Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs by Alter Natives use various instruments, like electric guitars and flute, bass as well as saxophone and saxophone. what is a planar headphone -1s reproduced the track with incredible accuracy and clarity, even at high volume.

ERA-2

Ahead of its time, Quad's first headphone elicited awe and reverence from both critics and consumers. The ERA-1 seeks to recreate the awe-inspiring sound of the legendary electrostatic loudspeakers. It's an open, transparent headphone that has deep bass, delicate and articulate mids, pristine highs, and a large soundstage that is intimate, but not constricting. It's difficult to imagine a headset with better transparency, proper tonal balance, and the kind of believable separation of instruments that makes you think you're actually in the studio with the musicians.


The ear cups are made of a lightweight, breathable material for comfort during long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted resonances in the headphones, enhancing clarity and precision. The ERA-1 drivers are also acoustically matched with extremely tight tolerances. This results in outstanding transient response and a high resolution for detail. Its sleek and compact design makes it simple to transport. It also has a detachable headphone cable with two standard 3.5mm TRS connectors, which makes it easy to make custom cables for aftermarket use.

Planar-magnetic headphones can be driven either through the output of the majority of portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amp. This allows them deliver a more immersive and natural listening experience than traditional headphones. The ERA-1's magnetic drivers are planar. also have a lower stored energy, which means they can reproduce low frequencies more easily than other headphones with a bigger diaphragm.

I tried various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical pieces as well as contemporary recordings. I found that the ERA-1 had excellent articulation and image quality, which was especially evident on a piece of string music, with each note clearly outlined in space. However it was less flesh-and-bone-like than the LCD-X, which has a fuller and more natural sound. Both are able to recognize the shape of notes with remarkable accuracy, but the ERA-1 is more consistent. It's also quieter, which makes it more suitable for mobile usage.

ERA-3

Most headphones under $1000 have the sound of too closed-in and boxed-in. The ERA-1 offers the openness and transparency you are used to from a planar. The headphone is extremely light and has a low force of clamping, making it comfortable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Brent Butterworth, solo editor; John Higgins a music performance graduate from USC and regular contributor for Wirecutter and Sound & Vision and Los Angeles saxophonist LeRena Minor.

In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which need a separate headphone amplifier to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal that drives their diaphragms, planars use an ultra-thin diaphragm set between two magnets. This means all parts of the diaphragm resonate equally, eliminating inductance-related intermodulation distortion which can make electrostatic drivers sound bright or edgy sound.

Another advantage 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 among a few that can be used this manner. However, to get the most out of them, you'll require an effective headphone amplifier.

The ERA-1 provides a large soundstage, exceptional clarity, and a smooth and natural midrange. It has a quick response that makes it simple to follow the notes of the string 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 extremely clear and had a great separation.

In comparison to the superb but expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more comfortable than the Amiron however it still has great detail and excellent 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 see how the ERA-1 reproduced the electric guitar, drums flute, saxophone, and flute. The track requires an extreme dynamic range and speed to reproduce it accurately. The ERA-1's impressive phase coherency, detail, and bass were all apparent.

ERA-4

Quad is back in the headphone market after an extended absence. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones are built on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It features a thin diaphragm that is surrounded by high-quality drivers matched to close tolerances. This allows all parts of the diaphragms to vibrate simultaneously, which provides greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. The light and comfortable design lets you wear it for longer listening sessions.

The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music fans who want a detailed and open soundstage, with excellent imaging. It's easier to drive than most planar headphones and is compatible with any smartphone or portable audio player. Its low impedance rating makes it compatible with most amplifiers. The earcups are cushioned and soft, which makes them more comfortable for extended listening sessions. Its soundstage is large in feel and its high frequency response has a superb transient response. Its midrange and bass are both precise and natural.

The ERA-1 has identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This ensures equal performance in both ears. This is a feature that is essential for those who enjoy listening to music in a crowd, or share it with friends. Furthermore the ERA-1's open back design provides excellent sound isolation and reduces bleeding from external sources.

The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great option if you want the most powerful sound. The slim design makes it easy to adapt to any shape of head. The headphone comes with a carry case as well as an additional set of earpads. This makes it an ideal option to take on trips. The ERA-1 has a detachable cord that can be customized.

The Quad ERA-1 is a good choice for those who enjoy classic hi-fi. The open-backed design provides an extensive soundstage, great imaging, and a neutral and transparent sound that is suitable for all kinds of music. Its deep detail, and clear vocals are impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from a variety of online retailers for an affordable price.