11 Creative Methods To Write About Planar Headphones
Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review
After spearheading British Hi-Fi since 1936 with their iconic ESL electrostatic panel speakers, Quad has delivered its first ever headphones. The ERA-1 headphones offer low impedance, high efficiency and performance that is comparable to the legendary ESL speakers.
The sturdy construction and high-end finish make them feel luxurious, but they are still comfortable and lightweight in comparison to other planar designs. Two kinds of earpads are included - one which is made of soft leather and the second from latex topped with fleece fabric that allows for individual tailoring to suit your preferences and acoustic qualities.
ERA-1
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage extension. They are perfect for home and studio DJ work, audio and mobile use. They feature a light diaphragm, which is placed between two magnets that provides a smooth frequency response with no phase irregularities. This is in contrast to traditional dynamic cone drivers, which have a more uneven frequency response. The ERA-1s have an open and clear sound, with precise and precise vocals. The ERA-1s have a full, deep bass that's not overpowering. The treble is clean and inviting and the midrange is nuanced.
The soundstage of the ERA-1 is much bigger than other headphones in this price range. The earpads and headbands are made of a leather surface with a soft, comfortable feel. The design is elegant and simple and has a minimalist look that complements its high-quality audio. The cable is equipped with the standard TRS connector and can be detached, which makes it easy to swap out if you require to. The package includes a hardshell carry bag and an additional pair of earpads featuring different sound signatures.
One of the great things about the ERA-1 is that it can be extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. They are not lightweight however, they are more compact than other top-quality headphones with comparable performance. They're also extremely efficient and require little power to operate. The ear pads are very soft, which means that you can wear them for long periods without feeling uncomfortable.
The ERA-1s compete against headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, and MrSpeakers in a market that is heavily filled with moderately priced, high-quality planar-magnetic designs. But being able to stand out in this market requires more than a good name and a reasonable price tag. To find out how the ERA-1s stack up against other models I played a track from Alter Natives, a band that performs percussive, rhythmic jazz improv. Their songs include various instruments that include electric guitars, flute, bass, and the saxophone. The ERA-1s recorded the track with amazing clarity and precision even at loud volumes.
ERA-2
It was a step ahead of its time, Quad's initial headphone elicited awe and reverence from both consumers and critics. The ERA-1 aims at capturing the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide transparent, clear headphone with deep bass, delicate articulate mids, clear highs and a broad, intimate soundstage without being constricting. It's difficult to imagine a headset with more transparency, better tonal balance and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're actually in the studio with musicians.
The ear cups are made of a lightweight, breathable material to ensure comfort during long listening sessions. The patented nonlinear vibration suppression technology is designed to suppress unwanted reverberations within the headphones. This improves clarity and accuracy. The ERA-1's drivers also are tuned acoustically to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in excellent transient response and high resolution. The sleek and compact 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 use aftermarket cables.
Contrary to electrostatic headphones that require a specific voltage of bias and a very high-voltage audio signal to function the headphones, planar-magnetic designs can be driven by the output of most portable digital audio players or an external headphone amplifier. This allows them to provide a more natural and immersive listening experience than conventional headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower stored power, so it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more effectively than headphones with a larger diaphragm.
I used various pieces of music to test the ERA-1. This included classical music as well as contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have superb imaging and articulation, which was particularly evident on an instrument with strings. Each note was clearly identified in space. It was less flesh-and bone than the LCDX in this respect and is more full-bodied and natural presentation. Both can track the shapes of notes with a remarkable precision however the ERA-1 is just more consistent. It also has a more mellow sound and is more suitable for mobile usage.
ERA-3
With the exception of the best planars, the majority of headphones priced under $1000 range have a distinctive sonic sound that sounds too closed and sealed in. The ERA-1 offers the transparency and openness you would expect from a planar design. The headphone is extremely light and has a low force of clamping which makes it suitable for long listening sessions. SoundStage was among our listeners! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins who is a music performance graduate of USC and regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and Los Angeles-based saxophonist LeRena Major.
Planar headphones use an ultra-thin membrane sandwiched between two magnets. This differs from electrostatic headphones which require a separate headphone amp 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, thus reducing the distortion caused by intermodulation due to inductance.
Another benefit of planars is their ability to be driven by an audio player that is portable with an appropriately sensitive driver. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used this way, but to unlock the full potential of these headphones, you'll require a top headphone amplifier.
The ERA-1 offers an expansive soundstage, exceptional clarity, and a natural and smooth midrange. It has a fast response that makes it easy 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 (16/44.1 FLAC, RCA), and found the string notes were well separated and exceptionally clear.
As compared to the superior but comparatively expensive MrSpeakers Amiron, the Quad ERA-1 offers better instrument separation and more precise imaging. It's a bit more comfortable than the Amiron, but still provides outstanding clarity and a 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 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 it accurately. Its remarkable phase coherency and detail were apparent as was the bass, which was both tight and deep.
ERA-4
After a long absence from the market for headphones, Quad is back with their first-ever headphone. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones build on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is surrounded by high-quality drivers matched to close tolerances. This allows every part of the diaphragms to vibrate at the same time, which provides greater phase coherency and peak reconstruction. Its light and comfortable design also means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions.
The ERA-1 is a fantastic choice for music lovers who want a detailed, open soundstage with excellent imaging. It is more user-friendly than many other planar headphones and it can be used with any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance rating allows it to be used with all amplifiers. The earcups are padded and soft, which makes them more comfortable for extended listening sessions. Its soundstage has a spacious feel and its high frequency response is a great transient. Its bass and midrange are accurate and natural.
visit the following webpage -1 features identical drivers on both sides of the headphone. This allows for equal performance for both ears. This is a must for those who enjoy listening to music with others or in groups. The open-backed design of ERA-1 provides excellent sound isolation and helps to reduce bleeding from external sources.
The ERA-1 headphone made by Quad is a great choice to get the most excellent sound. Its low-profile design and light construction make it a simple to fit on any head shape. The headphone includes a carrying case, a spare set of earpads and a carrying bag. It is ideal for trips. The ERA-1 also has an earphone that is detachable and can be replaced with a custom one.
In comparison to other headphones, the Quad ERA-1 is a great option for those who love classic hi-fi. Its open-backed design gives it a wide soundstage and great imaging. Additionally, its neutral and transparent sound is ideal for any genre of music. The rich detail and clear vocals are especially impressive. The ERA-1 is available for purchase at an affordable price, and is available from a variety of online retailers.