20 Things You Need To Know About Planar Headphones

Quad ERA-1 Planar Headphones Review Quad's first headphones are a direct result of the iconic ESL electrostatic loudspeakers that have been a 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 robust construction and the premium finish provide an exquisite feel, yet they are still comfortable and light compared to many planar designs. Two types of earpads come included, one made of soft leather and the other made of latex and fleece. This allows for a more tailored fit and better sound quality. ERA-1 The Quad ERA-1 headphones are an open, planar-magnetic headphones with a very high degree of transparency and soundstage expansion. They are ideal for home, studio audio, DJ work and mobile use. They feature a diaphragm that is extremely light and placed between two magnets. This gives a smooth response to frequency with no the occurrence of phase irregularities. This is unlike conventional dynamic cone speakers, with a variable frequency response. The ERA-1s provide an open and clear sound that has accurate vocals. The ERA-1s are full and rich with bass that isn't overpowering. The treble is crisp and inviting while the midrange is well-balanced. The soundstage of the ERA-1 is a lot bigger than other headphones at this price. The earpads and the headband have leather surfaces with a soft, comfortable feel. The design is elegant and simple and minimalist in appearance that complements its high-quality audio. The cable can be detached and has an ordinary TRS plug. This makes it easy to swap or replace when needed. The package comes with a hardshell carrying bag and an extra pair of earpads featuring different audio signatures. The ERA-1 is a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They're not lightweight on the ears however, they are significantly lighter than other premium headphones with similar performance. They're also very efficient and require little power to operate. The ear pads also have a extremely soft texture, which means you can wear them without discomfort for long hours. The ERA-1s compete with headphones from Audeze HiFiMAN, Audeze, and MrSpeakers in an industry that is packed 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 cost. I have listened to a track of Alter Natives who perform percussive rhythmic improv. The songs of Alter Natives include diverse instruments including electric guitars, bass, flute, saxophone, and more. The ERA-1s recreated this track with incredible accuracy and clarity even at high volumes. ERA-2 Ahead of its time, the first Quad headphone was awe-inspiring and drew acclaim from both consumers and critics. The ERA-1 is a bid to capture the magic of the company’s legendary electrostatic speakers in a wide and clear headphone with deep bass, delicate articulate mids, crystal clear, highs and a wide intimate soundstage that isn't restrictive. It's difficult to imagine a better headphone than one that has an appropriate tonal balance and convincing separation of instruments that makes you feel like you're in the studio with the musicians. The ear cups are constructed from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable for long listening sessions. Its unique patented non-linear vibration suppression technology is designed to block unwanted resonances within the headphones, increasing clarity and precision. The ERA-1's drivers are also audio-acoustically tuned to extremely tight tolerances, resulting in a high transient response and detail resolution. Its slim and sleek design makes it easy to carry around. try this site has a detachable cable that comes with two standard 3.5mm connectors. This makes it simple to connect cables from aftermarket. In contrast to electrostatic headphones, which require a particular bias voltage and extremely high-voltage audio signal to function, planar-magnetic designs can be driven by the output of many portable digital audio players or by an external headphone amplifier. This enables them to provide a much more natural and immersive listening experience than standard headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic driver has a lower storage power, which means it can reproduce low-frequency sounds more easily than headphones with a larger diaphragm. To test the ERA-1 I played an array of music, including some classical works and contemporary recordings. I found the ERA-1 to have outstanding imaging and articulation, which was particularly evident on the music with strings. Each note was clearly defined in space. It was more flesh-and-bone than the LCDX in this regard and has a more natural and full-bodied presentation. Both of them can track the shape of the notes with astonishing accuracy. However the ERA-1 is more coherent in its sound. It also has a softer sound, making it more suitable for mobile usage. ERA-3 Most headphones under $1000 have the sound of too boxed in and closed. ERA-1 delivers openness and transparency that you would expect from a planar design. The headphone's light weight and low clamping force makes it comfortable for long listening sessions – our listeners include SoundStage! Solo editor Brent Butterworth; John Higgins who is a music performance graduate of USC and a regular contributor to Wirecutter and Sound & Vision; and saxophonist LeRena Major, a Los Angeles-based Major. Unlike electrostatic headphones, which need an amplifier for the headphone to produce the required bias voltage and high-voltage audio signal which drives their diaphragms, the planars make use of a thin diaphragm that is placed between two magnets. This allows all parts of the membrane to resonate at the same frequency, thus reducing the distortion of intermodulation caused by inductance. Another benefit of planars is their capacity to be driven by an audio player that is portable equipped with a driver that is sensitive enough. The ERA-1 is one of the few headphones that can be used in this method, however to realize their full potential, you'll require a top headphone amplifier. The ERA-1 has a wide soundstage, superb clarity and a natural and smooth midrange. It also has a fast response, which makes it easy to follow notes on strings in complicated arrangements. I tried the track “Mining for Gold” from the Cowboy Junkies album The Trinity Session (16/44.1 FLAC, RCA), and discovered that the notes for the string were well separated and exceptionally clear. Quad ERA-1 is a better alternative to the MrSpeakers Amiron. It offers a more precise image and better separation of instruments. It's more relaxed, but it's still a great sound with excellent detail and a black background. I then listened to the jazz quartet semi-improv piece by Alter Natives from their Over The Counter – Culture CD on the SST label (24/96 vinyl copy) to see how the ERA-1 performed with drums electric guitar, flute and saxophone. The track requires a lot of speed and dynamic range to reproduce accurately. The ERA-1's remarkable coherency in phase detail, phase coherency, and bass were evident. ERA-4 After a long hiatus from the headphone market, Quad is back with their first ever headphones. The ERA-1 planar magnetic headphones builds on the company's history of electrostatic speakers. It has a diaphragm that is thin that is enclosed by high-quality drivers that are which are tuned to close tolerances. This allows the entire diaphragm including the earpieces to be vibrating simultaneously. This improves the coherence of phase and the reconstruction of signals with peaks. Its lightweight and comfortable design means that you can wear it for extended listening sessions. The ERA-1 is a great choice for those who love music and want a an open, clear soundstage that has excellent clarity. It is easier to drive than many planar headphones, and can be used on any smartphone or portable audio device. Its low impedance allows it to be used with all amplifiers. Its earcups are padded and soft, which makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions. Its soundstage has a spacious feel and its high-frequency response has a superb transient response. The midrange is clear and natural, while its bass has plenty of depth. Contrary to other headphones with driver complements, the ERA-1's is identical on each side of the headphone. This allows for equal performance across both ears. This is a feature that is crucial for those who enjoy listening to music in a group or share it with others. Moreover the ERA-1's open back design allows for good sound isolation and reduced bleed from external sources. The ERA-1 headphone from Quad is a great option if you want the most powerful sound. The design is low-profile, making it easy to fit into any head shape. The headphone comes with a carrying case and an additional set of earpads, making it an ideal choice to take on trips. The ERA-1 comes with a detachable cord that can be customized. The Quad ERA-1 is a good choice for those who love classic hi-fi. The open-backed design provides an expansive soundstage, superb imaging and a neutral and clear sound that is ideal for any genre of music. Its rich detail, and clear vocals, are particularly impressive. The ERA-1 can be purchased from a variety of online retailers for an affordable cost.