This exploded view of the Quad ERA-1 shows the intricate design of the planar magnetic drivers.

Debut headphones from a classic UK audio company

I first auditioned the Quad ERA-1 headphones with the recently released 50th Anniversary re-master of the Beatles' White Album. It just seemed appropriate. These headphones could also be seen as a "reissue" of a longtime British audio favorite. They are tuned to emulate the classic sound of Quad's vintage ESL 57 electrostatic floor-standing speakers. And like The White Album, these ERA-1 'phones reward repeat listening.

This the very first set of headphones in Quad's illustrious 80-year-plus history. They use planar-magnetic drivers to deliver a spacious, mids-forward sound with deep, authoritative bass. Brand-new details leapt from familiar tracks, drawing me deeper into "Dear Prudence," "Blackbird," and "Don't Pass Me By." I heard hidden bits of percussion and musical artifacts that made each song even more enjoyable.

A solid build and a secure, comfortable fit

The industrial-styled ERA-1 headphones felt sturdy and rugged as I pulled them from the box. They fit snugly on my head and felt light and well-cushioned. Generously padded leather lines the headband, and you have a choice between two different pairs of included ear pads.

Thinner, cloth-covered pads come attached. They offer a nice soft grip, but I preferred the fit of the thicker sheepskin ear pads that came in the box. Those pads are also perforated and lend a slightly different sound signature that I found even more pleasing.

How the planar magnetic drivers work

Unlike the dynamic drivers found in most headphones, planar drivers use thin, flexible diaphragms with voice coils etched onto their surface. They move rapidly back and forth within a magnetic field. Faster movement means more accurate sound, so the thinner the diaphragm the better.

The lightweight diaphragms used inside the ERA-1's drivers are thinner than human hair. They can start and stop incredibly precisely, so you get clean, natural transients and tight bass. Quad uses a patented "nonlinear vibration suppression technology" to help reduce magnetic distortion and keep the sound waves uncorrupted.

The Quad ERA-1 headphones driven by the PA-One headphone amp (sold separately).

A beautiful headphone and amp combination

These headphones perform their best when powered by a serious headphone amp, and specifically pair well with QUAD's PA-One+ vacuum tube headphone amp/DAC. Both the headphones and amp benefit from some break-in, but I would especially recommend warming up the amp before use. When those tubes really start glowing, they lend an organic smoothness that plays to the strengths of ERA-1 headphones.

Digital sources come through with a musical warmth like you might expect from spinning vinyl. This headphone-and-amp combo delivered a spacious, but not overly spread-out soundstage. I got a nice halo of sound just outside the head.

The mixing on Stevie Wonder's "Evil" helped underscore the spot-on imaging. Stevie played all the instruments on the track, but they came at me from such precise angles, it gave the illusion that I was surrounded by a full band of Stevies. His vocals jumped out in front of the keys, synth, bass and drums. All the sounds melded together and slowly built to the final, powerful crescendo.