Here are some thoughts for the person who is considering buying the Alara or the Quad Era-1.
After listening to both, i can assure you that they do not sound alike.
Very different sounding headphones.
And as Ive already spoken a lot about the Quad, i wont reiterate all that again here.
So, how do the Alara's sound different then/from the Quads. ????
1st...The Alara is a bit easier to drive.
The Quad is very slightly more comfortable on the ears and on the head, as the Alara's designer has created a headband that is , as you've read, designed for a longer head. Not a small one, as the clamping force is fine for all sizes, but the length of the band is designed for head length....so, medium head or larger, will be fine., but a smaller head, due to the length being less from top to ears, could need a support on the headband.
All heads will vary.
Comfort is a 8.
Sound. :
As compared to the Quad Era-1.
This is easy, as they sound so different from each other, there is no need to be concerned about "buying the same sound, in a different brand because the parts are the same....etc".
So, just forget about that as these 2 products sound nothing alike.
What is causing such a big difference?
The Low mids.
The Quad has a controlled low mid, that does not really reach into the actual "mid" of the mid range, and so, you get a sense of a very distinct and wide midrange with the Quad, yet, it does not sound forward or especially dry, as you find with the recent Neumann's fairly dry tone.
The Alara has created their midrange to allow some of the low mids to WARM the overall tone of the headphone, and because of this, the Quad and the Alara sound nothing alike.
Does the Quad feel like a more refined/expensive product......yes.
However the Alara also feels well crafted and substantial.
Now how do the Alara's sound?
They have a fine sound that will please headphones lovers of Audeze and not offend the ears of people who love Sennheiser HD6's.
If you however love AKG, and Audio Technica, then you will find these to be of the same type overall "sweet and warm" that you hear when you listen to Audeze, with the exception of Sine's and the X's.
The Brainwavz Alara Tone/Sound is all about rich and warm and sweet.
Now, don't misunderstand me......i am not saying that they have a low-mid bloat, as they do not.......but instead, they have a very round and warm tone signature.
Its a fine sound.
I find the Alara's to almost offer the sound experience of a very very good dynamic headphone.
Upper Treble and Treble response is extended and not sizzly, however, as the sound signature of the headphone is decidedly warm and sweet and round, then the first impression of the treble is that they are slightly, soft.
But they're not.
As you listen to them, and your ears begin to experience how they are presenting their tone, you note that the trebles are nice, and well centered within a sweet and warm overall "rich" tonality.
This is definitely a product that will bond best with a solid state device, as tube warmth is going to add too much warmth to what is already a warm headphone sound.
Soundstage is interesting. Its not especially wide, yet you are hearing extened left and right and then you have the experience of the sound coming from the front, yet, its inside your head.
That pretty unique, and it sounds good, and even better the longer your ears adjust to what you are hearing.
This is a headphone sound that is designed for long fatigue free sessions, and not as much for using these headphones as microscopes, tho these do offer enough resolution and micro detail retrieval to please.
Not a bass head headphone, yet the Alara offers accurate and very listenable solid bass response.
The Alara sound is a unique sound, warm, rich, nicely detailed and fatigue free, = worth their cost.
This is a headphone that is for people who are looking for an affordable "good sound".
Brainwavz will be selling a lot of these, and i suspect most reviewers are going to highly rate them.
I ordered mine on Sunday, they shipped on Monday, and i received them today, Thursday.
Brainwavz gave me an Order confirmation email, then a shipping confirm email, then a estimated delivery date email, then a day of delivery update email, with tracking provided in all emails.
I never felt like "well they have my money, now lets hope for the best".
They contact a lot, and you always know what is happening with the shipment.
-
-
-