Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Focal Utopia

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

EXPANSE compared with Utopia
Dan Clark AudioEXPANSEFocalUtopia
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2022September 2022
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingNoNo
Driver size–40 mm
BackOpenOpen
Impedance26 ohms80 ohms
Bluetooth codecsNone (wired)None (wired)
Drivers76 × 51 mm single-ended 4th-generation v-Planar planar magnetic; Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS); ~90 dB/mW; THD < 0.03% 20 Hz – 20 kHz (ref. 1 kHz at 94 dB), < 0.1% ref 80 dB white noise; driver matching 0.25 dB weighted 20 Hz – 10 kHz40 mm pure beryllium 'M'-shaped dome with a copper-aluminium voice coil (new in the 2022 edition); 5 Hz – 23 kHz (±3 dB) on focal.com, 5 Hz – 50 kHz on the product sheet; sensitivity 104 dB SPL (1 mW, 1 kHz); THD < 0.2% (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL)
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)No battery (wired)No battery (wired)
Design
Weight418 g (better)490 g
Headphone cableYesYes
Fit and ear tipsOver-ear, open-back; synthetic suede and protein-leather ear pads; self-adjusting suspended leather strap on a nickel-titanium headband; carbon fibre baffle; aluminium and titanium frame; folding gimbalsCircumaural, open-back; 'M'-shaped grilles inside the ear cups
Works withDetachable VIVO cable, chosen at purchase - 2 m or 3 m with 6.35 mm or XLR plug, or 1.1 m or 2 m with 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm or 3.5 mm plug1.5 m cable with 3.5 mm jack and 3 m cable with balanced 4-pin XLR, both with Lemo connectors; 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter
ColoursBlack with blue stitching–
In the boxEXPANSE headphones, carrying case, VIVO cable, certificate of authenticity, manualHeadphones, 1.5 m 3.5 mm cable, 3 m 4-pin XLR cable, 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter, carrying case (250 x 240 x 120 mm)

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