EXPANSE

Released September 2022

EXPANSE is Dan Clark Audio's open-back planar magnetic flagship, the open counterpart to STEALTH with the same 4th-generation driver and Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS).

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 418 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the Expanse has a balanced, natural and musical sound with strong technical performance, backed by Audio Science Review's measurements, and is comfortable and well built. Headfonics and Headfonia found it needs a lot of power and doesn't pair well with some solid-state amplifiers, and the price is high.

From audiosciencereview.com, headfonics.com and headfonia.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Back: Open
Impedance: 26 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: 76 × 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 kHz

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): No battery (wired)

Design

Weight: 418 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Over-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 gimbals
Works with: Detachable 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 plug
Colours: Black with blue stitching
In the box: EXPANSE headphones, carrying case, VIVO cable, certificate of authenticity, manual

Pros and cons

Pros

Very low distortion (under 0.03% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 94 dB)
Wide choice of cable plugs at purchase, including 4.4 mm and XLR
Folding gimbals and a compact carrying case

Cons

Low 26-ohm, ~90 dB/mW sensitivity calls for a capable amplifier
Maker publishes no frequency response
Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
AudezeMM-500	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	495 g	Jun 2022
FocalUtopia	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	490 g	Sept 2022
HIFIMANANANDA Stealth Magnet	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	398 g	Jun 2022

Sources

Photo: danclarkaudio.com

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