I've never met a Dan Clark headphone that isn't comfortable. And while comfort is subjective, I do think Dan Clark has done a better-than-average job in this regard. Dan himself has often said that if a headphone isn't comfortable enough for long listening sessions, then the design is flawed. I've never met a Dan Clark headphone that isn't comfortable. And while comfort is subjective, I do think Dan Clark has done a better-than-average job in this regard. All of Dan Clark’s high-end headphones are built by hand in the company’s San Diego headquarters.

At 418g, the Expanse is relatively lightweight. It's no 290g ETHER 2, but it's comfortably under a pound. It's an aluminum and carbon fiber construction, with the NiTiNol nickel-titanium headband that is known for keeping its shape. The head strap features an ergonomic design that spreads weight evenly across the head. The strap is quilted for comfort and heat reduction.

The Expanse features a redesigned headband that was introduced on the Stealth. Instead of a mechanical slider, it's an auto-adjusting suspended strap design. This allows the strap to move freely and adapt to your head size and shape.

The ear cups on the Expanse are the same teardrop-shape found on the AEON and the Stealth, with the cups on the Expanse and the Stealth being larger than the AEON cups. The Expanse uses composite synthetic suede and protein-leather on the ear pads.

Dan Clark is known for planar magnetic headphones, but they do have an electrostatic headphone called the VOCE, which I reviewed a while back. I actually think the sound of the Expanse most closely resembles the VOCE than other Dan Clark planars. The Expanse is a very detailed headphone, and there's a crispness and snappiness to the sound that I equate with e-stats.

The soundstage on the Expanse makes you understand the name; it's quite expansive. The high end has a fair amount of presence and sparkle, but I don’t find it fatiguing. I want to describe the treble as rich, but it’s not syrupy. It's more like substantive. Mids are clear, and the low end is punchy. The bass does its job to define tracks and add some dimension, but it's not the star of the show. If you like big bass, this is not your headphone.

The Expanse uses Dan Clark's 4th-generation planar magnetic driver. It’s 20 percent larger than the driver in the ETHER 2, Dan Clark's previous flagship open-back. This transducer uses DCA's patented V-planar technology to reduce THD and improve low-frequency extension. Also, diaphragm tension is set on an all-new system for a more uniform and consistent tension, lower distortion, and better driver matching. FEA and CFD optimized motor structures increase driver force uniformity and smooth acoustic paths to reduce distortion.

The Expanse features Dan Clark's patent-pending Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System. Now, the Expanse is a highly detailed headphone. Detail is often achieved through a boosting of top-end energy. While effective, this can lead to listening fatigue. AMTS is a way for Dan Clark to achieve resolution without an exaggerated top-end emphasis.

Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System

I knew right away that a Black Dragon Premium Cable was going to be my choice for the Expanse. Because the Expanse is a highly detailed headphone, I didn't feel the need for enhancement there. The midrange and treble is where the Expanse really shines, so my goal was to add some bottom-end weight. The copper-based Black Dragon adds a subtle warmth to the bass, so your music will sound fuller. The Black Dragon will also smooth the top end without sacrificing detail.

Black Dragon Sound Signature: The Black Dragon is warm and smooth with a musical presentation. Copper strands enhance the body, shape, and immediacy of the music. The detail and expansiveness of the Black Dragon make it a flexible fit where a broad range of musical genres are played. It can also improve bass frequencies on bass-light headphones. The smooth, musical quality makes it a perfect fit for headphones that tend to sound a bit edgy or bright. Despite its warmth, the Black Dragon does not have a laid-back, lush sound. It is much closer to neutral, making it a very natural-sounding cable. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.

Why Dragon Cables?

Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon cables are handcrafted to the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.