Dan Clark Audio
Expanse Open Back Headphones
$3,999.00 USDFeatures
4th generation v-Planar driver delivering exceptional dynamics with low distortion
FEA and CFD optimized motor structure
Auto-adjusting headband suspension with ergonomic strap and quilting
Composite synthetic suede and protein-leather ear pads
Carbon Fiber Baffle
Folding gimbals allow EXPANSE to be packed in a compact case for safe and easy transport
Uncompromising industrial design uses aluminum, and titanium to maximize strength while minimizing weight, in a stylish package.
What's in the Box?
Enjoy a breathtakingly wide sound with the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE Open-Back Headphones, Dan Clark Audio's flagship headphone. Known for its expansive soundstage, comfort, and musicality, the EXPANSE is the perfect pair of open-back headphones for casual listening.Featuring Dan Clark Audio’s all-new 4th generation planar magnetic driver and breakthrough Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, the EXPANSE delivers a stunningly smooth presentation to bring new depth and breadth to all your favorite music. The DCA EXPANSE planar-magnetic Headphones are a top-tier choice for audiophiles seeking high performance, outstanding sound quality, and advanced technology in a comfortable stylish design.
Features:
- Patent-pending Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) delivering high-frequency detail and clarity
- 4th generation v-Planar driver delivering exceptional dynamics with low distortion
- FEA and CFD optimized motor structure
- Auto-adjusting headband suspension with ergonomic strap and quilting
- Composite synthetic suede and protein-leather ear pads
- Carbon Fiber Baffle
- Folding gimbals allow EXPANSE to be packed in a compact case for safe and easy transport
- Uncompromising industrial design uses aluminum, and titanium to maximize strength while minimizing weight, in a stylish package.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE Headphones with one of our premium Dragon audio headphone cables. Our top-of-the-line headphone cable, the Silver Dragon Premium opens up the soundstage and energy of the EXPANSE while boosting instrument separation and adding top-end resolution. Our Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable will add subtle warmth to the EXPANSE's bass and smooth the top end without sacrificing any detail for an overall fuller sound. The Blue Dragon Premium is a calm and neutral-sounding cable that will clean the sound without warming or brightening it.
Advanced Technology Delivering Exceptional Performance
Expanse Redefines "Detail"
The Dan Clark EXPANSE Headphones feature an all-new 4th generation planar-magnetic driver and Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) to achieve their remarkable performance and sound quality. AMTS is Dan Clark's patent-pending solution to standing waves in higher frequencies. AMTS is an inline device placed between the transducer and ear. It integrates waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave, and Helmholtz resonators into one compact structure. Diffusion elements reduce some standing wave formation while resonators act as both precision and broad filters to smooth and shape the frequency response, reducing the amplitude of response peaks and troughs from the midrange through the highest frequencies. AMTS greatly reduces standing waves so high frequencies are rendered with a refreshingly smooth, accurate, and detailed delivery across all genres. The EXPANSE's low impedance and high efficiency make it suitable for use with a wide range of devices, including portable audio players, DAC/Amps, and high-end headphone amplifiers.
The EXPANSE's 4th generation planar-magnetic driver delivers the smoothest, richest, and most detailed experience Dan Clark could create. The EXPANSE driver is 20% larger than the DCA E2 driver and uses DCA's patented v-Planar technology to reduce THD and improve low-frequency extension. Diaphragm tension is set on an all-new system for a more uniform and consistent tension, lower distortion, and better driver matching, while FEA and CFD-optimized motor structures increase driver force uniformity and smooth acoustic paths to reduce distortion.
The EXPANSE’s planar driver delivers incredibly low distortion throughout the listening range with levels of detail found primarily in the top-of-the-line electrostatics headphones. Unlike many headphones where “detail” is created through exaggerated high-frequency energy, the EXPANSE’s AMTS delivers industry-leading resolution free from the fatiguing emphasis on the top register users may be used to. Together, the our 4th-generation motor and AMTS deliver a sonic performance best described as “effortless." From a delicately plucked string to the most intense dynamics of an orchestra, or the weight and attack of a kick drum to the overtones a decay of a crash cymbal, the EXPANSE delivers an amazing balance of delicacy, nuance, and slam that will have you reaching for all your favorite recordings, and maybe staying up a bit too late.The EXPANSE Headphone not only throws an enormous soundstage but it also renders instruments and voices with a sense of physical size and presence that makes for a more lifelike feel than headphones with soundstage normally convey.
Expanse Mechanical Design Innovations
The Dan Clark EXPANSE Headphones stand out among the crowd of flagship open-back and closed-back headphones. Made of stylish matte-black leather and machine aluminum, the EXPANSE design takes it cues from aircraft design and is finished to levels you'd expect in the finest high-end cars. The top-grade black leather headband features fine blue stitching that creates a quilted head strap that's functional and comfortable. Adorned across the top of the headband is the EXPANSE logo, adding a dash of color to the EXPANSE's all-black aesthetic. DCA removed the mechanical sliders for fit adjustment and designed a stable, yet comfortable self-adjusting suspension system that seats the headphones just right with no clamping force. At just 418g the EXPANSE is one of the lightest super-premium headphones from Dan Clark, from the ultralight 280g Ether 2 to the groundbreaking ergonomics of the AEON series. The ergonomic and stylish outline of the EXPANSE’s ear cups is a natural extension of AEON 2 ergonomics, albeit they are larger. For storage or portability, Dan Clark has incorporated the AEON 2’s elegant folding gimbal structure into EXPANSE, neatly folding it into a compact custom molded case that’s small and easy to stow. Together with DCA's new vegan suede and leather earpads, self-adjusting suspension, and lightweight chassis make these over-ear headphones so comfortable that you can just ignore them and vanish into your music.
What's in the Box?
- Expanse Headphones
- Carrying Case
- VIVO Cable
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Manual
FAQ
How does the Dan Clark EXPANSE compare to the Dan Clark Stealth Headphones?
Both the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE and Stealth headphones offer exceptional performance and sound quality, but they cater to different needs. The EXPANSE is ideal for those seeking an open, natural listening experience with a wide soundstage, while the Stealth is better for users needing excellent noise isolation and a more intimate sound. The choice between the two would largely depend on the intended use case and personal preferences regarding open-back versus closed-back designs.
Do the Dan Clark Audio Expanse headphones require an amplifier?
While the Dan Clark Audio Expanse headphones have a low impedance and can be driven by portable devices, using a high-quality headphone amplifier can enhance their performance, providing better control and dynamics.
