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Audeze LCD-5s vs Dan Clark Audio Expanse

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Expanse is 57 g lighter, at 418 g against 475 g.

They need about the same power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so an amplifier that suits one suits the other.

AudezeLCD-5s

$4,500

Dan Clark AudioDan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

Side by side

LCD-5sExpanse
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce diaphragm (thickness unpublished)
4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published
Driver size
90 mm
76 mm x 51 mm
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
475 g
418 g
Expanse is 57 g lighter
Impedance
35 ohms
26 ohms
Sensitivity
90 dB/1 mW (at Drum Reference Point)
~90 dB/mW
Power for 110 dB
100 mW, 1.87 V
100 mW, 1.61 V
About the same
Drive
Moderate drive
Moderate drive
Frequency response
5 Hz – 50 kHz
Not published
Made in
USA (California)
United States
Released
2026
2022
List price
$4,500
$4,499.99
Materials
Carbon fibreMagnesiumLeatherEngineered films
Carbon fibreAluminiumTitaniumLeather
Both use carbon fibre, leather

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Amplifiers that drive both

How the matching works

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

Build a setup with the LCD-5s →Build a setup with the Expanse →

Where to buy the LCD-5s

List $4,500

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

Where to buy the Expanse

List $4,499.99

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

More head to head