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Dan Clark Audio Expanse vs Final D8000 Pro Edition

The Expanse is a planar magnetic open-back headphone and the D8000 Pro Edition is a planar magnetic semi-open one.

The Expanse is 105 g lighter, at 418 g against 523 g.

The Expanse needs 8 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

Dan Clark AudioDan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

$4,499

Side by side

ExpanseD8000 Pro Edition
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published
Ultra-light film with etched thin aluminum-foil coil, no adhesive; AFDS air-film damping
Driver size
76 mm x 51 mm
50 mm (reviewers; not in Final's spec)
Enclosure
Open-back
Semi-open
Weight
418 g
523 g
Expanse is 105 g lighter
Impedance
26 ohms
60 ohms
Sensitivity
~90 dB/mW
98 dB/mW
Power for 110 dB
100 mW, 1.61 V
15.8 mW, 0.98 V
Expanse needs 8 dB more
Drive
Moderate drive
Easy to drive
Frequency response
Not published
Not published
Made in
United States
Japan
Released
2022
2019
List price
$4,499.99
$4,499
Materials
Carbon fibreAluminiumTitaniumLeather
MagnesiumAluminiumStainless steelLeather
Both use aluminium, 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 Expanse →Build a setup with the D8000 Pro Edition →

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

Where to buy the D8000 Pro Edition

List $4,499

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

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