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Dan Clark Audio Expanse vs Meze Audio ARTA

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Expanse is 77 g lighter, at 418 g against 495 g.

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

The Expanse lists for $1,500 less.

Dan Clark AudioDan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

$6,000

Side by side

ExpanseARTA
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published
Rinaro Parus ARTA [MZ5 HΩ] film, 0.10 g
Driver size
76 mm x 51 mm
102 x 73 mm ovoid, 4,650 mm² active area
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
418 g
495 g
Expanse is 77 g lighter
Impedance
26 ohms
225 ohms
Sensitivity
~90 dB/mW
98 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB
100 mW, 1.61 V
15.8 mW, 1.89 V
Expanse needs 8 dB more
Drive
Moderate drive
Easy to drive
Frequency response
Not published
3 Hz – 115 kHz
Made in
United States
Romania
Released
2022
2026
List price
$4,499.99
$6,000
Expanse is $1,500 less
Materials
Carbon fibreAluminiumTitaniumLeather
Carbon fibreLeather
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 Expanse →Build a setup with the ARTA →

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 ARTA

List $6,000

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

More head to head