Dan Clark Audio Expanse vs Meze Audio Elite

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Expanse is 15 g lighter, at 418 g against 433 g.

The Expanse needs 11 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The Elite lists for $500 less.

Dan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

$4,000

Side by side

ExpanseEliteDifference

ExpanseElite

Driver: Planar magnetic; Planar magnetic
Diaphragm: 4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published; Rinaro Parus MZ3SE ultra-thin polymer film, 0.11 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; 433 g; Expanse is 15 g lighter
Impedance: 26 ohms; 32 ohms
Sensitivity: ~90 dB/mW; 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB: 100 mW, 1.61 V; 7.94 mW, 0.50 V; Expanse needs 11 dB more
Drive: Moderate drive; Easy to drive
Frequency response: Not published; 3 Hz – 112 kHz
Made in: United States; Romania
Released: 2022; 2021
List price: $4,499.99; $4,000; Elite is $500 less
Materials: Carbon fibre Aluminium Titanium Leather; Carbon fibre Aluminium Leather; Both use carbon fibre, 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.

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

List $4,499.99

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

List $4,000

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