Dan Clark Audio Expanse vs Meze Audio Empyrean II

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Expanse is 31 g lighter, at 418 g against 449 g.

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

The Empyrean II lists for $1,501 less.

Dan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

$2,999

Side by side

ExpanseEmpyrean IIDifference

ExpanseEmpyrean II

Driver: Planar magnetic; Planar magnetic
Diaphragm: 4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published; Rinaro Isoplanar MZ3 film, 0.16 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; 449 g; Expanse is 31 g lighter
Impedance: 26 ohms; 32 ohms
Sensitivity: ~90 dB/mW; 90 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB: 100 mW, 1.61 V; 100 mW, 1.79 V; About the same
Drive: Moderate drive; Moderate drive
Frequency response: Not published; 8 Hz – 110 kHz
Made in: United States; Romania
Released: 2022; 2023
List price: $4,499.99; $2,999; Empyrean II is $1,501 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 $2,999

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