Dan Clark Audio Expanse vs Yamaha YH-5000SE

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The YH-5000SE is 98 g lighter, at 320 g against 418 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 $500 less.

Dan Clark AudioExpanse

$4,499.99

$4,999.95

Side by side

ExpanseYH-5000SEDifference

ExpanseYH-5000SE

Driver: Planar magnetic; Planar magnetic
Diaphragm: 4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published; Thin film with etched coil on both sides, concentric corrugation, outer-edge mount
Driver size: 76 mm x 51 mm; Not published
Enclosure: Open-back; Open-back
Weight: 418 g; 320 g; YH-5000SE is 98 g lighter
Impedance: 26 ohms; 34 ohms
Sensitivity: ~90 dB/mW; 98 dB/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB: 100 mW, 1.61 V; 15.8 mW, 0.73 V; Expanse needs 8 dB more
Drive: Moderate drive; Easy to drive
Frequency response: Not published; 5 Hz – 70 kHz
Made in: United States; Japan
Released: 2022; 2023
List price: $4,499.99; $4,999.95; Expanse is $500 less
Materials: Carbon fibre Aluminium Titanium Leather; Magnesium Stainless steel Leather; Both use 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 $4,999.95

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