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Dan Clark AudioDan Clark Audio

Expanse

Driver
Planar magnetic
Enclosure
Open-back
Weight
418 g
List
$4,499.99
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The open-back partner to the Stealth, with the same Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System and the largest v-Planar driver Dan Clark Audio has made. The chassis is aluminium and titanium with a carbon fibre baffle.

Where to buy

List $4,499.99

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

Title block

Maker
Dan Clark Audio
Model
Expanse
Made in
United States
Released
2022
Transducer
Planar magnetic
Enclosure
Open-back
Driver
76 mm x 51 mm
Weight
418 g
Impedance
26 ohms
Sensitivity
~90 dB/mW
Frequency response
Not published
List price
$4,499.99 USD
LevelPowerVoltageCurrent
100 dB10.0 mW0.51 V19.6 mA
110 dB100 mW1.61 V62.0 mA
120 dB1000 mW5.10 V196 mA

Most headroom at 110 dB

Rated 90 dB/mW into 26 ohms. Estimated from published amplifier output.

Assembly drawing

1234567

Parts

  1. 1HeadbandNickel-titanium band, quilted black leather strap, self-adjusting suspension
  2. 2YokeFolding gimbals carried over from AEON 2; per-part materials not published
  3. 3GrilleOpen grille with pattern from generative-design math functions; material not published
  4. 4Ear cupAluminum and titanium chassis; carbon fiber baffle
  5. 5Magnet arrayNot published
  6. 6Diaphragm4th-generation v-Planar diaphragm, DCA's largest to date; material not published
  7. 7EarpadsComposite synthetic suede and protein leather; fill not published

Schematic planar magnetic assembly, annotated with the Dan Clark Audio Expanse’s published materials. Not to scale.

Engineering notes

  • Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS, patent pending): inline device between transducer and ear combining waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave and Helmholtz resonators
  • 4th-generation single-ended planar magnetic driver, 76 x 51 mm, with revised driver tensioning system
  • FEA and CFD optimized motor structure
  • Self-adjusting suspended strap replaces mechanical sliders; folding gimbals allow a compact travel case

Design language

Engineered minimalism: a grille pattern generated from mathematical functions, teardrop cups and a nickel-titanium band.

Build the listening station

Desktop sanctuary

Sources