Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE. It ranks #59 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $4,499.99; the Audeze CRBN ranks #67, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE: A preference score of 83 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass about 2.4 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz that gives drums and bass guitar a full, warm foundation that reaches down to 20 Hz. Watch for: A 5.1 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 3.7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz makes the treble uneven, softening some cymbals while adding a touch of edge higher up.
Why pick the Audeze CRBN: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz held within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and acoustic instruments sound accurate and natural. The tradeoff: It is an electrostatic headphone and needs a dedicated energizer, a significant extra cost on top of the headphone.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze CRBN and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE | Audeze CRBN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,499.99 | $4,500.00 |
| Ranked | #59 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #67 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 dB standard deviation | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 76mm x 51mm planar magnetic | 1 x 120mm x 90mm push-pull electrostatic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (418 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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How Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE compares with other leading options:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Audeze CRBN
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE: $4,499.99 Dan Clark Audio eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass about 2.4 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz that gives drums and bass guitar a full, warm foundation that reaches down to 20 Hz. The mids from 200 Hz to 3 kHz track the target within 0.4 dB, so voices stay clear despite the extra low end. It rates level with the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition and above the Audeze CRBN.
Cons: A 5.1 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 3.7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz makes the treble uneven, softening some cymbals while adding a touch of edge higher up. At 90 dB/mW sensitivity and 418 g it needs a dedicated amp and is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 76mm x 51mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (418 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 137 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.95 |
| Peak | 7,982 Hz | +3.0 dB | 2.26 |
| Peak | 312 Hz | +0.9 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +1.8 dB | 1.42 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,018 Hz | -2.3 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 1,977 Hz | +1.4 dB | 2.02 |
| Peak | 5,473 Hz | -2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,411 Hz | +1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze CRBN: $4,500.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz held within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and acoustic instruments sound accurate and natural. The large 120 by 90 mm push-pull electrostatic driver weighs in at only 300 g, light for a flagship. Listeners who want a neutral or gently warm sound are the closest match.
Cons: It is an electrostatic headphone and needs a dedicated energizer, a significant extra cost on top of the headphone. Bass falls 6 dB below target by 50 Hz and a 10.3 dB dip near 9.2 kHz dims cymbals and detail, so it can sound thin at the bottom and soft at the top. The Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition costs a bit less and carries a higher rating.
Full Audeze CRBN review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 120mm x 90mm push-pull electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,815 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.73 |
| Peak | 1,053 Hz | -2.9 dB | 2.95 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 3,129 Hz | -3.5 dB | 3.95 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,856 Hz | +1.9 dB | 4.22 |
| Peak | 5,905 Hz | -4.2 dB | 5.74 |
| Peak | 4,752 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.44 |
| Peak | 6,913 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.96 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons