Short answer: the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#46 and #59 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition costs $4,299 against $4,499.99 for the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
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. The catch: 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 Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. The tradeoff: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted.
Buy the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $200.99 less than the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE | Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,499.99 | $4,299.00 |
| Ranked | #59 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #46 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 dB standard deviation | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.01 (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 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 76mm x 51mm planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (418 g) | 1.2 lbs (523 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition vs Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
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 |
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Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: $4,299.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. Air above 10 kHz runs 3.3 dB above target for an open, detailed top end that suits fans of a lively, slightly V-shaped sound. It carries a higher rating than the similarly priced Audeze CRBN.
Cons: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted. A 7.1 dB dip near 2.75 kHz pulls vocals back slightly. At 523 g it is a heavy headphone, and the open back offers no isolation.
Full Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (523 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 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 | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,583 Hz | +7.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,144 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 498 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,543 Hz | -2.7 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 1,962 Hz | +0.8 dB | 5.18 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons