Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#59 and #43 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE costs $4,499.99 against $5,999 for the HIFIMAN Susvara, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE does well: 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.
The case for the HIFIMAN Susvara: A preference score of 85 in crinacle’s measurement puts it among the most accurately tuned open-back headphones. Watch for: Sensitivity of only 83 dB is extremely low, so it needs a powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and is useless from a phone.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,499.01 less than the HIFIMAN Susvara.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE | HIFIMAN Susvara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,499.99 | $5,999.00 |
| Ranked | #59 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #43 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 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 | 83 dB |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (418 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN Susvara:
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara vs Audeze CRBN
- HIFIMAN Susvara vs Stax SR-X9000
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
HIFIMAN Susvara: $5,999.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in crinacle’s measurement puts it among the most accurately tuned open-back headphones. In squig.link measurements bass, presence and treble all land within about 1.5 dB of target, so voices, strings and percussion sound balanced and natural, and a slight 2.5 dB low-mid lift adds body. Its planar magnetic driver stays within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz, and it rates above the Focal Utopia 2022 at a lower price than the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr.
Cons: Sensitivity of only 83 dB is extremely low, so it needs a powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and is useless from a phone. A 5.9 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air about 4.7 dB above target can make cymbals a touch sharp, while sub-bass sits about 5 dB down at 30 Hz. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Susvara review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,876 Hz | +5.7 dB | 2.54 |
| Peak | 123 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 485 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.51 |
| Peak | 896 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.26 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,945 Hz | -1.7 dB | 5.84 |
| Peak | 207 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.66 |
| Peak | 121 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | -0.3 dB | 1.77 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons