Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio Stealth. It ranks #38 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $4,499; the Audeze CRBN ranks #67, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Dan Clark Audio Stealth: A preference score of 86 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass and sub-bass slightly above target (about 1.3 dB from 20 to 60 Hz), so kick drums and bass lines land with full weight down to 20 Hz. The tradeoff: A deep 10.2 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and the sparkle of strings.
The case for 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 catch: It is an electrostatic headphone and needs a dedicated energizer, a significant extra cost on top of the headphone.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio Stealth. 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.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Stealth | Audeze CRBN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,499.00 | $4,500.00 |
| Ranked | #38 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #67 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.56 dB standard deviation | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 72mm x 50mm planar magnetic | 1 x 120mm x 90mm push-pull electrostatic |
| Impedance | 23 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 86-87 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (415 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Dan Clark Audio Stealth:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Audeze CRBN
- Audeze CRBN vs Stax SR-009S
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 Stealth: $4,499.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: A preference score of 86 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass and sub-bass slightly above target (about 1.3 dB from 20 to 60 Hz), so kick drums and bass lines land with full weight down to 20 Hz. Everything from 200 Hz to 6 kHz stays within about 0.6 dB of target, which keeps vocals clear and even. The closed back isolates the listener and keeps sound from leaking, and it rates above the open Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE.
Cons: A deep 10.2 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and the sparkle of strings. Sensitivity of 86 to 87 dB/mW is low for an over-ear, so it needs a capable headphone amp rather than a phone. At 415 g it is a heavy headphone. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Dan Clark Audio Stealth review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.56 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 72mm x 50mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86-87 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (415 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -0.9 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 | -2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 966 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 115 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.71 |
| Peak | 4,046 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 58 Hz | +1.4 dB | 1.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,296 Hz | -1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 179 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.99 |
| Peak | 2,131 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.51 |
| Peak | 261 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.87 |
- 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