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 Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE ranks #59, rated 4.1/5, and costs $4,499.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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.
Why pick 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 tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio Stealth. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Stealth | Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,499.00 | $4,499.99 |
| Ranked | #38 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #59 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.56 dB standard deviation | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 72mm x 50mm planar magnetic | 1 x 76mm x 51mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 23 ohms | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86-87 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (415 g) | 0.9 lbs (418 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Dan Clark Audio Stealth compares with other leading options:
- 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 Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
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 |
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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