Short answer: the Focal Stellia, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.9/5 for sound quality (#180 and #179 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Focal Stellia costs $2,280 against $2,599 for the Dan Clark Audio Voce, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, and the Dan Clark Audio E3, ranked #1 at $2,299, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Dan Clark Audio Voce does well: It uses an 88mm electrostatic driver in an open back design, a rare driver type among current headphones. The catch: A preference score of 56 from crinacle’s measurement puts its tonal balance far from what most listeners prefer.
The case for the Focal Stellia: A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player. The tradeoff: Presence, treble and air all fall 4 to 7 dB below target, and oratory1990’s measurement shows a 12.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and recessed.
Buy the Focal Stellia. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $319 less than the Dan Clark Audio Voce.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Voce | Focal Stellia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,599.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Ranked | #179 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #180 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.06 dB standard deviation | 3.04 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 88mm electrostatic | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 106 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | - | 1 lbs (435 g) |
| Frequency Response | - | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Focal Stellia
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 Voce: $2,599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It uses an 88mm electrostatic driver in an open back design, a rare driver type among current headphones. It is rated above the Sennheiser HD 820 and the AKG K872 Pro and rated the same as the more expensive Focal Stellia.
Cons: A preference score of 56 from crinacle’s measurement puts its tonal balance far from what most listeners prefer. As an electrostatic design it needs a dedicated energizer rather than a normal headphone amp, which adds substantially to the system cost. The Audeze LCD-3 earns a higher rating for less money.
Full Dan Clark Audio Voce review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.06 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 88mm electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,149 Hz | -7.5 dB | 1.65 |
| Peak | 273 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 2,121 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.37 |
| Peak | 8,560 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.81 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,724 Hz | -4.6 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 3,207 Hz | +2.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.76 |
| Peak | 5,558 Hz | +1.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Stellia: $2,280.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player. Sub-bass is within 0.5 dB of target at 30 Hz and bass sits about 2.4 dB above, which suits listeners who like a warm, full low end.
Cons: Presence, treble and air all fall 4 to 7 dB below target, and oratory1990’s measurement shows a 12.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and recessed. At 435 g it is heavy for a closed headphone. The Audeze LCD-3 rates higher at a lower price.
Full Focal Stellia review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.04 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (435 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 | -0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,929 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 106 Hz | -5.9 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 1,706 Hz | -3.4 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | +2.7 dB | 1.02 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 297 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.62 |
| Peak | 6,023 Hz | -3.3 dB | 5.53 |
| Peak | 4,268 Hz | +3.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons