Short answer: the Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One. It ranks #3 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $4,995. The Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE ranks #59, rated 4.1/5, at $4,499.99, $495.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One is the better-sounding option. In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 95 with only 1.5 dB of standard deviation from the Harman target, so voices, instruments and bass all sit in natural proportion. The tradeoff: It is electrostatic, so it needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot plug into a phone, laptop or ordinary headphone amp.
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.
Buy the Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $495.01 saving on the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One | Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,995.00 | $4,499.99 |
| Ranked | #3 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #59 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 95 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.50 dB standard deviation | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) | 1 x 76mm x 51mm planar magnetic |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (303 g) | 0.9 lbs (418 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 90 dB/mW |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One compares with other leading options:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- 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
Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One: $4,995.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 95 with only 1.5 dB of standard deviation from the Harman target, so voices, instruments and bass all sit in natural proportion. The midrange from 200 Hz to 1 kHz lands within 0.2 dB of target, which keeps vocals and acoustic instruments sounding true to life. It rates above the Dan Clark Audio Stealth and the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition, and at 303 g it is light for a large electrostatic.
Cons: It is electrostatic, so it needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot plug into a phone, laptop or ordinary headphone amp. Sub-bass sits about 5 dB under target from 20 to 60 Hz, giving deep synth and organ notes less weight, and a 5.6 dB dip near 6.4 kHz slightly softens cymbal attack. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise.
Full Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.50 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 95 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (303 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 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 | +4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,056 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 1,938 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | -3.3 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 6,566 Hz | +3.7 dB | 5.06 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,536 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 210 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.77 |
| Peak | 358 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 5,435 Hz | -0.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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