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 Stealth ranks #38, rated 4.2/5, at $4,499, $496 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One is the better-sounding choice. 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. Watch for: 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 Stealth does well: 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. Watch for: A deep 10.2 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and the sparkle of strings.
Buy the Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $496 you would save on the Dan Clark Audio Stealth does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One | Dan Clark Audio Stealth | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,995.00 | $4,499.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #38 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 95 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.50 dB standard deviation | 1.56 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.53 (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 (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) | 1 x 72mm x 50mm planar magnetic |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (303 g) | 0.9 lbs (415 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 86-87 dB/mW |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth 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 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