Features

Overview: EXPANSE is Dan Clark Audio\’s flagship open-back planar magnetic headphone. It takes much of its design from the closed-back STEALTH headphone. EXPANSE features the same 4th-generation driver and the proprietary AMTS (Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System). It also utilizes the same self-adjusting suspension and collapsing gimbal for more compact storage. The open-back design provides significant soundstage advantages over closed-back headphones. The EXPANSE headphones are hand built in San Diego, CA, and come with a 2-meter (79") VIVO super-premium cable and a zippered carrying case. Earcup Dimensions: Width 3.557", Height 5.047", Depth 1.903"; Weight 14.74 ounces.

Planar Magnetic Drivers: EXPANSE uses a 4th generation 76mm x 51mm single-ended planar magnetic
driver with V-Planar Technology™ and 15 magnets per channel (30 total). V-Planar knurling deeply creases the diaphragm, which enables a larger percentage of the driver to move as a flat surface. The driver moves more air at low frequencies, giving it better dynamics, high-end frequency response, and lower distortion. An improved driver tensioning system delivers unprecedented consistency in the drivers across the entire line. The drivers are matched to +/- 0.25dB between 20Hz and 10kHz. The
new drivers provide higher resolution and a much larger soundstage. Total Harmonic Distortion is < 0.03% 20Hz-20kHz, ref. 1kHz at 94dB.

Burn-in Period: For optimum performance, the drivers require a "burn-in" period to enable the headphones to reach their full potential. Burn-in requires the continuous playing of audio through the headphones for several days. During this period, the internal parts of the drivers are "exercised" so they can settle in to their respective places in order to deliver optimum audio performance. The recommended burn-in period for EXPANSE is 50 to 100 hours.

Open Back Design: EXPANSE\’s open back design makes the headphones sound more like a pair of speakers in a room than do closed-back headphones. The soundstage is deeper with a more intimate focus, putting you closer to the performance. Typically, open-back headphones offer very little blockage of external noise, and some of the audio may be heard outside of the headphone. Because of DC Audio\’s planar magnetic driver design, EXPANSE allows less ambient sound in and leaks less audio out than most open-back headphones, yet the headphone still provides the soundstage advantage of an open headphone design.

Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS): AMTS is a patent-pending device that is located in between the transducer and the ear. It features waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave, and Helmholtz resonators that eliminate standing waves that are harmful to the overall sound. Standing waves in the higher frequencies can make vocals, strings, cymbals, and other instruments sound harsh and fatiguing. The AMTS acts like a filter to smooth out the midrange and high frequencies to give you better accuracy and clarity.

Construction: The ÆON 2-inspired teardrop-shaped earcups are constructed of bonded carbon fiber and aluminum which provide maximum stiffness, while being lightweight. The plush padded earpads are covered in synthetic protein leather with a soft synthetic suede that reduces heat and moisture buildup when worn for extended periods. Two thin NiTinol memory metal bands hold the ear cups
together, and provides the right amount of pressure on the head. NiTinol is a
Nickel Titanium metal alloy that returns to its original shape, even after being
severely bent.

Self-adjusting Suspension: EXPANSE features a unique self-adjusting suspension system which includes a wide synthetic headband that comfortably spreads the weight evenly across the head. The stylish blue stitching creates a quilting effect that reduces heat buildup and improves comfort. The headband is connected to the headphone via elastic straps that automatically adjusts to the size of each individual user for a perfect fit.

VIVO Cable: The included 2-meter VIVO super-premium headphone cable is made with silver-plated OFHC (oxygen-free high conductivity) copper. Its carefully designed geometry that makes the cable light and flexible and maximizes sound quality. The braided fabric jacket prevents contact sound from transferring from the jacket to the headphones. The VIVO cable connects to the left and right earcups via 4-pin Hirose push-pull connectors, and terminates into a gold-plated 1/4" (6.5mm) plug.

Collapsing Gimbal: The EXPANSE headphones feature a new collapsing gimbal suspension borrowed from the ÆON 2. The earcups fold inside of the headband, so you can store them in the supplied compact zippered case.