Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Expanse
74Great
$4,500
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Expanse vs Focal Utopia: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Utopia comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Utopia - Outstanding overall at around $4999.
Over-Ear
Focal Utopia
81Outstanding
$5,000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Utopia leads on 2 of 4 measures.
- Dan Clark Audio Expanse
- Focal Utopia
HearWiki score
74
81
Sound
9.2
9.7
Value
5.8
5.8
Price (USD)
$4,500
$5,000
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
Both shipped in 2022. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- Expanse2022
- Utopia2022
Specifications
ExpanseUtopia
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $4,500
- $5,000
- HearWiki score
- 74
- 81
- Released
- 2022
- 2022
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 76 mm planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 76 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- neutral
- Impedance
- 26 Ω
- 80 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 90 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.x
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, aptX HD, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 418 g
- 490 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- XLR
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Expanse
The Dan Clark Audio Expanse is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone that aims for a balanced, natural sound signature rather than an overtly colored one. It combines high-end build quality with strong comfort, though it demands a powerful amplifier to reach its full potential. It is best suited for dedicated listening setups, as it lacks wireless features and noise cancellation.
- Pro:Excellent technical performance and balanced tuning
- Pro:High-quality build and premium materials
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform optimally
- Con:No wireless or noise-canceling features at this price
- Con:Heavy weight may be noticeable during long sessions
Focal Utopia
The Focal Utopia is a premium open-back wired headphone engineered for audiophiles seeking reference-grade neutrality. Its 40mm beryllium driver delivers exceptional detail, low distortion, and a finely tuned high-frequency response, making it a top-tier choice for critical listening. While its performance is class-leading, the steep price positions it as a luxury investment rather than a practical everyday option.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Very low distortion with a neutral, accurate sound signature
- Pro:Premium build quality and detachable cable design
- Con:Extremely high price point
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity
- Con:Heavy weight (490g) may be tiring during long sessions
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.