Headphones — Dan Clark Audio CORINA

The CORINA is a flagship open-back electrostatic headphone from Dan Clark Audio, built with the brand's patent-pending Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) making its debut in an electrostatic design. Following the award-winning VOCE - Dan Clark Audio's first electrostatic release, winner of multiple "Product of the Year" and "Best Headphone" honours from Positive Feedback, Absolute Sound, Headphonics and Headphone Guru - CORINA now supersedes it as the brand's new electrostatic flagship, sitting even above the current planar STEALTH and EXPANSE lineup in price.

Key specs that matter

The electrostatic driver uses a 2.4-micron-thick, 88mm-diameter diaphragm, which Dan Clark Audio states offers more consistent tension and uniformity for enhanced linearity and better channel matching than the earlier VOCE. Given the driver's considerable size, CORINA runs slightly less efficient than typical Stax electrostatics or even the Audeze CRBN, and connects via a standard 580V 5-pin electrostatic amplifier output, with the brand specifically noting the design responds favourably to higher bias voltage within reason and benefits from a capable source such as their own Blue Hawaii SE amplifier. AMTS is a patent-pending inline device positioned between transducer and ear, integrating waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave and Helmholtz resonators into one compact structure specifically to eliminate the standing waves that commonly make strings, cymbals and vocals sound unrealistic or fatiguing in conventional headphone designs. The self-tensioning headband design and titanium alloy Nitinol arch, shared with the flagship STEALTH and EXPANSE, pair with new suede earpads that reduce heat and moisture buildup. Weight is approximately 465g, though the low centre of gravity and thin titanium wire headband make it feel noticeably lighter on the head than that figure suggests.

Sound and use context

Expect an enormous, 360-degree soundstage central to CORINA's sound signature, delivering realism few headphones can match - reviewers describe a wider and deeper soundstage than the VOCE, a stronger, more percussive bottom end and a smoother, richer midrange, with sumptuous vocals and kicking bass that makes CORINA unusually enjoyable even with electronica and rock, a rarity among electrostatic designs.

Pairing

CORINA specifically requires a compatible 580V 5-pin electrostatic amplifier and benefits from higher bias voltage and stronger output current given the substantial 88mm driver, with Dan Clark Audio recommending their own Blue Hawaii SE amplifier to fully realise the headphone's potential.

Alternatives

Dan Clark Audio's earlier VOCE sits below this model as the brand's original electrostatic design, worth considering instead if CORINA's considerable price exceeds a specific budget, though CORINA represents the brand's most current and refined electrostatic engineering.