I know what you mean.

I listened to the Dan Clark Expanse extensively a month back. I was ready to buy it. But comparing it to my (EQ'd) HD800S, I didn't really find it preferential. It sounded good but not revolutionary, which was the only way I could justify the high price tag. Some things even sounded worse to me.

Listening to anything else seems pretty pointless, so I guess this is it. Either that or I pick an Expanse up second-hand someday and give it a more thorough listen. But in the mean time, I feel like we plateaud.