Drop + MrSpeakers Ether CX (Massdrop x Dan Clark Audio)

Dan Clark Audio, originally founded as MrSpeakers in 2012 by audio engineer Dan Clark in San Diego, California, traces its roots to the founder's lifelong passion for sound that began in childhood. With a background including work on Monitor Audio's premium Platinum Series speakers in the late 1990s and early headphone modifications for audiophiles, Clark bootstrapped the company through those sales, avoiding loans or investors to fund independent research and development.

The brand specializes exclusively in high-end planar magnetic headphones, offering both open-back and closed-back models renowned for innovative driver technology, such as proprietary designs protected by multiple US patents. Standouts include early releases like the Mad Dog and ETHER, alongside modern flagships emphasizing balanced acoustics, exceptional comfort, and lightweight engineering—handmade in the USA without venturing into amplifiers, speakers, or other categories.

Positioned as a niche boutique leader in the ultra-premium headphone market, Dan Clark Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its relentless pursuit of perfection, earning accolades from Hi-Fi+, The Absolute Sound, HFN, and The New York Times Wirecutter. Renamed in 2019, it prioritizes value-driven excellence over mass production, solidifying its status as an innovator in personal audio.