ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Dali IO-8 headphones can be found on Amazon for $1,250.
- They produce a readability of sound and separation that may blow you away.
- The beige colorway is not probably the most engaging, and the designed excuses premium.
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I have been a connoisseur of headphones because the Eighties. Again then, I used to be residing on a pupil’s price range and could not afford one of the best of one of the best. Nonetheless, I sought out headphones that not solely I may afford however delivered a sound worthy of my discerning palette.
Every time I noticed somebody with headphones, I would ask, “Can I attempt these?” hoping to search out simply the suitable pair.
Quick-forward to now, and I obtain a variety of headphones for evaluation. Each time I open a pair, I feel, “Please, blow me away.” A number of have reached such highs (corresponding to about something from Beyerdynamic), however even these I would not place within the audiophile class.
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Just lately, I obtained a proposal to evaluation a pair of headphones from an organization I would by no means heard of known as Dali. The headphones in query? The IO-8 over-ear headphones.
Earlier than I am going any additional, the IO-8s have a hefty price ticket of $1,250 on Amazon. Due to that value, the IO-8s serve a relatively area of interest viewers, however they serve it so nicely. Why do I say that? Easy: the IO-8 headphones are one of the best pair I’ve ever positioned over my ears.
My expertise
There’s one explicit tune I like to drag out once I really want to verify the sonic high quality of headphones. That tune is “Tricycle” by Flim & The BBs. Again within the mid-nineties, I labored for an audio firm that put in sound techniques that reached six and 7 figures.
After we might end an set up job, the proprietor would are available in with some severe expertise and “noise” the system by introducing white and pink noise by way of the audio system. As soon as they’d all the things dialed in, the proprietor would play “Tricycle” to see the way it sounded. If the system may play that tune to his insane requirements, he’d name the job accomplished.
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I do not play “Tricycle” for each headphone evaluation (as a result of most headphones cannot do it justice); however once I noticed the worth tag for the IO-8 headphones, I knew taking part in this piece would instantly inform me how nicely they carried out.
The controls are simple to entry.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
This tune is a splendid piece of music that basically highlights a speaker’s soundstage and the way nicely it will possibly deal with lows and highs. I am right here to let you know the IO-8s dealt with it to perfection. These are, certainly, the best-sounding wi-fi headphones I’ve ever skilled.
Ever. Interval.
And that is with out having to put in an app and alter the EQ curve to fulfill my discerning style. I merely turned them on, paired them with my Pixel 9 Professional, and tapped play on Spotify. These infants are magic.
The IO-8 headphones have two modes: bass and hi-fi. By default, they’re set on hi-fi, which was gorgeous. The bass mode was a bit a lot for “Tricycle,” so I switched it up and tapped play on Devin Townsend’s “PowerNerd.” The bass mode on this tune bumped up till it felt like a large was dancing on my head.
It was head-banging glory. I am not going to undergo a set record of songs I performed for testing as a result of I can simply say one factor about all of them: Good!
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That is proper. The IO-8 headphones performed each tune and style like they have been constructed particularly for that exact tune. The one draw back of this expertise is that each different pair I check from this level on out will in all probability not measure up.
This isn’t hyperbole, as these headphones are the true deal.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Dali IO-8 headphones are costly, little doubt. However if you’re taking a look at headphones on this stage, it’s best to count on costs to soar into the 4 and 5 figures. And to be clear, the IO-8 are Dali’s mid-range headphones.
If spending over $1,250 on headphones is over your price range, look away now. In case your style in audio tends to rise above the typical, and also you’re prepared to half methods with that a lot money, you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher pair of headphones at this value vary.
In abstract, if you happen to can afford them, do not hesitate to purchase the IO-8s. I’ll simply go away you with two warnings:
- The IO-8s will break different headphones for you.
- The IO-8s may nicely put a everlasting smile in your face.
You have been warned.
Dali IO-8 headphones tech specs
- Frequency vary: 10 – 43,000 Hz
- Driver: 50mm with free edge paper fibre cone
- Headphone precept: Closed again circumaural (over ear)
- Impedance (Passive mode): 25 Ohm
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm mini jack, USB-C
- Bluetooth codecs: AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
- Battery life: As much as 35 hours (30 hours with ANC on)
- Weight: 325g
- Options: Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Hello-Fi and Bass sound modes
- IP52 sturdiness ranking
- Audio codecs: 16 – 24 bit, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz pattern charge
- Hello-Res Audio Licensed
