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 can blow you away.
- The beige colorway is not essentially the most enticing, and the designed excuses premium.
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I have been a connoisseur of headphones because the Nineteen Eighties. Again then, I used to be dwelling on a scholar’s finances and could not afford the most effective of the most effective. Nonetheless, I sought out headphones that not solely I might afford however delivered a sound worthy of my discerning palette.
Every time I noticed somebody with headphones, I might ask, “Can I strive these?” hoping to seek out simply the proper pair.
Quick-forward to now, and I obtain loads of headphones for assessment. Each time I open a pair, I believe, “Please, blow me away.” A number of have reached such highs (equivalent to about something from Beyerdynamic), however even these I would not place within the audiophile class.
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Just lately, I acquired a proposal to assessment a pair of headphones from an organization I might by no means heard of known as Dali. The headphones in query? The IO-8 over-ear headphones.
Earlier than I’m going any additional, the IO-8s have a hefty price ticket of $1,250 on Amazon. Due to that worth, the IO-8s serve a quite area of interest viewers, however they serve it so effectively. Why do I say that? Easy: the IO-8 headphones are the most effective pair I’ve ever positioned over my ears.
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My expertise
There’s one specific music I like to drag out once I really want to verify the sonic high quality of headphones. That music is “Tricycle” by Flim & The BBs. Again within the mid-nineties, I labored for an audio firm that put in sound methods that reached six and 7 figures.
After we might end an set up job, the proprietor would are available in with some severe know-how and “noise” the system by introducing white and pink noise by the audio system. As soon as they’d every thing dialed in, the proprietor would play “Tricycle” to see the way it sounded. If the system might play that music to his insane requirements, he’d name the job carried out.
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I do not play “Tricycle” for each headphone assessment (as a result of most headphones cannot do it justice); however once I noticed the worth tag for the IO-8 headphones, I knew enjoying this piece would instantly inform me how effectively they carried out.
The controls are straightforward to entry.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
This music is a splendid piece of music that actually highlights a speaker’s soundstage and its capability to deal with lows and highs. I am right here to let you know the IO-8s dealt with it to perfection. These are, definitely, the best-sounding wi-fi headphones I’ve ever skilled.
Ever. Interval.
And that is with out having to put in an app and regulate 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.
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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 music bumped up till it felt like an enormous was dancing on my head.
It was head-banging glory. I am not going to undergo a set listing of songs I performed for testing as a result of I can simply say one factor about all of them: Good!
That is proper. The IO-8 headphones performed each music and style as in the event that they had been constructed particularly for each. The one draw back of this expertise is that each different pair I check from this level on will most likely 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 question. However while you’re headphones on this stage, it is best to anticipate costs to soar into the 4 and five-figure vary. And to be clear, the IO-8 are Dali’s mid-range headphones.
If spending over $1,250 on headphones is over your finances, 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 worth vary.
In abstract, in case you can afford them, do not hesitate to purchase the IO-8s. I’ll simply go away you with two warnings:
- The IO-8s will spoil different headphones for you.
- The IO-8s may effectively 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: Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Hello-Fi and Bass sound modes
- IP52 sturdiness score
- Audio codecs: 16 – 24 bit, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz pattern fee
- Hello-Res Audio Licensed
