I’ve but to discover a pair of headphones that sound higher than these – however there’s an issue

Key findings from ZDNET

• The Dali IO-8 headphones can be found on Amazon for $1,250.
• They produce a sound readability and separation that can shock you.
• The beige colorway is not essentially the most engaging, and the design feels premium.

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I have been a headphone connoisseur for the reason that Eighties. Again then, I lived on a pupil finances and could not afford the perfect of the perfect. Nonetheless, I regarded for headphones that I couldn’t solely afford, however that delivered sound worthy of my discerning palette.

Every time I noticed somebody with headphones, I’d ask, “Can I strive them?” hoping to seek out the correct match.

Quick ahead to now and I get plenty of headphones for evaluation. Each time I open a pair, I feel, “Please shock me.” Some have reached such heights (like something from Beyerdynamic), however even these I would not put within the audiophile class.

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I not too long ago received a proposal to check a pair of headphones from an organization I might by no means heard of referred to as Dali. The headphones in query? THE IO-8 headphones.

Earlier than I’m going any additional, the IO-8s have a hefty price ticket of $1,250 on Amazon. Due to this value, the IO-8s serve a really particular viewers, however they serve them very properly. Why do I say this? Easy: the IO-8 headphones are the perfect pair I’ve ever put in my ears.

My expertise

There’s one music specifically that I wish to hearken to once I actually need to examine the sound high quality of my headphones. That music is “Tricycle” by Flim & The BBs. Within the mid-90s, I labored for an audio firm that put in six- and seven-figure sound methods.

After we completed the set up work, the proprietor would arrive with some severe expertise and “noise” into the system, introducing white and pink noise by means of the audio system. After the whole lot was dialed in, the proprietor would play “Triciclo” to see the way it sounded. If the system might play that music to its insane requirements, it will contemplate the job executed.

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I don’t play “Tricycle” in each headphone evaluation (as a result of most headphones don’t do it justice); however once I noticed the worth tag on the IO-8 headphones, I knew that taking part in this piece would instantly let me know the way they carried out.

This music is a splendid piece of music that basically highlights the soundstage of a speaker and the way properly it may well deal with bass and treble. I am right here to inform you that the IO-8s dealt with this completely. These are, indisputably, the best-sounding wi-fi headphones I’ve ever tried.

All the time. Interval.

And that is with out the necessity to set up an app and alter the equalization curve to go well with my extra demanding tastes. I merely turned them on, paired them with my Pixel 9 Professional, and tapped play on Spotify. These infants are magical.

The IO-8 headphones have two modes: bass and excessive constancy. By default they’re set to excessive constancy, which was spectacular. Bass mode was somewhat an excessive amount of for “Tricycle,” so I switched it up and performed Devin Townsend’s “PowerNerd.” The bass mode of this music elevated till it felt like an enormous was dancing in my head.

It was head-banging glory. I am not going to record the songs I performed for testing as a result of I can solely say one factor about all of them: Good!

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That is proper. The IO-8 headphones performed each music and style as in the event that they have been constructed particularly for that particular music. The one draw back to this experiment is that each different pair you strive from this level ahead will in all probability not measure up.

This isn’t an exaggeration as these headphones are actual.

ZDNET Shopping for Recommendation

The Dali IO-8 headphones are costly, indisputably. However once you have a look at headphones at this degree, it is best to count on costs to climb into 4 and 5 figures. And to be clear, the IO-8 are Dali’s mid-range headphones.

If spending greater than $1,250 on headphones is past your finances, look away now. In case your style in audio tends to run above common and also you’re prepared to spend that a lot cash, you may be hard-pressed to discover a higher pair of headphones on this value vary.

Briefly, for those who can afford them, do not hesitate to purchase the IO-8s. I will simply go away two warnings:

1. The IO-8s will smash different headphones for you.
2. IO-8s might very properly put a everlasting smile in your face.

You could have been warned.

Dali IO-8 headphones technical specs

• Frequency vary: 10 – 43,000 Hz
• Driver: 50mm with free edge paper fiber cone
• Headphone precept: Closed again circumaural (over the 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 to 24-bit pattern price, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz
• Hello-Res Audio Certificates