I've Yet To Find A Pair Of Headphones That Sound Better Than These - But There's A Catch

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Dali IO-8 headphones are disposable connected Amazon for $1,250.
• They nutrient a clarity of sound and separation that will rustle you away.
• The beige colorway isn't nan astir attractive, and nan designed excuses premium.

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I've been a connoisseur of headphones since nan 1980s. Back then, I was surviving connected a student's fund and couldn't spend nan champion of nan best. Still, I sought retired headphones that not only I could spend but delivered a sound worthy of my discerning palette.

Whenever I saw personification pinch headphones, I'd ask, "Can I effort those?" hoping to find conscionable nan correct pair.

Fast-forward to now, and I person a batch of headphones for review. Every clip I unfastened a pair, I think, "Please, rustle maine away." A fewer person reached specified highs (such arsenic astir thing from Beyerdynamic), but moreover those I wouldn't spot successful nan audiophile category.

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Recently, I received an connection to reappraisal a brace of headphones from a institution I'd ne'er heard of called Dali. The headphones successful question? The IO-8 over-ear headphones. 

Before I spell immoderate further, nan IO-8s person a hefty value tag of $1,250 connected Amazon. Because of that price, nan IO-8s service a alternatively niche audience, but they service it truthful well. Why do I opportunity that? Simple: nan IO-8 headphones are nan champion brace I've ever placed complete my ears.

My experience

There's 1 peculiar opus I for illustration to propulsion retired erstwhile I really request to cheque nan sonic value of headphones. That opus is "Tricycle" by Flim & The BBs. Back successful nan mid-nineties, I worked for an audio institution that installed sound systems that reached six and 7 figures. 

After we'd decorativeness an installation job, nan proprietor would travel successful pinch immoderate superior exertion and "noise" nan strategy by introducing achromatic and pinkish sound done nan speakers. Once they had everything dialed in, nan proprietor would play "Tricycle" to spot really it sounded. If nan strategy could play that opus to his insane standards, he'd telephone nan occupation done.

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I don't play "Tricycle" for each headphone reappraisal (because astir headphones can't do it justice); but erstwhile I saw nan value tag for nan IO-8 headphones, I knew playing this portion would instantly pass maine really good they performed.

The controls are easy to access.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

This opus is simply a splendid portion of euphony that really highlights a speaker's soundstage and really good it tin grip lows and highs. I'm present to show you nan IO-8s handled it to perfection. These are, without a doubt, nan best-sounding wireless headphones I've ever experienced.

Ever. Period.

And this is without having to instal an app and set nan EQ curve to meet my discerning taste. I simply turned them on, paired them pinch my Pixel 9 Pro, and tapped play connected Spotify. These babies are magic. 

The IO-8 headphones person 2 modes: bass and hi-fi. By default, they are group connected hi-fi, which was stunning. The bass mode was a spot overmuch for "Tricycle," truthful I switched it up and tapped play connected Devin Townsend's "PowerNerd." The bass mode connected this opus bumped up until it felt for illustration a elephantine was dancing connected my head.

It was head-banging glory. I'm not going to spell done a group database of songs I played for testing because I tin conscionable opportunity 1 point astir them all: Brilliant!

Also: These Beyerdynamic headphones present premium and rich | sound while undercutting nan competition

That's right. The IO-8 headphones played each opus and genre for illustration they were built specifically for that peculiar song. The only downside of this acquisition is that each different brace I trial from this constituent connected retired will astir apt not measurement up. 

This is not hyperbole, arsenic these headphones are nan existent deal.

ZDNET's buying advice

The Dali IO-8 headphones are expensive, nary doubt. But erstwhile you're looking astatine headphones connected this level, you should expect prices to soar into nan 4 and 5 figures. And to beryllium clear, nan IO-8 are Dali's mid-range headphones. 

If spending complete $1,250 connected headphones is complete your budget, look distant now. If your sensation successful audio tends to emergence supra nan average, and you're consenting to portion ways pinch that overmuch cash, you'd beryllium hard-pressed to find a amended brace of headphones astatine this value range. 

In summary, if you tin spend them, don't hesitate to bargain nan IO-8s. I will conscionable time off you pinch 2 warnings: 

1. The IO-8s will ruin different headphones for you.
2. The IO-8s mightiness good put a imperishable grin connected your face.

You've been warned.

Dali IO-8 headphones tech specs

• Frequency range: 10 - 43,000 Hz
• Driver: 50mm pinch free separator insubstantial fibre cone
• Headphone principle: Closed backmost 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: Up to 35 hours (30 hours pinch ANC on)
• Weight: 325g
• Features: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Hi-Fi and Bass sound modes
• IP52 durability rating
• Audio formats: 16 - 24 bit, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz sample rate
• Hi-Res Audio Certified