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As you’ve seen from my articles here, I’m very much a fan over over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (aka ANC) for daily use, particularly in a work-from-home setup. If you find yourself inclined in that direction, but consider yourself an audiophile, then current wireless offerings might have not fit your needs. That is, until the DALI IO-8 was announced.
DALI IO-8: what it is
At a basic level, the DALI IO-8 headphones are going to feel familiar. They’re an over-ear headset that can be used wirelessly (thanks, Bluetooth!) or wired (with a standard 3.5mm jack), and a three-selection level of active noise cancellation: off, on, or transparency mode (so you can hear what’s going on around you).
There DALI elevates things is by taking their expertise in speakers, and turning that attention to the sound reproduction in the headphones. To start with, you’ve got 50mm drivers, made of a paper fiber for a rich reproduction. You can also choose to give things a bass boost if you like, and when you turn on the ANC, sound reproduction should not be compromised.
All the rest of the details
Here’s everything that DALI (and Lenbrook Americas) have to say about the DALI IO-8 headphones:
- True Hi-Fi Sound: DALI has ensured that the IO-8 headphones are designed and engineered using the same sound principles they use when designing their full-size loudspeakers, such as the recently announced RUBIKORE Speakers. The IO-8 are true Hi-Fi speakers in headphone form. The 50mm driver reflects this thinking and means the IO-8 offers the biggest driver in the category.
- Wired or Wireless: With the IO-8, DALI’s engineers strove to deliver a headphone that covers both wired or wireless use equally as well. The IO-8 is a high-performing conventional, passive analogue headphone, yet it can also be used wirelessly for on-the-go convenience.
- Audiophile Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): DALI’s Audiophile ANC technology delivers an immersive listening experience, ensuring the audio quality is not compromised. The ANC on the IO-8 features three settings: ANC ON / Transparency / ANC OFF.
- No App Required: Thanks to intuitive multifunction buttons on the headphones, the IO-8 is able to be operated with one hand, without the need for a smartphone app. Simply connect headphones to an audio source and start listening in seconds.
- Dual Sound Modes: Whether listeners like their music as the artist intended or prefer a punchier, bass-focused performance, the IO-8’s ‘Hi-Fi’ and ‘Bass’ sound modes lets users listen to their music just the way they want it.
- Paper Fiber Driver Diaphragms: DALI speaker driver diaphragms are made exclusively from proprietary paper and wood fiber materials. The paper fiber material used in the IO-8 drivers employs randomly aligned fibers of variable length to create a light yet stiff diaphragm that offers optimal damping. The result is natural, relaxed sound quality brimming with detail.
- Premium and Durable Materials: The IO-8 ear pads are finished in luxurious, high quality real leather. In addition, the headphones feature a radial brushed and anodized finish to the ear cup external surfaces.
Wrapping things up
The DALI IO-8 will be available in two colors, Iron Black or Caramel White. Regardless of hue, they’ll be commanding $900, so these are definitely not like the headphones you’ll find in your local big box store. They’re up for pre-order right now, with delivery anticipated for later this month. dali-speakers.com
DALI IO-8 Tech Specs
- Frequency Range [+/- 3] dB [Hz]: 10 – 43,000
- Headphone Principle: Closed back circumaural (over ear)
- Impedance (Passive mode) [ohms]: 25
- Full Range Driver: 50 mm
- Connection Input: Bluetooth® 5.2, 3.5 mm mini jack, USB-C
- Wireless Input Audio Codecs: AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
- Battery Playback Time: Up to 35 hours
- Input Audio Formats: 16 – 24 bit audio, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz sample rate
- Weight [gr]: 325
