DALI IO-12 Over-The-Ear Wireless/Wired Hi-Fi Headphones with ANC, Bluetooth AptX & Patented SMC Driver Technology, 35 Hours Battery Life

These DALI IO-12 headphones are nothing short of a revelation in the world of high-fidelity audio. These over-the-ear headphones seamlessly combine cutting-edge technology with timeless design, resulting in an exceptional listening experience that is sure to impress even the most discerning audiophiles.Design and ComfortFrom the moment you unbox the DALI IO-12, it’s clear that these headphones are crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The sleek and elegant design, featuring premium materials and a minimalist aesthetic, exudes sophistication. The ear cups are luxuriously padded, providing a snug yet comfortable fit that is perfect for extended listening sessions.World-First Driver TechnologyWhat made me want to buy them is they use the same technology from their high end speakers. To me. it's a revolutionary driver technology. The 50 mm custom-developed Hi-Fi headphone drive unit is the world's first to feature DALI's patented distortion-eliminating SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) magnet technology. This groundbreaking innovation significantly reduces mechanical distortion, resulting in incredibly clear and accurate sound reproduction. The SMC technology ensures that you hear your music exactly as the artist intended, with every detail and nuance perfectly preserved.Sound QualityThe DALI IO-12 headphones deliver a rich, detailed, and immersive audio experience that brings your favorite music to life. The soundstage is expansive, allowing you to hear every nuance and subtlety in your music. The bass is deep and powerful without being overwhelming, the mids are smooth and natural, and the highs are crisp and clear. Whether you’re listening to classical, jazz, rock, or electronic music, the DALI IO-12 handles every genre with finesse and precision.Wireless and Wired FlexibilityOne of the greatest strengths of the DALI IO-12 is its versatility. These headphones offer both wireless and wired connectivity, giving you the best of both worlds. The wireless performance is exceptional, with a stable Bluetooth connection that ensures uninterrupted listening. The battery life is impressive, providing up to 35 hours of playback on a single charge. For those who prefer a wired connection, the included high-quality cable ensures that you get the best possible sound quality.Features and FunctionalityThe DALI IO-12 headphones are packed with features that enhance the overall listening experience. The intuitive touch controls on the ear cups allow you to easily adjust volume, skip tracks, and answer calls without reaching for your device. The built-in microphone delivers clear call quality, making these headphones perfect for both music and communication. Additionally, the active noise cancellation effectively blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music.SpecificationsFrequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 10 - 48,000Maximum SPL [dB]: 100Headphone Principle: Closed back circumaural (over ear)Impedance (Passive mode) [ohms]: 25Connection Input: Bluetooth® 5.2, 3.5 mm mini jack, USB-CFull Range Driver: 50 mm with SMC based magnet systemWireless Input Audio Codecs: AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX AdaptiveBattery Playback Time: Up to 35 hoursInput Audio Formats: 16 - 24 bit audio, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz sample rateNegativesMy first set had major issues with clicking and popping. It seems to come and go when you turned the ear piece fully to the left and right. I wish you had more control over the noise cancellation BUT is is very good for the few settings they give you. The "BASS" setting seems to muffle the high end range some. I love my bass but it totally muddled the high end. I actually think that the HIFI setting is perfect. Maybe change BASS to more of a old school "LOUDNESS" setting?ConclusionIn conclusion, the DALI IO-12 Over-The-Ear Wireless/Wired Hi-Fi Headphones are a true masterpiece in the world of audio. With their stunning design, exceptional comfort, unrivaled sound quality, and groundbreaking driver technology, these headphones set a new standard for what high-fidelity audio should be. Whether you’re a casual listener or a hardcore audiophile, the DALI IO-12 will exceed your expectations and provide an extraordinary listening experience. Highly recommended!

A few years ago I went on a mission to get the best sounding wireless headphones I could find. I went through all the major players like Bowers & Wilkins PX7 and PX8, Mark Levinson No 5909, Focal Bathys, and a few others and the Bang & Olufsen H95 stood out as the best for sound and build quality. Everyone that tried the H95 headphones were blown away at how much better they sounded compared to what most people *thought* were good headphones (looking at you Bose & Beats!).So having seen all the hype on these Dali headphones, I had to give them a try just to be sure I wasn't missing out on anything. OMG no joke, these Dali headphones make my H95 headphones sound like I have cotton in my hears. The sound from the Dali is noticeably more vibrant and crisp, more powerful amp (The H95 has always been on the underpowered side), and the build quality and comfort is so much better. Also the ANC was so-so on the H95 but it's outstanding on the Dali, reminds me of the ANC of my Sony MX3.My H95 were stuck at 24bit 48khz bitrate but the Dali operates at 24bit 96khz bitrate on my Android phone using the aptX Adaptive codec.I paid nearly $1k a few years ago for my H95 headphones but these Dali headphones are so much better that they are worth upgrading to them now.Side note - I also have the HiFiMAN Sundara planar headphones and if you've ever heard those, you have an idea of what these Dali headphones sound like in terms of clarity and crisp sound. To be fair, I'm powering the Sundara planar headphones with a Questyle M15i so I'm sure they have much more room to shine (The Sundara) so perhaps my comparison isn't valid for those with a better amp powering your Sundara. Take it with a grain of sand.

I will confess I was dubious these could be worth the price. So much so that I very carefully preserved all the packaging in case I wanted to return them. I won’t be.A bit of searching online and you come across comments like “just get the Sony and save your money.” I am glad I ignored that advice.My use case: I have a pair of Apple Airpod Max. They have amazing ANC. And they sound pretty darn good. And they work seamlessly with Apple products, which our household is full of. But they are heavy. As in HEAVY. I cannot wear them for more than an hour or two before they become too uncomfortable. That is a problem because my #1 use case is long-haul air travel. The AirPod Max also require a third party accessory to connect to in-flight entertainment systems. And no way to use them with my headphone amps at home.Speaking of, I own some reasonably high end open back headphones from Hifiman, Focal, etc., and have suitable tube headphone amps from Schiit, Xduoo, McIntosh, etc., to drive them. The Dali, running on its own internal DAC, stands up to any of them, but goes where they cannot: bluetooth compatibility and, most especially, active noise cancellation (ANC) that is very good.My maiden voyage with them was an overseas flight to Paris. I selected the movie Dune and plugged the Dali into the plane’s double prong audio port (thankfully Dali includes the adapter or aid have been listening in mono). OMG. I had no idea in-flight entertainment could sound so good. Like movie theater on an airplane. I’ve since been listening to Tidal over bluetooth from my iPhone and am equally amazed.These are not cheap. But my airline ticket cost way more and these Dali will make all of my travel that much more enjoyable, so a worthy investment. Bonus is I can run them in passive mode on my amps at home so they serve double duty.I never do Amazon reviews but hope this helps someone in my shoes.

Build, battery life, comfort, etc. are all great. Sound quality is just superlative.I use them wired and wireless, and it’s amazing how much detail they can pluck out of lower resolution files. With lossless files, you just don’t want to stop listening.Another thing to mention is sound stage. Usually a closed back headphone like this one can’t compete against an open back headphone in this area, but these headphones somehow do. Perhaps it’s the additional clarity and instrument separation the drivers create. Listening wired with the power on, these are on a par with my Hifiman 1000 Stealth.Dali claim an identical sound signature whether you listen wireless, wired with power off, or wired with power on. I think that’s true, but for the most detail and clarity, wired and powered is the way to go.

What can I say, apart from amazing sound! +++AAA+++