DALI IO-12 (Dark Chocolate) is rated
out of
5 by
1.
DALI IO-12 (Dark Chocolate)
Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones
£999
Disabled assistance
All products that are available to purchase on the Richer Sounds website can be delivered free to blind, partially sighted or those with a disability. Find out more
Please contact web after sales for more info.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
Disabled assistance
All products that are available to purchase on the Richer Sounds website can be delivered free to blind, partially sighted or those with a disability. Find out more
Please contact web after sales for more info.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
Delivering true hi-fi sound, with convenience, the DALI IO-12 are premium quality headphones in every respect.
DALI speaker technology – now available in headphones
As one of the world’s most innovative speaker brands, DALI are at the forefront of luxury sound. With the IO-12s, they’ve transferred this unparalleled expertise to headphones, producing the same striking sound quality for music on the move or listening in private at home. Best of all, thanks to wireless connectivity and noise cancelling technology, they’ve done this without compromising on convenience.
SMC drivers for pure, distortion-free sound
DALI’s IO-12 headphones are the world’s first to use its patented SMC technology. Combined with their signature fibre cones it gives you the same precise, lifelike sound that marks out DALI speakers as something special. Exceptional clarity and precision breathes life into your music, with the captivating sound quality setting these headphones apart from others. Larger than many competitor’s speaker drivers, the custom units are strong in dynamic ability and low in distortion.
Enjoy your music, free from background noise
Built-in active noise cancellation makes these DALI headphones ideal for music on the move. The technology blocks distracting background noise, making traveling by train, plane or coach much more relaxing. The technology also comes into its own when working in a busy office environment.
Wireless or wired
Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity with aptX Adaptive technology delivers premium quality, cable-free sound, giving you the most detail and clearest sound when paired with your device’s Bluetooth output. For further improved sound, you can use the supplied cable. Even better, a USB-C connection gives the potential for the highest quality 24-bit/96Hz Hi-Res sound from your digital music files.
Long-lasting battery
With up to 35 hours battery life, the DALI IO-12 headphones are amongst the longest lasting in their class. Use without ANC and wireless connectivity and they become passive headphones that don’t require the batteries at all, giving you the best of all worlds.
Supreme comfort
With their larger than average earpads, the IO-12 headphones sit snuggly around your ears. The soft padding provides long-term comfort and helps further isolate you from outside noise. Featuring fold flat earpads and supplied with a premium quality case, they make the ideal travel companion.
Enjoy ultimate sound quality, at home or on the move, with the DALI IO-12.
DALI speaker technology – now available in headphones
As one of the world’s most innovative speaker brands, DALI are at the forefront of luxury sound. With the IO-12s, they’ve transferred this unparalleled expertise to headphones, producing the same striking sound quality for music on the move or listening in private at home. Best of all, thanks to wireless connectivity and noise cancelling technology, they’ve done this without compromising on convenience.
SMC drivers for pure, distortion-free sound
DALI’s IO-12 headphones are the world’s first to use its patented SMC technology. Combined with their signature fibre cones it gives you the same precise, lifelike sound that marks out DALI speakers as something special. Exceptional clarity and precision breathes life into your music, with the captivating sound quality setting these headphones apart from others. Larger than many competitor’s speaker drivers, the custom units are strong in dynamic ability and low in distortion.
Enjoy your music, free from background noise
Built-in active noise cancellation makes these DALI headphones ideal for music on the move. The technology blocks distracting background noise, making traveling by train, plane or coach much more relaxing. The technology also comes into its own when working in a busy office environment.
Wireless or wired
Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity with aptX Adaptive technology delivers premium quality, cable-free sound, giving you the most detail and clearest sound when paired with your device’s Bluetooth output. For further improved sound, you can use the supplied cable. Even better, a USB-C connection gives the potential for the highest quality 24-bit/96Hz Hi-Res sound from your digital music files.
Long-lasting battery
With up to 35 hours battery life, the DALI IO-12 headphones are amongst the longest lasting in their class. Use without ANC and wireless connectivity and they become passive headphones that don’t require the batteries at all, giving you the best of all worlds.
Supreme comfort
With their larger than average earpads, the IO-12 headphones sit snuggly around your ears. The soft padding provides long-term comfort and helps further isolate you from outside noise. Featuring fold flat earpads and supplied with a premium quality case, they make the ideal travel companion.
Enjoy ultimate sound quality, at home or on the move, with the DALI IO-12.
Overview
Type
Bluetooth, Closed Back, Over Ear
Connectivity
Audio Inputs
Yes - USB-C (high resolution audio)
Bluetooth
Yes
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
2 years
Audio
Frequency Response (Hz)
10 - 48,000
Sensitivity
100dB
Features
Closed back
Yes
Over Ear
Yes
Energy Consumption
Battery Life
Up to 35 hours
Rated 4 out of
5
by
TerryTrinder from
Excellent sound at home, poor ANC outdoors
I’ve read nearly all the published online reviews on these headphones and I had extremely high expectations. After unpacking them, I can confirm that they look really good, are soundly constructed, feel very comfortable on my head with their large ear-pads, have easy to use controls and most of all they have REALLY good sound for a wireless headphone. In the home, my limited listening told me they sounded great and - as all HiFi products need to burn-in- I expected them to improve with use.
However, as soon as I wore them on my usual 30 minute (twice a day) walk the noise cancelling - or rather the lack of it - became dreadfully obvious.
The large comfy ear pads do a reasonable amount to isolate you from your surroundings. BUT any trace of wind - and it seems to me it is always windy now - intruded in a way that I just couldn’t block out or ignore.
I tried turning ANC off, which helped reduce the wind noise a bit, but then passing traffic (just one car) was very obvious and ruined the excellent sound reproduction they give. I just couldn’t live with that.
This is such a great shame and seems totally at odds with all the reviews - which broadly say noise cancelling is not the best [think Bose] but OK.
So I had to return them, as right now I really need a pair of wireless headphones to replacing my aging Sony WH1000MX3. In fact, my old Sonys performed way better on reducing traffic noise - although music and speech reproduction is way worse than the Dali iO-12!
In summary, if you plan to just use these headphones around the house, I think you will be delighted with their clarity.
They don’t sound as good as my wired Focal Stellia, but you wouldn’t expect them to at this price.
Perversely, once I have got another pair of wireless headphones for outdoor duties, I think it very likely I will buy them again (from Richer Sound, naturally), because I have never heard a better pair of wireless headphones for use around the house.
Date published: 2024-04-12
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