DALI is best known for its speakers, but the wireless headphones in the iO line follow the same engineering philosophy. The new DALI iO-12 and DALI iO-8 arrive for anyone who wants wireless sound without giving up the sonic rigor an audiophile expects. Both combine wireless use with a passive cable mode, which makes them as useful while traveling as when connected to a Hi-Fi system at home. In this guide we explain what sets them apart, what they share, which accessories are available for each model, and how they compare to the already familiar DALI IO-6.
DALI iO-12
The DALI iO-12 is the top of DALI's headphone range and one of the few noise-cancelling headphones an audiophile takes seriously. The big news is the SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material in the driver's magnetic system: it's the same technology used in the brand's flagship speakers, and it serves the same purpose, drastically reducing the distortion caused by magnetic hysteresis. The iO-12 are the world's first headphones to use this material.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is designed for travel, with the option to turn it off completely when you want to hear the headphone in full transparency. The iO-12 work in wireless mode (Bluetooth) or with a cable. The available finish is Dark Chocolate, and the ear pads are replaceable.
DALI iO-8
The DALI iO-8 work both wirelessly and connected by cable in passive mode, a rare flexibility that makes them equally useful while traveling and connected to a headphone amplifier at home. In wireless mode they use Bluetooth. In passive mode, with a cable, with no electronics in between, they are ideal for anyone who already owns a good DAC or headphone amplifier.
DALI applied to the iO-8 the same philosophy as its speakers: low distortion, natural response and no temptation to exaggerate the bass to impress. The available finish is Caramel White, and the ear pads are replaceable.
What About the IO-6?
The DALI IO-6 remains in the range and continues to be a reference in the category. It is wireless (Bluetooth 5.0, with AAC, aptX and aptX HD), has active noise cancellation (ANC) and offers up to 30 hours of battery life, charging up to 100% in 2.5 hours via USB-C. If it runs out of power, it keeps working in passive mode through the supplied Mini-Jack cable.
The full-range driver is a 50 mm free-edge paper fibre cone, with a frequency response of 10 to 20,000 Hz and a maximum SPL of 100 dB. The ear pads are memory foam covered in soft synthetic leather, designed for comfort and seal throughout the day. They are replaceable, keeping the same standard of comfort over the headphone's working life. The build is closed-back, circumaural (over ear), weighing 325 grams, with one-way foldable compact storage and an IP53 rating.
Connectivity includes a USB-C input for digital audio streaming from Windows or Mac, plus the wired analogue Mini-Jack. The onboard controls let you power on and off, pair Bluetooth, adjust volume, control playback and tracks, take calls, and switch between ANC, transparency and off modes. Hands-free calls use CVC (Clear Voice Communication) technology for clearer voice pickup. Included accessories are a USB-C cable, a 3.5 mm stereo cable, a flight adaptor and a travel case. The IO-6 has also been recognized by Forbes and the EISA Awards.
Accessories
The DALI iO-12 Ear Pads are the original replacement ear pads for the iO-12 headphones, in the Dark Chocolate finish, sold as a pair. Replacing them restores the original comfort and isolation, and with them the tonal balance, which degrades as the foam compresses with use.
The DALI iO Ear Pads are the original replacement ear pads compatible with the DALI iO-4 and iO-6, also sold as a pair. On the iO-8 product page, DALI points precisely to the DALI iO Ear Pads as the reference for replacing its ear pads.
For travel, the DALI iO Travel Case is the official travel case for DALI iO headphones: hard on the outside, lined on the inside, with room for the headphones and the cables.
You can see the full range in the DALI collection and compare it with other options in Bluetooth headphones and earphones.
| Model | Noise cancelling | Passive mode with cable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DALI iO-12 | Yes (ANC, can be turned off) | Yes | 999€ |
| DALI iO-8 | No | Yes | 599€ |
| DALI IO-6 | Yes (ANC) | Yes (passive "Off" mode with Mini-Jack) | 399€ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the DALI iO-8 have noise cancellation?
No. The iO-8 product page does not list noise cancellation. It's the iO-12 that has ANC, with the option to turn it off completely.
Can I use the DALI iO-12 or iO-8 with a cable, without Bluetooth?
Yes. Both work in wireless mode (Bluetooth) or with a cable, in passive mode, which lets you connect them directly to a headphone amplifier or a DAC with no electronics in between.
Are the ear pads on the DALI iO-12 and iO-8 replaceable?
Yes, on both models. For the iO-12 there are the DALI iO-12 Ear Pads, in the Dark Chocolate finish. For the iO-8, the product page points to the DALI iO Ear Pads.
If you're still deciding where to start with a high-fidelity system, our guide to choosing a high-fidelity system helps organize the priorities. To get the most out of the DALI iO-12 or iO-8 in passive mode, it's worth exploring our range of headphone amplifiers.