I’ve but to discover a pair of headphones that sound higher than these – however there is a catch

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I have been a connoisseur of headphones for the reason that Eighties. Again then, I used to be dwelling on a pupil’s finances and could not afford one of the best of one of the best. Nonetheless, I sought out headphones that not solely I may afford however delivered a sound worthy of my discerning palette.

Every time I noticed somebody with headphones, I would ask, “Can I strive these?” hoping to seek out simply the precise pair.

Quick-forward to now, and I obtain plenty of headphones for evaluate. Each time I open a pair, I feel, “Please, blow me away.” A couple of have reached such highs (corresponding to about something from Beyerdynamic), however even these I would not place within the audiophile class.

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Not too long ago, I acquired a suggestion to evaluate a pair of headphones from an organization I would by no means heard of known as Dali. The headphones in query? The IO-8 over-ear headphones. 

Earlier than I am going any additional, the IO-8s have a hefty price ticket of $1,250 on Amazon. Due to that worth, the IO-8s serve a reasonably area of interest viewers, however they serve it so effectively. Why do I say that? Easy: the IO-8 headphones are one of the best pair I’ve ever positioned over my ears.

My expertise

There’s one explicit music I like to drag out after I really want to examine the sonic high quality of headphones. That music is “Tricycle” by Flim & The BBs. Again within the mid-nineties, I labored for an audio firm that put in sound techniques that reached six and 7 figures. 

After we would end an set up job, the proprietor would are available in with some critical expertise and “noise” the system by introducing white and pink noise via the audio system. As soon as they’d the whole lot dialed in, the proprietor would play “Tricycle” to see the way it sounded. If the system may play that music to his insane requirements, he’d name the job accomplished.

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I do not play “Tricycle” for each headphone evaluate (as a result of most headphones cannot do it justice); however after I noticed the worth tag for the IO-8 headphones, I knew taking part in this piece would instantly inform me how effectively they carried out.

This music is a splendid piece of music that basically highlights a speaker’s soundstage and the way effectively it might deal with lows and highs. I am right here to inform you the IO-8s dealt with it to perfection. These are, undoubtedly, the best-sounding wi-fi headphones I’ve ever skilled.

Ever. Interval.

And that is with out having to put in an app and modify the EQ curve to satisfy my discerning style. I merely turned them on, paired them with my Pixel 9 Professional, and tapped play on Spotify. These infants are magic. 

The IO-8 headphones have two modes: bass and hi-fi. By default, they’re set on hi-fi, which was gorgeous. The bass mode was a bit a lot for “Tricycle,” so I switched it up and tapped play on Devin Townsend’s “PowerNerd.” The bass mode on this music bumped up till it felt like an enormous was dancing on my head.

It was head-banging glory. I am not going to undergo a set listing of songs I performed for testing as a result of I can simply say one factor about all of them: Good!

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That is proper. The IO-8 headphones performed each music and style like they had been constructed particularly for that specific music. The one draw back of this expertise is that each different pair I check from this level on out will in all probability not measure up. 

This isn’t hyperbole, as these headphones are the actual deal.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Dali IO-8 headphones are costly, little question. However whenever you’re taking a look at headphones on this degree, you must anticipate costs to soar into the 4 and 5 figures. And to be clear, the IO-8 are Dali’s mid-range headphones. 

If spending over $1,250 on headphones is over your finances, look away now. In case your style in audio tends to rise above the common, and also you’re prepared to half methods with that a lot money, you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher pair of headphones at this worth vary. 

In abstract, when you can afford them, do not hesitate to purchase the IO-8s. I’ll simply go away you with two warnings: 

1. The IO-8s will wreck different headphones for you.
2. The IO-8s may effectively put a everlasting smile in your face.

You have been warned.

Dali IO-8 headphones tech specs

• Frequency vary: 10 – 43,000 Hz
• Driver: 50mm with free edge paper fibre cone
• Headphone precept: Closed again 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: As much as 35 hours (30 hours with ANC on)
• Weight: 325g
• Options: Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Hello-Fi and Bass sound modes
• IP52 sturdiness score
• Audio codecs: 16 – 24 bit, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz pattern fee
• Hello-Res Audio Licensed