Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Dali IO-12 review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT. I’ll also be comparing the Dali IO-12 vs Focal Bathys MG, Bang & Olufsen H100, Sennheiser HDB 630, Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, and more!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I’ve owned these headphones for a while now and have quite a few thoughts.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist.
Let’s dive right in!
Dali IO-12 Headphones review in short
The Dali IO-12 is the absolute best-sounding wireless headphone we’ve tested to date, with great comfort to boot. It’s just really expensive, bulky, and with average noise cancelling performance. Competes with Focal Bathys MG, Bang & Olufsen H100, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, Sennheiser HDB 630, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, and Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3.
Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class sound quality
- Great comfort
- Premium build quality
- The Price
- There’s much better value buys
- Bulky, large earcups
- Average Noise Cancelling performance
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Sound Quality
Initial listening impressions…
Dali is an audiophile brand that is primarily known for their loudspeakers.
Reading up on the development of the IO-12, I was particularly intrigued by the “Soft Magnetic Compound” drivers, apparently inspired by those very high-end speaker systems.
My expectations were quite high due to numerous people claiming that these are the “best sounding wireless headphones” in the market currently.
Well, upon my first listening, it was easy to see why people love these headphones.
Immediately open-sounding, detailed, airy, and lively. The IO-12 is not one of those headphones that requires a ton of brain burn-in or EQ to enjoy.
Dali aimed to recreate the loudspeaker experience in a headphone, and I think it’s safe to say they achieved it. I haven’t heard a bigger soundstage or better spacing/imaging in a wireless closed-back headphone until the IO-12.
Before I dive into the full sound test, I want to talk high-res codecs and the excellent wired listening mode.
First off, these support aptX Adaptive for high-res wireless audio.
Secondly, the wired mode via USB-C to USB-C cable unlocks lossless audio up to 24-bit / 96 kHz.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock aptX and LDAC support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Sound Profile
I would personally describe the IO-12’s sound as “neutral bright”.
In order of importance, I think it’s treble, mids, then bass.
The bass response is there (especially in “Bass Mode” of course), but it’s very clean and somewhat laid-back and relaxed.
Because the bass is well-controlled, it really allows the mids and treble to shine through the mix, which is why I say the sound is closer to neutral.
The treble is quite forward, fast-sounding, and makes the overall profile sound bright.
Overall, it’s a pretty immersive and engaging sound, with good tonal balance.
Full Sound Test
The first thing that jumps out to me is the sheer level of gorgeous detail, followed by the immense soundstage for a closed-back headphone.
The whole “loudspeaker experience in a headphone” thing is NOT a gimmick, and Dali executed quite well on delivering those Soft Magnetic Compound drivers in a headphone format.
No wireless headphone I’ve tested has a larger soundstage or better spacing and imaging than this.
Next, the detail in the treble is just exquisite. So many nuances and finer details in the music come through effortlessly.
The whole “hearing things you never heard before” phenomena is here in spades.
Plug these in via wired mode and the improved sound quality is on par with wired headphones in the $1,000 range or so.
There’s really only one wireless headphone that competes on a technical level, and that’s the one we’re comparing the IO-12 to first…
vs Focal Bathys MG
The Focal Bathys MG is really the only wireless headphone I’ve tested that can go toe-to-toe with the Dali IO-12.
The stock sound profiles are completely different, with the Bathys MG have a warmer, darker, smoother tone that is arguably more “reference-like”.
There’s a real thickness to the sound of the Bathys MG, that some may interpret as muddiness, but it’s really just the fullness of the mids taking over, followed by a strong bass response.
This is almost opposite to the IO-12, where I’d say its clean but laid-back bass is the “weakest” portion, and treble being the most forward and impressive aspect.
I do prefer the more impactful punchiness and slam of the Bathys MG’s bass, but the IO-12 just exudes crisp details that the smoother Bathys MG minimizes.
The soundstage on the IO-12 is indeed the largest, but the Bathys MG also sounds fairly “open-back” for the class. It’s pretty close.
Overall, this would probably boil down to preference, but despite my love for the original Focal Bathys and Bathys MG, I slightly lean Dali IO-12 in terms of pure technical sound quality and preferred sound profile.
vs Bang & Olufsen H100
The Bang & Olufsen H100 is the actual opposite to the Bathys MG, and is the classic “V-shaped” consumer-friendly tuning.
The Dali IO-12 is like a goldilocks between the two, being lively and musical but retaining some sense of tonal balance.
The mids are somewhat lacking on the H100, but the bass and treble do make up for it in terms of listening enjoyment.
On a technical level, I do put the H100 slightly below both the Dali IO-12 and Bathys MG. Although I will say its soundstage is pretty impressive and on par, at least for width but not depth.
Some of that due to tuning, but some of it due to hardware and lack of any high-res codec support.
Either way, the H100 is still fun to listen to and full of detail, it just doesn’t have the most realistic timbre in the midrange, making it a bit more limited towards the modern genres.
vs Sennheiser HDB 630
The Sennheiser HDB 630 is kind of like a flatter, more “accurate” version of the Dali IO-12.
While the IO-12 is lively and musical while delivering detail, the HDB 630 is much more measured and noticeably less “fun”.
I think the IO-12 makes the soundstage sound smaller on the HDB 630, one of the very few nitpicks on an otherwise excellent headphone.
Overall, I have the HDB 630 competing more with the likes of the Bang & Olufsen H100 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, just missing out on the elite tier of the Focal Bathys MG and Dali IO-12.
Sound Quality Score: 9.8 out of 10
Comfort
The Dali IO-12 is one of the heaviest headphones we’ve tested:
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) – 236.1 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM5 – 245.9 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) – 254.4 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) – 262.2 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e – 305.2 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 – 312.0 grams
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 313.4 grams
- Sonos Ace – 318.1 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – 320.1 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H95 – 323 grams
- Focal Bathys – 350 grams
- Focal Bathys MG – 365.5 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H100 – 375.6 grams
- Dali IO-12 – 379.4 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 387.8 grams
Despite its weight, I actually find the Dali IO-12 one of the more comfortable headphones I’ve tested to date.
The clamping force is very relaxed, and the earcups are huge in diameter, leading to a very non-intrusive fit on the head.
That said, the weight will always be there, even if the headband does a decent job of making you not feel it.
My one gripe is that the earcups are a bit shallow, and my ears do press against the fabric mesh inside the earcup, but luckily not touching any hardware.
Comfort Score: 9.0 out of 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality
Features
The Dali IO-12 was released in October 2023 and has the typical modern wireless ANC headphone features:
- Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive
- Lossless Audio via wired USB-C cable
- Multiple built-in microphones for taking calls
- “Bass Mode”
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Includes a large-sized premium Hard Shell case
The IO-12 is rather light on features, as it does NOT have a companion smartphone app for customizing the headphones, custom EQ, or updating firmware. For this, I have to dock a point personally.
Dali IO-12 Battery Life
The Dali IO-12 has 35 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Marshall Monitor III – 70 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE – 60 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Audeze Maxwell – 80 hours (no ANC included)
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 60 hours
- Dali IO-12 – 35 hours (ANC on)
- Focal Bathys MG – “Over 30 hours” (ANC on)
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 40 hours (ANC off), 30 hours (ANC on)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – 30 hours
- Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 – 30 hours
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Px8 – 30 hours
- Sonos Ace – 30 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) – 24 hours
- AirPods Max – 20 hours
In my testing, I found this figure to be accurate.
35 hours is slightly above-average for the class.
Build Quality
The build quality on the Dali IO-12 is mostly excellent, featuring premium materials like a metal headband and leather-bound throughout the earcups and headband.
My only issue is that a large part of the earcups that you touch while handling the headphones seems to be made of plastic.
When you contrast this with the Focal Bathys MG and Bang & Olufsen H100, those two feel slightly more premium due to less plastic used throughout.
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality Score: 8.0 out of 10
Dali IO-12 Noise Cancelling Performance
If there’s one weakness to the IO-12, aside from its bulk and lack of a smartphone app, I would say the noise cancelling is just average for this class.
Now the benefit to this is that it doesn’t aggressively interfere with the sound quality, like some others that have a strong hiss or affect tonality.
That said, it’s fine and does its job, but is clearly below the elite options from Bose, Sony, and Apple AirPods Max.
I would also slightly prefer the Focal Bathys MG and Bang & Olufsen H100’s ANC, although those are more in line with the Dali IO-12.
Noise Cancelling Score: 7.5 out of 10
Value
Let’s face it, with a $1,750 USD retail pricetag, the Dali IO-12 is not a headphone you purchase going bargain-hunting.
What you’re really paying for is the absolute best wireless sound quality we’ve tested to date, spanning over 40+ wireless headphones tested.
Combine that with really strong comfort, and an even better-sounding wired mode, and the Dali IO-12 is a smart choice for the audiophile enthusiast who wants the flexibility to go wireless.
Overall, it’s not a great value, but I do think the IO-12 justifies its price to a certain degree.
Value Score: 6.0 out of 10
Is the Dali IO-12 Worth it?
The Dali IO-12 is the absolute best-sounding wireless headphone tested to date.
It just so happens to cost a pretty penny at $1,750.
Although my immediate answer would be a quick “no” to the question of “worth it”, I’ve found myself numerous times listening to the Dali IO-12 and simply getting lost in the music.
Isn’t that what it’s all about?
That said, the Focal Bathys MG competes on sound quality while arguably being a better all-arounder.
And if you want to save some big bucks, you can find competitive sound quality in the Sennheiser HDB 630 and Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2.
Also, if you’d like to support 100% independent unbiased reviews, consider using my affiliate links to shop and even save money! Thank you.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Focal Bathys MG
- Bang & Olufsen H100
- Sennheiser HDB 630
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- Focal Bathys
- Audeze Maxwell
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
- Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Apple AirPods Max
- Sonos Ace
Some Relevant Comparisons in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Apple AirPods Max
- Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality (50% of score): 9.8 / 10
Comfort (10% of score): 9.0 / 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality (10% of score): 8.0 / 10
Noise Cancelling (20% of score): 7.5 / 10
Value (10% of score): 6.0 / 10
Overall: 8.70 / 10
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
