Tom’s Guide Verdict
The Dali IO-8 are a spectacular pair of headphones faultless, almost.
Excellent build
Great, well-rounded sound
Useful on-rig EQ shift
Solid controls
No app…
No App?!
There are loads of things you could buy if youve got $900 in your pocket.
Or, you could grab yourself a pair of these thealmostdivine Dali IO-8 wireless noise-canceling headphones.
There are a whole bunch of different reasons to pick up a pair of Dali IO-8s.
They sound sublime, theyre very comfortable, and they feel great in the hand.
Theyll set you back 599, and youll find them everywhere from Richer Sounds toAmazon.
This is where youll pay that lofty $900 price tag.
Australian buyers have difficulty as well you could either import, or buy something else.
Theres currently no official price for the Dali IO-8 in Australia.
There are, of course, other options for lower prices.
TheAirPods Max, a pair of headphones that most people would call expensive, cost $350 less.
These arent headphones looking for the same audience as the flagship models of large brands.
Instead, these are for people that might have gone for the also-expensiveNoble Fokus Apollo, or theFocal Bathys.
Even the silicon that covers the headband padding feels expensive, missing that sticky feeling that cheaper options have.
Vegans wont be happy, however the earpads are wrapped in leather, and theres no other material option.
They are super soft and plush, however, which make them extremely comfortable over the ear.
Thats a nice bit of forward-thinking and makes the headset feel like it could last longer than others.
Now, this is where my only minor critique of the headphones comes in.
Finding the right hat, shall we say, is tricky.
Now, youll want to verify that your $900 headphones are well protected.
Its not as hard as those options, and the headphones just kind of hang out loosely inside.
The IO-8 are in good company, then, with its selection of physical controls.
On the right earcup youll find all your buttons.
The outer holds a large metallic roundel, with a large play/pause button and volume up and down keys.
Press that play/pause button multiple times and youll skip forwards and back.
Dali IO-8 review: Features
Dali calls the lack of a dedicated app a positive.
I would tend to agree, but there will be some out there who lament a lack of customization.
There is customizable EQ, for example but you only get one.
Want to turn the ANC on and off, or activate the transparency mode?
Hit the ANC button.
Its all very simple and what you see is what you get.
Now, this is a double-edged sword.
Personally, this is not a great problem for me.
Having extra ANC modes is always fun.
The lack of an app will split the crowd.
So the lack of an app will split the crowd.
It certainly avoids feature creep, and makes the headphones a whole lot more simple to use.
Dali IO-8 review: ANC
Dali calls the ANC on board IO-8 Audiophile noise canceling.
Yes, the excellent sound is preserved and noise is blocked.
Is it as good as the noise canceling on theBoseQuietComfort Ultra headphones?
The transparency mode is solid as well, if not a little over-enthusiastic.
Itreallypipes everything in from the outside, the microphones not choosy about what you hear.
Its ultimately fine though and switches between the two devices when you play audio or start a phone call.
It does emit a loud beep when it does though, which to some might get grating.
There is just one complaint that I had with the IO-8, and that came down to the side-tone.
When subtle, its fine, but this implementation is anything but subtle.
Does it completely ruin the call experience?
Dali IO-8 review: Sound quality
Stereo imagining and soundstage are the name of the game here.
The IO-8, as you would hope, sound excellent.
Theyre clear, crisp, and filled with some lovely rich bass.
But thats where it’s crucial that you work out whether theyre going to work for you.
However, if you prefer a warmer sound signature with more bass, youre in for a stunning experience.
Spin up T-Pains live cover ofWarpigsand youre in the room with the man himself.
you’ve got the option to place every member of the outfit, T-Pain himself front and center.
The whole thing is crisp, clear, yet impactful.
The drums have great definition and punch, and the guitar solo soars in just the right way.
Try not to groove along I dare you.
Crank the volume for Chase & StatusDisconnectand find yourself right next to the speakers at the boiler rooms.
This really is all about the bass, and the IO-8 are more than happy to oblige.
They soundhuge,the bass tight and controlled but perfectly pervasive.
There you get even more low end, and depending on the track, it can be really fun.
For most music though it gets a little boomy.
Charging up is easy just pop in your USB-C cable and away you go.
Without question they’re some of thebest wireless headphonesyou can buy.
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