And the chocolate finish with gold accents and sumptuous padding are nothing short of stunning.
That said, those who love in-app sonic tailoring are not best served here there is no app whatsoever.
Well, that’s up to you.
Favorite time of year, with headphones to match
They look expensive (because they are) but more than that, theysoundexpensive.
There’s none of that here.
I’m not at all surprised.
The Dali iO-12 have a fairly large case, but it feels premium and the earcups lie flat.
If ever there was a set of over-ears for the fall temperature drop, it’s the Dali iO-12.
And high end is certainly what they are.
Consider for example theShure Aonic 50 Gen 2, ($349 / 349 / approx.
All physical buttons, all on the right earcup – and although all work well, we’d love an app…
AU$575), theEdifier Stax Spirit S3($399 / 330 / approx.
Now, consider that every single one of the options above except the Dali iO-12 has a companion app.
That performance had better be good, no?
You’ve got to say the Dali iO-12 are a good-looking pair of headphones…
Also, I can confirm that Dali’s battery life claim holds true.
What these physical buttons are not is customizable in any way.
What am I talking about?
No denying it’s a big case…
Well, other headphones give us options to change what a single or double press might do.
None of that here.
Only, I cannot do that because there isn’t one.
Don’t worry, we didn’t leave the Dali iO-12 here. As if we could bear to part with them…
In the end, it’s up to you.
It’s something extra and it adds value, although I prefer Dali’s integrated, refined hi-fi listen.
The noise cancellation here is very good.
Can’t get enough of the chocolatey hue? You’re not alone
Switching to anAppleMusic file on my iPhone, the key progressions in Joni Mitchell’sBlueare three-dimensional and moving.
Honestly, it’s emotional particularly through the sparkling treble.
I can (and have) listened to it for hours.
If you’re a singer, you’ll want people to listen to your voice on these cans.
And I think it’s a huge success.
Looking for a set of foldable headphones the kind that concertina up for easier portability?
No dice here sadly.
I think it’s their sheer size.
Ultimately, these are cans that aren’t backwards about coming forwards.
Unmistakably fall weather calls for warm, chocolate brown Dali over-ears.
The supplied fabric-covered cables feel premium, robust and impossible to tangle.
Dali iO-12 review: Value
There’s no getting away from it: these headphones are expensive.
There just aren’t any.
Dali actually lists “No app required” as afeaturein the iO-12, but we’re not so sure.
If you want an extra ounce of oomph though, you’d be better off looking to Bose.
Should I buy the Dali iO-12?
Buy them if…
You want a simple life enhanced by musicDo you struggle with apps?
Do you like physical buttons that announce what they’re doing?
Do you find too much choice a burden?
These might be the premium headphones for you.
You want USB-C hi-res audioAudiophiles take note: you get it.
There is no companion app here, so EQ tweaks beyond that new bass-boost button are just off-menu.
Portability is paramountThere is a travel case supplied here.
Taking your small work bag?
Get the full story in ourFocal Bathys review.
Read more in ourBowers & Wilkins PX8 review.
The Dali iO-12 became my daily musical companion after a thorough run-in period.
Ive been testing audio products for over five years now.
