Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Incredible sound quality, with neutrality, detail, and balance across the frequency range
- Excellent build quality with premium materials and comfortable, luxurious design, making them suitable for extended listening sessions
- Adequate battery life, with reviewers reporting around 35 hours of wireless playback with ANC
- Effective active noise cancellation reduces low-frequency sounds without significantly impacting sound quality
- Versatile connectivity options including Bluetooth, USB-C for high-resolution audio, and a 3.5mm analog input that can be used passively
Product Considerations
- High price point puts them out of reach for many consumers
- Lack of a companion app limits customization options like EQ settings, firmware updates via mobile, and custom control settings
- Large earcups and overall weight may not be suitable for those with smaller heads, and the headband may slip
- Included travel case is large
- Some reviewers found the dark chocolate color scheme unappealing
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The DALI IO-12 has better ANC than the Focal Bathys
- The IO-12 is similar in sound signature to the Mark Levinson No. 5909
Takeaway: The DALI IO-12 is a high-end wireless headphone that delivers exceptional sound quality, comfort, and versatility, making it a great choice for audiophiles who want a premium listening experience on the go. Its blend of wired and wireless capabilities, combined with a mature design, makes it an excellent all-around performer.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
IO-12
reviews
[{"title":"Dali IO-12 Wireless Headphones","link":"https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/11/4/dali-io-12-wireless-headphones","source":"Audiophilia","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 review: incredible wired and wireless sound, no app required","link":"https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/dali-io-12-review","source":"Digital Trends","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 headphones review","link":"https://audiograde.uk/review/dali-io-12-headphones-review","source":"Audiograde","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali iO-12 review: deliciously detailed wireless headphones with just one thing missing","link":"https://www.techradar.com/audio/headphones/wireless-headphones/dali-io-12-review","source":"TechRadar","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"DALI IO-12 ANC Wireless Headphone Review","link":"https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/headphone-earphone/dali-io-12-anc-wireless-headphone-review","source":"Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 on the move and in the home","link":"https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/dali-io-12-on-the-move-and-in-the-home","source":"The Ear","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Dali iO-12 Review","link":"https://audio46.com/blogs/headphones/dali-io-12-review","source":"Audio46","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"DALI IO-12 Headphones","link":"https://www.hifipig.com/dali-io-12-headphones","source":"HiFi Pig","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 review","link":"https://www.shortlist.com/news/dali-io-12-review-404062","source":"ShortList","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 Review","link":"https://majorhifi.com/dali-io-12-review","source":"Major HiFi","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 review: new levels of opulence","link":"https://www.stuff.tv/review/dali-io-12-review","source":"Stuff","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 Review: Absolutely Pure Sound","link":"https://www.lbtechreviews.com/test/headphones/dali-io-12","source":"LB Tech Reviews","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"DALI IO-12 Review","link":"https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/dali-io-12","source":"Trusted Reviews","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Mark Levinson No. 5909 VS Dali IO-12 Comparison Review","link":"https://majorhifi.com/mark-levinson-no-5909-vs-dali-io-12-comparison-review","source":"Major HiFi","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"DALI iO-12 Headphones - Jack of All Trades?","link":"https://blog.audiot.co.uk/blog/2024/4/30/dali-io-12-headphones-jack-of-all-trades","source":"Audio T ","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"DALI IO-12 Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones Review","link":"https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/dali-io-12-noise-cancelling-over-ear-headphones-review","source":"StereoNET","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"DALI IO-12 are incredible headphones that serve a hyper-niche audience","link":"https://musictech.com/reviews/consumer/dali-io-12-audiophile-headphones-review","source":"MusicTech","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Dali IO-12","link":"https://www.sound-advice.online/product-reviews/dali-io-12","source":"Sound Advice","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Dali IO-12 Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQSdfGlPutE","source":"MajorHiFi","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"DALI iO-12 Headphones | Unboxing & Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIGDQ9kDj6s","source":"RonOnTech","datePublished":"2025"},{"title":"Dali I0-12 Wireless Headphones Review | Tom Martin Reports...","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-LXa-1Iw8Q","source":"THE ABSOLUTE SOUND","datePublished":"2024"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 10 - 48,000
- Headphone Principle: Closed back circumaural (over ear)
- Impedance (Passive mode) [ohms]: 25
- Full Range Driver: 50 mm with SMC based magnet system
- Connection Input: Bluetooth® 5.2, 3.5 mm mini jack, USB-C
- Wireless Input Audio Codecs: AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
- Battery Playback Time: Up to 35 hours
- Input Audio Formats: 16 - 24 bit audio, 32/44.1/48/96 kHz sample rate
- Weight [gr]: 370
Description
The state-of-the-art DALI IO-12 Hi-Fi headphones offer you hours of listening pleasure in sumptuous comfort. From the real leather headband and ear pads to the 50 mm paper fibre cone and groundbreaking SMC drivers, the IO-12s reveal every musical detail.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand utilizes a unique "2.5-way plus half" hybrid driver configuration, blending active and passive crossover elements to optimize performance across the frequency spectrum.
- DALI emphasizes creating speakers that are versatile in placement, suitable for stand, shelf, or even wall mounting, ensuring they integrate easily into diverse listening environments.
- They develop and manufacture their own wood fiber cones and other drivers in-house, allowing for precise control over material composition and sonic characteristics.
- DALI often incorporates their patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) technology in driver construction, aiming to minimize distortion and improve audio clarity.
Select products
Select product comparisons
DALI Oberon 9
- Positioning: The largest model in the DALI Oberon series, designed for high-end Hi-Fi experiences.
- Description: Offers a refined sound with a wide dispersion pattern that reduces distortion, making it ideal for large rooms. Its wood fibre cones and patented SMC technology provide a relaxed midrange and detailed sound, distinguishing it from the Opticon 8 MK2, which focuses more on dynamic accuracy.
DALI Opticon 8 MK2
- Positioning: The flagship model of the Opticon MK2 series, suited for large listening spaces.
- Description: Known for its dynamic accuracy and rich bass, features a hybrid tweeter and SMC technology for reduced distortion. Compared to the Oberon 9, it offers a more detailed high-frequency response.
DALI Rubikore 8
- Positioning: A high-end model in the Rubikore series, designed for ambitious home Hi-Fi and theatre systems.
- Description: With its Clarity Cone Technology and SMC-KORE inductors, delivers powerful sound with natural warmth. It stands out from the Epicon 8 by offering a wider bandwidth and is better suited for larger spaces due to its enhanced bass integration.
DALI Epicon 8
- Positioning: The pinnacle of the Epicon series, offering a rich and detailed sound.
- Description: Features patented SMC technology and a hybrid tweeter, providing a smooth and wide dispersion of sound. It differs from the Rubikore 8 by focusing more on reducing distortion and providing a more intimate soundstage.
DALI Kore
- Positioning: The flagship model of DALI, representing the culmination of 40 years of loudspeaker design.
- Description: Features Balanced Drive SMC technology and an EVO-K Hybrid Tweeter for exceptional fidelity and clarity. It is the most advanced in the lineup, offering the highest level of performance and is best for those seeking the ultimate in sound quality and are willing to invest in the best.
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Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
75
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
21
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
83
Founding Year
1983
Our take on the brand
DALI is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
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T+A
Solitaire T
1700
/
Released
2022
From the first day the Solitaire T was developed with a single goal in mind: to blur the distinctions between audiophile, working and travel headphones by making the values and convictions which are the hallmark of every T+A product accessible in almost every situation in life. Their transducer system is a completely new development, capable of reproducing the most subtle nuances in audiophile quality in active and passive mode alike, while the passive insulation on its own is sufficient to push the outside world into the background.
T+A is a hifi brand that combines transistor and valve technologies in their HV-Series amplifiers, using high voltage for linear performance, while their A 200 Power Amplifier uses PURIFI Eigentakt technology for low distortion regardless of speaker load.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive sound quality bridges the gap between wired and wireless performance
- It is a versatile product that can be used as a passive headphone, a USB DAC, or a Bluetooth headphone
- High build quality, with premium materials like milled aluminum contributing to a robust and luxurious feel
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods
- Long battery life, especially in standard mode—up to 70 hours
Product Considerations
- The fit may not be ideal for those with wider heads
- The treble response could be sweeter
- The active noise cancellation may not be class-leading compared to some competitors
- The volume in wireless mode may not be loud enough for some listeners
- Soundstage presentation feels intimate compared to full-sized reference headphones
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Mark Levinson No.5909: The Solitaire T has more detail and better organization, though the No. 5909 has a bigger, more spacious presentation
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins PX8: The noise cancelling of the PX8 is better
- Vs Focal Celestee: The Solitaire T is comparable when used as a passive wired headphone
Takeaway: The T+A Solitaire T is a versatile and well-built headphone that offers high-quality sound in both wired and wireless modes, making it a great choice for audiophiles on the go or those who want one set of headphones for all situations. Listeners can enjoy music in a lot of different ways with these, and they sound very good.
Video review
Our take on the brand
T+A is a hifi brand that combines transistor and valve technologies in their HV-Series amplifiers, using high voltage for linear performance, while their A 200 Power Amplifier uses PURIFI Eigentakt technology for low distortion regardless of speaker load.
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Bang & Olufsen
Beoplay H100
2200
/
Released
2024
Beoplay H100 deliver immersive sound and a luxurious design built to stand the test of time. These advanced headphones, which are optimised for Dolby Atmos, feature titanium drivers and next-level noise cancellation. Perfect for music, work, and travel.
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Amazing sound quality with wide soundstage and airy, ethereal sounds, especially in the treble, create a magical experience
- Very comfortable, despite being heavier than some alternatives, with earcups that wrap around the ear and a redesigned headband
Product Considerations
- Warranty experience may vary significantly depending on location and travel habits, so the global warranty should not be taken at face value
- Color options are limited, and some lighter colors may stain easily
- Lack of high-resolution Bluetooth codec support at the time of some reviews, although promised for a future update
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bang & Olufsen H95: H100 has a massive soundstage and is more comfortable
- Vs Focal Bathys: H100 offers a smooth, neutral, and refined sound signature, while Focal Bathys delivers a more dynamic and energetic sound
Takeaway: The Beoplay H100 provides excellent sound and comfort, delivering a luxurious experience with high-quality materials and build quality. It is a top-tier product for people who want great design and sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
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