The DALI iO-8 headphones were provided, on loan, for the purpose of this review and the embedded video. No money was exchanged and our links are not monetized.
Overview
The DALI IO-8 is a high-end wireless headphone designed by Danish audiophile legends, DALI. Known for their premium speakers, DALI brings the same sound-first philosophy to these over-ear headphones. Featuring studio-quality audio, an ultra-comfortable build, and an insane 60-hour battery life, the IO-8 aims to deliver the best possible listening experience without relying on excessive digital processing. I do not consider myself an audiophile. Rather, I come from the perspective of wanting good noise cancelling, easy operation, and great battery life. The sound quality itself must be appealing which, for me, means balanced and clear.
In my several weeks of testing what surprised me the most is the battery life. I used the IO-8 headphones for everything from long walks to working in the kitchen, and never once did the battery concern me. With a rated 60 hours of battery life, I think it may actually be accurate! That’s easily double what I get from my Sony XM5 headphones. During those long walks, however, my large ears weren’t as comfortable as I’d like. The cups on these headphones will definitely fit most people, but for me, I prefer the larger cups of the Sony XM5s.
When it comes to sound quality, the IO-8 delivers well-balanced audio without excessive bass boosting or artificial enhancements. In quiet settings, it was lovely. But once the noises of life picked up, such as dishes being put away or when I’m working with rocks in my backyard, the lack of enhancements means there weren’t any adjustments being made by the headphones. So my only recourse was to increase the volume. Fortunately, that’s easy with gloves on since the headphones features physical buttons instead of touch controls. There’s also no companion app, so you can’t tweak an EQ beyond toggling between two built-in presets (hi-fi and bass). While some may find this limiting, I actually prefer it. I don’t want to constantly adjust my headphones—I just want a set-it-and-forget-it experience for podcasts, music, and calls.
This no-nonsense design philosophy extends to the physical controls. There are no touch controls, which I love. When I’m working in the yard or out for a winter walk, I don’t want to take off my gloves just to adjust the volume. The DALI IO-8 fits my lifestyle better than the XM5s in this way. Bonus points for the single-press power button—no need for a long press. I just want to turn my headphones on and off quickly, like an adult.
Regarding noise cancelling, it’s above average. But, again, without any type of sensor to judge the outside noise levels, such as what Apple offers with their Adaptive Audio feature.
Technical Specifications
- Drivers: Custom 50mm paper fiber cone drivers
- Battery Life: 35 hours per charge
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours (via USB-C)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD, AAC, USB-C charging, 3.5mm wired mode
- Weight: 330g (11.6 oz)
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Limited noise isolation, no advanced ANC features
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20kHz
- Impedance: 25 ohms
- Microphone: Built-in for calls and voice assistants
- Build & Comfort: Memory foam ear pads, synthetic leather covering, lightweight frame
- Controls: Physical buttons, no touch controls, no companion app
Who is This For?
The DALI IO-8 are positioned as premium headphones in both sound and build quality. I can absolutely vouch for the build quality. It’s outstanding. On the sound front, while I do believe the audio is clear, I am not certain everyone will agree as there may be some subjectivity to what sounds “good”. Based on preference, experience, and the nature of what a person listens to.
If you work with gloves on, hate finicky touch controls, or just want a simple, button-based interface, the IO-8 will fit into your lifestyle better than touch-heavy competitors like the Sony XM5s. However, if top-tier ANC and customizable EQ settings are a must, you might want to look elsewhere.