DALI Headphones IO-6, Iron Black

Product Information

You’d be pretty negligent if you find yourself in that position, mind you, as the IO-6’s oversized lithium-ion battery is good for 30 hours of playback time, even with active noise-cancellation engaged. Just plug in the included Mini Jack cable, and let your audio device run the DALI IO-6 in "Off" mode. I guess with my conditioning of a musical background, I'm more naturally drawn to natural sounds as that is what I appreciate the most and it reflects on the type of music I listen to mainly. In terms of sound stage, it has just the right amount for now and I wouldn't want any more or less as this could just make things sound pretty unrealistic, but then again some experimentation wouldn't hurt. The electronics are based on Bluetooth 5 wireless with a decent range and support for audio codecs SBC, aptX, AAC and also the HiRes-capable aptX HD.

You can easily toggle between the three ANC modes with a dedicated button placed conventionally on the rim of the right ear cup - making it easy to acces even with gloves. Nothing creaks, everything that should move does so smoothly, and the IO-6 feel solid despite their comfort-assisting 325g weight. Added to the amount of adjustment available in the headband, it should be simple enough for everyone but the tiniest-headed to get comfortable inside a pair of IO-6s. The PX7 does, but there's nothing the app does that you can't already do on the headphones themselves, except "software updates and some backgroud effects such as waterfall, rain etc". Sitting behind the closed-back earcups and soft, slow-to-heat earpads there’s a 50mm free-edge paper fibre drive unit.

The DALI IO headphones enable fantastic listening enjoyment even over longer periods of time and feature exquisite materials and state-of-the-art technologies. The DALI IO-6 headphones with Active Noise Cancellation are designed for maximum comfort with a durable design and a natural, transparent sound performance. There’s a USB-C port, a power switch that doubles as a Bluetooth pairing control, and a button to activate noise cancellation.

The outside of the headband is soft synthetic leather, and a nicely padded version of the same thing forms the inside of the headband where it actually contacts your head. This may be new tech, but all of the functions feel underpinned by old-school principles and methods. Some users may prefer a bit more oomph, but the IO6 strikes a nice balance to my ears, such that there’s enough bass in hip-hop tunes. However, there’s definitely more bass kick from the Sennheisers, and that extra fuel injection through the low-level dynamics makes them a more lively, exciting listen overall.Delivering a Tidal Masters file of Gorillaz’ Dare via aptX HD Bluetooth, and consequently in all its hi-res glory, the Dalis are a detailed, three-dimensional and tonally impeccable listen. Should you wish to contact the manufacturer direct for any reason, we have also provided this information within the associated brand sections. There is, though, a ‘transparency’ setting which pauses music and slightly amplifies the sound of the outside world.

As far as the electronics are concerned, the device we tested works more gently and less intensively in comparison to the Sony WH-1000XM3. PayPal Credit is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH. CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6, CA7, CA8, CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, CA17, CA18, CA19, CA20, CA21, CA22, CA23, CA24, CA25, CA26, CA27, CA28.I prefer to compare the 3 like this, the Bowers are like sitting stage center, front row at a rock concert. That’s how I felt when Dali, the venerable Danish speaker manufacturer, offered to let me try its new IO-6 headphones. I'm very impressed, it is what I expected it to be as a good natural sounding headphone that does not tire you out after listening for hours and hours on end in terms of sound quality. DALI's IO headphones are designed and engineered by the same team of engineers and according to the same basic principles as all other DALI loudspeakers. The pads are covered in soft synthetic leather, chosen for both comfort and durability, and tested to meet real life challenges.