DALI has built its reputation on loudspeakers, not headphones — which makes the $1,750 IO-12 a fascinating move from the Danish brand. Drawing directly from decades of acoustic engineering, DALI claims the IO-12 benefits from the same driver expertise and tuning philosophy found in its high-end speakers.
At this price, expectations are sky-high — and so is the competition. The IO-12 goes head-to-head with some of the best in the business, including the Focal Bathys MG ($1,499), Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 ($2,200), and T+A Solitaire T ($1,700), all fighting for dominance in the ultra-premium wireless headphone space.
So, the question is simple: can DALI’s speaker DNA create the best wireless headphones money can buy?
Technology & Specifications: Inside the DALI IO-12’s Premium Wireless Design
At the heart of the DALI IO-12 are a pair of custom 50mm paper fibre cone dynamic drivers, a clear nod to DALI’s loudspeaker roots. Powering them are the brand’s proprietary SMC (Soft Magnetic Composite) magnets, engineered to reduce distortion and maintain clarity even at higher volumes. This isn’t just marketing fluff — SMC tech debuted in DALI’s EPICON speakers, which start north of $8,000 a pair, so there’s real R&D muscle behind the claim.
Being wireless, the DALI IO-12 includes an integrated DAC and amplifier, capable of 24-bit/96kHz playback when connected via USB-C — a welcome touch for anyone who still values high-resolution wired performance.
Wireless support, however, is a mixed bag. You get aptX Adaptive, which is stable and efficient, but no LDAC or aptX Lossless, which feels like a misstep at this price point. For a $1,750 flagship, those omissions stand out — especially when competitors like Focal and T+A cover those bases. The IO-12’s engineering pedigree is undeniable, but its codec support could use a little less restraint and a little more ambition.
Design & Comfort
We received the Mocha Grey version of the DALI IO-12 for this review, and it’s every bit as classy as it sounds — understated, elegant, and quietly luxurious. The alternate Dark Chocolate finish offers a similar vibe, proving that DALI understands how to keep things sophisticated without resorting to flashy accents or gimmicks.
That subtlety ends once you put them on your head. The IO-12s are large. Not “barely noticeable on a train” large, but “you might catch your reflection and think, damn, these are serious cans” large. The oversized design probably stems from the big 50mm drivers inside, but they definitely stick out more than most wireless ANC headphones.
Comfort, though, is where DALI redeems itself. Despite their size, the IO-12 weighs just 370 grams, and the plush, spacious leather earcups are among the most comfortable you’ll find. You can wear them for hours without feeling the usual clamp fatigue; they’re built for long sessions, not quick commutes.
The rubberized headband is a curious choice for a $1,750 headphone. It likely holds up better to discoloration and wear than leather, but it feels a little out of place among the more premium materials. Still, the high-grade plastics and genuine leather deliver a solid, luxurious impression — and yes, that leather smell is still intoxicating after hundreds of hours of use.
Accessory-wise, DALI keeps things neat and practical. You get two 3.5mm cables of different lengths and a USB-C to USB-A cable, all tucked into a semi-rigid case that’s large but surprisingly slim. It’s not ultra-portable, but it slides easily into most bags — a small mercy for headphones this serious.
Usability: Controls, Connectivity, and Everyday Performance
When it comes to wireless ANC headphones, usability matters as much as sound quality.
The active noise cancelling on the DALI IO-12 is very good, though not quite at the level of the Apple AirPods Max, which still hold the crown. What really stands out is the passive noise isolation — among the best I’ve experienced.
Transparency mode is solid too. I’ll never get used to the sound of my own voice through it, but friends and family sounded close to reality, which is what counts.
Battery life is impressive. DALI claims 35 hours with ANC and Bluetooth active, but in testing I managed close to 40 hours. Many competitors barely reach 30 hours from full charge, making this a genuinely strong point for the IO-12.
Most high-end ANC headphones rely on companion apps for tweaking sound profiles and settings, but the IO-12 skips this entirely. I like this approach. A headphone should just work and sound great out of the box without forcing you to fiddle with an app. Simple, effective, and stress-free.
The downside to the IO-12’s simplicity is that built-in EQ options are very limited. You can press a button on the right cup to switch between Hi-Fi and Bass sound profiles. I tried the Bass mode for all of five minutes before deciding it was way too heavy on the low end. The rest of the review was spent firmly in Hi-Fi mode.
No touch controls here, and honestly, that’s a relief. It’s almost strange to find ourselves praising physical buttons in 2025, but they just work. Press the centre of the right earcup once to play or pause, double-tap left or right to skip tracks, and press up or down to adjust volume. Simple, intuitive, and headache-free.
There are also small buttons on the sides of the earcups to switch ANC mode, power the device on or off, and toggle between the two sound profiles. None of these buttons are customisable, but realistically, how often do people actually change default button actions even when the option exists? In practice, everything just works as you’d expect.
Listening
I’ll say this up front: the DALI IO-12 are the most technically proficient wireless ANC headphones I’ve ever heard. In terms of sheer engineering and precision, there’s really no contest.
That said, technical skill doesn’t automatically equal enjoyable sound. Let’s dig into their sonic performance in more detail, starting with the bass.
Bass
Whether or not you have bass mode engaged, there’s a noticeable lift in the lower frequencies. It’s subtle enough that the IO-12 still leans toward a neutral sound signature for wireless headphones, with lows, mids, and highs all remaining in balance. Nothing grabs the spotlight at the expense of everything else — no rogue frequencies stealing the show.
That said, the midbass is slightly more pronounced than the subbass. This occasionally keeps the full texture of the bassline from shining through. On Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s “Why So Serious?” the 20Hz subbass rumble at 3:26 is a little tricky to discern. If you’re chasing a tighter, more controlled low end, the Focal Bathys MG offers a more uniform bass response.
On the upside, the midbass bump adds energy and punch. Tracks hit with satisfying thump and kick, making listening feel lively rather than clinical. R&B and Hip Hop, in particular, shine on the IO-12, turning even familiar tracks into a more exciting, visceral experience.
Midrange
The DALI IO-12 exhibits what I’d describe as a slight V-shaped sound signature. The midrange takes a subtle step back in the mix, but it’s never lost or overshadowed. Your ears naturally gravitate toward the deep rumbles and sparkling highs, yet the mids remain present enough to anchor the sound.
Male vocals benefit from excellent body and definition, and the same applies to most instruments, which never feel thin or lacking energy. For instance, Billy Sharp’s voice in “Rose Tint” carries just the right amount of punch to cut through his intricate guitar work.
Up in the upper mids, the IO-12 stays neutral, giving female vocals clarity and presence without ever turning harsh or fatiguing. Overall, the midrange is smooth, natural, and consistently inoffensive — the kind of tonal balance that makes long listening sessions effortless.
Treble
I was particularly impressed by the treble on the IO-12, which avoids the graininess so common in most wireless headphones. It’s clear, precise, and adds just the right amount of sparkle to the music without ever feeling harsh.
There’s no noticeable drop-off, even at the very top of the frequency range. L’Impératrice’s “La lune,” my go-to track for treble extension, showed off the IO-12’s capabilities perfectly, with the triangle hits rendered cleanly and effortlessly.
The treble quantity felt ideal to me, and I suspect most listeners would agree. That said, treble-sensitive listeners might still prefer the B&O Beoplay H100, particularly if they’re sensitive in the mid-treble region.
Imaging & Soundstage
DALI has equipped the IO-12 with impressively capable drivers, and it really shows in the imaging and soundstage.
The headphones achieve a rare balance for a closed-back design: a spacious soundstage without sacrificing pinpoint imaging accuracy. Instruments and vocals remain distinct and well-placed, never muddy or blurred. I suspect part of this precision comes from a subtle dip in the 2kHz region, a trait shared with some open-back HiFiMAN models. The result is a listening experience that feels wide, immersive, and precise all at once.
Wired Listening
It’s worth noting that the IO-12 can be used entirely passively, either via USB-C or 3.5mm connections. This gives it an edge over competitors like the Focal Bathys, which must be powered on even when plugged in. Connecting the IO-12 to a FiiO K17 DAC/amp, I was able to coax even more detail from the paper drivers, likely thanks to the higher bitrate of a wired connection.
There is a trade-off, however. With DSP disabled in passive mode, the sound signature changes slightly — and not entirely for the better. I noticed a small peak in the mid-treble that wasn’t present in wireless mode, and the bass became a touch leaner. It’s still listenable, but the wired experience doesn’t quite preserve the IO-12’s wireless tonal balance.
The Bottom Line
The DALI IO-12 prove that wireless ANC headphones can rival the sound quality of wired models. At $1,750, they’re certainly a premium purchase, but the payoff is substantial: precise, engaging sound, excellent imaging, and a wide, natural soundstage, all wrapped in a comfortable, luxurious design.
While the lack of advanced codec support and limited EQ options are drawbacks, their battery life, ease of use, and outstanding passive isolation make them a strong package. For anyone willing to invest, the IO-12 deliver a wireless listening experience that comes remarkably close to high-end wired headphones, without sacrificing convenience or versatility.
Pros:
- Balanced sound signature for a pair of wireless ANC headphones
- Best-in-class technicalities, both detail retrieval and staging performance
- Simple physical buttons, no touch controls
- Lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
Cons:
- Not compatible with LDAC or aptX Lossless
- Can’t escape the eye-watering price tag
Where to buy:
For more information: dali-speakers.com
Related Reading:
- DALI Announces IO-8 Wireless Headphones With Active Noise Cancellation
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Review: Category Leading Wireless Sonic Performance And ANC Without The Luxury Price?
- Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones Review: Are They Really Worth The Hype?
- Podcast: Best Wireless Headphones & Earbuds Of 2025
