Dali’s latest wireless headphones, the Dali IO-12, will cost $1,299 when they hit retail later this month. That’s a big jump from the company’s previous offering, the $500 Dali IO-6, and it might even be a new record price for a set of wireless headphones, but Dali says the new noise-canceling cans are unusual. The reason it is worth it is the technology that has been used to create the headphones’ 50mm drivers.
The Danish company claims the IO-12 is the world’s first to use a Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC) magnet system – the same technology that Dali patented and used in his acclaimed floor-standing speakers. The primary advantage to SMC is the reduction in hysteresis – distortion that can occur due to the resistance of the voice coil in conventional magnet systems. According to Dali, reducing hysteresis can “substantially” reduce uneven harmonic distortion.
The improvement is so remarkable that Dali’s head of product management, Kristian Pedersen, says the IO-12 has “essentially achieved electrostatic levels of midrange clarity.” Electrostatic headphones are known for exceptional clarity and transparency, but they can cost thousands of dollars and require their own high-voltage power supply, so you can’t use them when you’re away from a power outlet.
The driver itself also borrows some construction techniques from Dali’s speakers, including the use of a voice coil former – a rigid cylinder around which the coil is wrapped – which once again leads to low distortion.
As a wireless set of headphones, the IO-12 supports SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codecs for 24-bit/96kHz lossy hi-res audio. And with the included USB-C audio cable, you can get the same resolution losslessly from compatible devices like a PC. laptopAnd phones – including the new iPhone 15/15 Pro that use USB-C ports instead of Apple’s Lightning interface.
We’ve seen USB-C audio on other high-end headphones Such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and the Master & Dynamic MW75, but these cans usually need to be turned on to work with analog signals. In contrast, the IO-12 have a dedicated analog cable and the company says the sound signature isn’t affected when you use them in a non-powered state.
The headband and ear cushions are made of genuine leather and the internal battery is claimed to last up to 35 hours of usage per charge. headphones There’s active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, as well as sidetones for phone calls and access to the native voice assistant. What’s interesting is that there is no app support for the IO-12. All features, including two built-in EQ modes (Hi-Fi and Bass), are accessed through the headphones’ controls.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article stated that Dali did not list transparency and sidetone modes as options on the IO-12. This has been fixed.