Dali IO 4 Review | 93 Data compared

The Dali IO-4 is an elegant pair of wireless over-ear headphones that delivers an expansive, clear, and highly detailed soundstage, particularly excelling at reproducing textured vocals and subtle background details. Built with premium materials reminiscent of their pricier sibling, the IO-6, these headphones feature custom 50mm paper fibre cone drivers designed to eliminate vibrations, offering a comfortable fit with soft, 90-degree rotating earpads. While they lack a dedicated companion app and active noise cancellation (ANC), their design provides impressive natural isolation, making ANC largely unmissable on the go. Furthermore, they boast a phenomenal 60-hour battery life that charges via USB-C in just 2.5 hours, alongside support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX HD and Apple AAC. Despite their beautiful craftsmanship and refined audio profile, the headphones have a notable drawback in their rhythmic drive, as they err on the side of caution and soften dynamic impact. This causes grimy bass riffs, intentional recording pops, and energetic guitar licks to feel somewhat distant and less exuberant, meaning genres like rap or edgier tracks lack the toe-tapping excitement found in rivals like...

The DALI iO-4 headphones represent an impressive entry into the personal audio market by the Danish speaker manufacturer, highlighting exceptional 60-hour battery life, durable construction, and comfortable,, IP53-rated design. Performance is characterized by a transparent, flat-response sound signature, user-friendly tap controls, and flexible connectivity options including Bluetooth aptX HD, 3.5mm, and USB-C. While praised for sound quality, the review notes the lack of active noise-cancelling (ANC) and a neutral bass presentation that may not satisfy fans of heavy bass.

The Dali IO-4 wireless headphones ($400) deliver a uniquely light, thin, and precise sound signature. They feature a rare 50mm free-edge paper fiber cone driver, which yields exceptional transparency, crystal-like midrange separation, and a highly accurate, multidimensional soundstage. The headphones offer outstanding technical features, highlighted by an extraordinary 60-hour battery life, USB-C fast charging (2.5 hours to full), and support for high-resolution codecs like AAC, aptX, and aptX HD. Additionally, they provide clear call quality, a firm but comfortable fit with soft leather earpads, and a sturdy build that swivels flat, though it lacks a protective hard case. The primary pros of the Dali IO-4 are its incredible precision, tidy instrumental layering, and natural vocal delivery, making it a divine option for fans of acoustic and folk music. However, the major cons center around its lack of bass presence and warmth, leaving the lower frequencies feeling stingy and unsuited for pop or rock genres. It also lacks the active noise cancellation found on its sibling model, the IO-6. Ultimately, while the IO-4 is highly praised by reviewer Gabby Bloch on...

The DALI IO-4 is a high-end, classy pair of non-noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones priced at $399 USD. Architecturally identical to the IO-6 but lacking its noise-canceling feature, this model utilizes 50mm dynamic drivers and supports AAC and aptX HD codecs for enhanced streaming quality. The lack of noise cancellation rewards users with an outstanding 60-hour battery life—double that of its sibling. Built with thick memory-foam earpads and a flat-folding design, the headphones feature physical pushbutton controls on the right earpiece that prove much more reliable for tracking and volume than typical touch-swipe controls. The core strength of the IO-4 lies in its exceptionally neutral, uncolored sound response that neatly separates complex instruments and vocal layers without highlighting or diminishing specific frequencies. While the audio delivery is praised for its spaciousness, natural treble detail, and clear bass note tracking, the reviewer noted a mild desire for an extra decibel or two of top-end treble on certain tracks to add more "air". On the downside, the physical fit can feel rigid due to firm earpads and medium head-clamping force, making them hard to...

The DALI IO-4 wireless headphones offer exceptional tonal accuracy and detail, presenting music exactly as producers intended without bloating the sound profile. The review praises their tight, fast, and musical bass response, alongside smooth midranges and well-resolved, subtle treble extension when utilizing high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX HD. For users seeking even greater performance, bypassing the wireless system to listen in passive "Off" mode through an external amplifier significantly improves deep bass extension, dynamic punch, and mid-range warmth. The headphones score exceptionally high marks for their outstanding physical engineering, comfort, and user ergonomics. Built with light materials and highly soft synthetic leather-over-memory foam earcups, they remain comfortable for all-day listening sessions. The physical on-ear controls are tactile and easy to use, providing a satisfying click feedback. Additionally, the battery life is described as epic; the manufacturer specs out a 60-hour capacity, which the reviewer notes is likely understated after observing a mere 40% battery drop after 35 hours of continuous use.