OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Dali IO 6 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:60 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Dali IO 6 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Dali IO 6
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components

80%

7.4

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–²Better than 82% of headphones
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–²Better than 75%
7.4

Technical score

Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components

52%

8.5

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

6.3

Design

8%

5.7

Connectivity

6%

7.7

Battery

4%

7.8

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 82%
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 71%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Dali IO 6

Technical score
Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components:

52%

8.5

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

6.3

Design

8%

5.7

Connectivity

6%

7.7

Battery

4%

7.8

Calls & Controls

7.4
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 54% of models
Popularity:
Dali IO 6 has a popularity score of 6.2 points, which is higher than that of 53.5% of products in this category.
6.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
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Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
5
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 5, newer Bluetooth version than 70.9% of headphones and equal to 13.1% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Audio latency
150 ms
Market range: <40 ms – >222 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 150 ms, lower audio latency than 45.4% of headphones and equal to 4.9% of headphones.
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
60 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 60 hours, higher battery life than 79.1% of headphones and equal to 6.1% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
30 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 30 hours, higher battery life with ANC than 43.1% of headphones and equal to 9.1% of headphones.
Charging time
2.5 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2.5 hours to charge, higher charging time than 53% of headphones and equal to 13% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
1,100 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 1,100 mAh, higher battery capacity than 92.9% of headphones and equal to 1.2% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Dali
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
325 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 325 g, heavier than 86.8% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.4
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.4, higher clamp force than 50.9% of headphones and equal to 4.2% of headphones.
Show more

Dali IO 6 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 30 hours longer battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life than the average pair of headphones (60 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    60 hours vs 30 hours
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • AptX HD support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX HD, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.6% of headphones support aptX HD.
  • 18 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (62 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    62 mm vs 44 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Water resistance
    This pair of headphones is water resistant, the average pair of headphones is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
  • Better IP rating
    This pair of headphones has a better IP rating than the average pair of headphones (IP53 vs none). The average headphones have an IP rating of none.
    IP53 vs none
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 30 hours longer battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life than the average pair of headphones (60 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    60 hours vs 30 hours
  • 89.7% higher battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (1,100 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    1,100 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • USB-C charging
    This pair of headphones uses USB-C charging, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.5% of headphones use USB Type-C.
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Removable battery
    This pair of headphones has a removable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.8% of headphones have a removable battery.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX HD support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX HD, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.6% of headphones support aptX HD.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 49.1% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (325 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    325 g vs 218 g
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Dali IO 6 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 5.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Dali IO 6
    the average pair of headphones
    Dali IO 6 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.59 vs 8).
    7.59 vs 8
  • 10 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (100 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    100 dB vs 110 dB
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Dali IO 6 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 5.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Dali IO 6
    the average pair of headphones
    Dali IO 6 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.59 vs 8).
    7.59 vs 8
  • 49.1% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (325 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    325 g vs 218 g
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (100 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    100 dB vs 110 dB
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
RonOnTech
≈ estimated
13/05/2024
Unboxing and review · sound, comfort and control tests
Verdict
Dali IO-6 sounds excellent out of the box and is a steal at this price, with only multipoint and an app missing.
9.0
New Record Day
≈ estimated
07/05/2020
Hands-on review · sound tests, packaging and recommendation
Verdict
Dali IO-6 offers neutral, detailed sound and earns a recommendation, though the treble can sound a little bright.
8.0
Currawong
≈ estimated
31/03/2020
Hands-on review · flight test, sound and wired use
Verdict
Dali IO-6 has pleasantly even sound, but its noise cancelling trails top rivals and the price is steep.
9.0
Gavin Fabiani-Laymond
≈ estimated
28/09/2019
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and noise cancelling tests
Verdict
Dali IO-6 delivers neutral, transparent sound for long listening sessions, though it is not suited to dance or electronic music.
Not graded
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Dali IO 6

  • Exceptional audiophile sound quality with high detail and natural tonal balance
  • Outstanding 30-hour battery life and fast USB-C charging
  • Highly comfortable design with plush memory foam ear pads and lightweight build
  • Excellent passive noise isolation even without ANC engaged
  • Premium build quality featuring high-quality synthetic leather and a sturdy metal frame
  • User-friendly physical buttons that are more intuitive than touch gestures for many users
  • Transparency mode effectively lets in ambient sound without distorting volume

What customers don't like about Dali IO 6

  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is weaker compared to industry leaders like Sony or Bose
  • Higher price point than many comparable wireless competitors
  • Lack of a dedicated control app for EQ customization or firmware updates
  • Controls for skipping tracks can be fussy or non-intuitive
  • A very low, nearly inaudible hum or noise floor may be present in quiet environments
  • Bass may feel 'light' or too neutral for users accustomed to bass-heavy consumer headphones
  • Lack of modern features like auto-pause sensors when removing the headphones

Verdict

The DALI IO-6 is a premium closed-back wireless headphone featuring custom 50mm paper fiber cone drivers and a frequency response of 10Hz – 20kHz. It supports high-quality codecs including aptX HD, aptX, and AAC over Bluetooth 5.0, and offers up to 30 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) engaged. Its main pros include an exceptionally natural, balanced soundstage that maintains its tonal integrity even with ANC active, a high-quality build using memory foam and synthetic leather, and versatile connectivity via USB-C (which supports digital audio) or a 3.5mm jack. However, cons include an ANC system that is less effective against high-frequency noise compared to rivals from Sony or Bose, the lack of a dedicated control app for EQ customization, and a high price point.

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