Compare DALI IO-12 Headphones vs Marshall Major V

A passive 3.5mm option was treated as a useful fallback that keeps music available when power runs out.

The 3.5mm input was valued for wired listening and audio sharing, with several reviewers calling the sharing trick useful or cool.

ANC was generally considered useful and capable with low rumbles, but multiple reviewers stressed it is not the product’s standout or class-leading feature.

Reviewers repeatedly flagged the absence of ANC as the Major V's biggest feature gap, especially for commuting, flights, and loud environments.

Advanced software extras were limited, with reviewers pointing to a bare feature set and lack of app-driven controls.

Advanced software and feature impressions were mixed: battery preservation impressed, but feature depth lagged some competitors.

Looks were divisive: some reviewers liked the smart brown finish, while others found the size and profile awkward or attention-grabbing.

Reviewers praised the distinctive vintage style and compact visual identity, though one found the look inconspicuous or barebones.

Background noise reduction was effective for ambient rumble and daily distractions, though not described as total isolation.

One reviewer strongly praised that ANC did not alter the headphone’s sound signature.

Review evidence says ANC can be used without taking a noticeable hit to audio quality.

Android compatibility was weakened by missing higher-quality Android-friendly codecs such as aptX or LDAC.

The missing app split reviewers: some saw it as a drawback for settings and EQ, while others appreciated the simplicity.

App opinions were mixed: support and customization were major upgrades, but some reviewers found the app buggy, basic, or limited.

aptX support was criticized because reviewers specifically noted that aptX or aptX Adaptive was missing.

Reviewers who discussed sync reported no noticeable delay or expected LE Audio benefits for video use.

Auracast support was praised as rare and forward-looking, though some comments depended on future firmware or ecosystem adoption.

Bass was widely praised for control, punch, weight, and optional added thump without becoming broadly bloated.

Bass impressions skewed positive for punch and warmth, though a few reviewers found the low end light or uneven depending on tuning.

Battery life was viewed as acceptable to good, with 35 hours often described as sufficient but not exceptional at the price.

Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 100-hour class endurance and real-world longevity.

Bluetooth performance was praised for fast pairing, stable connection, and strong wireless sound, though one reviewer noted wireless loses detail versus wired.

Bluetooth was described positively where reviewers referenced modern or useful wireless capabilities rather than just listing the version.

Build quality was consistently praised as premium, sturdy, and well executed.

Build quality was generally praised as rugged, tough, and durable, though not always premium-looking.

The onboard DAC/amp and active electronics were presented as important to unlocking the headphone’s best performance.

Physical controls were mostly praised for responsiveness and usability, with some complaints about accidental presses.

Physical button controls were one of the strongest points, with reviewers repeatedly praising the joystick-style knob as intuitive and reliable.

Cable feedback was mixed: one reviewer criticized a cable as janky, while another liked the woven branded cables.

Cable impressions were mixed: one reviewer liked the retro detail, while another disliked the tangling coiled cable.

The carry case was praised as sturdy, protective, and luxurious, though other evidence notes it contributes to travel bulk.

Carry protection was a consistent weakness because reviewers repeatedly complained that no case, pouch, or tote was included.

Charging drew mixed feedback because there is no fast-charge mode, but one reviewer liked the long-term battery-protection behavior.

Charging was mostly praised for fast, USB-C, and wireless charging, though several reviewers found wireless placement fiddly or unreliable.

Clamping force was generally praised as secure without becoming overly pressuring or unstable.

Clamp force feedback was mixed, ranging from gentle or moderate to too tight or uncomfortable depending on head shape and use.

Codec support was framed as helpful for minimizing the compromises of wireless listening.

Codec support was mixed-to-weak: LC3/LE Audio helped, but reviewers criticized the lack of higher-quality codecs.

Comfort was one of the strongest points, with several reviewers calling the IO-12 among the most comfortable over-ear headphones they had worn.

Long-wear comfort was highly divided, with many praising light padding and hours-long comfort while others reported pressure, heat, or glasses discomfort.

Connectivity was a strength, with reviewers valuing the wired, wireless, USB-C, and passive listening flexibility.

Connectivity options were praised for wired listening, sharing audio, and useful device switching.

Design feedback was mostly positive for elegance and distinctiveness, though the brown finish and large form factor were subjective.

The retro Marshall design was widely praised as distinctive, classic, stylish, and aligned with the brand's rock identity.

The detachable analog cable was praised for enabling the music-sharing trick with another pair of headphones.

Durability evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer reporting the headphones held up through repeated travel.

Durability-over-time comments were positive where reviewers expected the headphones to survive years of use or abuse.

Ear cup padding was repeatedly praised as plush, soft, leather-covered, and comfortable.

Ear cup padding was consistently praised as thick, soft, plush, or squishy enough to help the on-ear fit.

One review praised the ear cups' 90-degree tilt as part of the flexible fit system.

EQ customization was a weak point because reviewers noted the absence of app-based EQ or deeper profile control.

EQ customization was useful and often praised, though some reviewers said its effect was subtle or insufficient.

Feature depth was mixed to weak: reviewers liked the core experience but noted limited software support and app features.

Launch feature set was criticized as limited, especially compared with competitors that include ANC, transparency, cases, or richer apps.

Frequency balance was praised as cohesive, polished, even, and well controlled across the range.

Measured frequency-response commentary was negative, with one review saying the tuning deviated drastically from the preferred curve.

Headband adjustment was praised in one review for smooth movement and secure positioning.

Headband adjustment was praised for smooth sliding rails and flexible adjustability.

Headband padding had a mild comfort caveat, with one reviewer saying the thin band was uncomfortable at first.

Headband padding feedback was mixed, with one review praising full soft coverage and another calling it thin.

One reviewer disliked the way the metal hinges stick out when folded, making hinge design a minor caveat.

Immersion was a clear strength, with reviewers describing the soundstage and presentation as multidimensional, open, and engaging.

Accessories were generally useful, but one reviewer missed a USB-C to USB-C cable.

Included accessories were criticized as skimpy because reviewers expected more protection or extras for the price.

Instrument separation was a standout strength, repeatedly described as outstanding, accurate, layered, and clearly spaced.

Reviewers who focused on separation generally praised stereo placement, detail visibility, and the ability to follow individual sound elements.

The integrated mic array was praised in one review as working well for clear recordings.

LDAC was criticized as a missing advantage versus a competing Android-focused headphone.

LE Audio readiness was treated as a forward-looking advantage for streaming, sync, and Auracast-related future use.

Maximum-volume behavior was praised for headroom, detail, and lack of distortion.

Reviewers noted that the headphones could play loudly without obvious strain and still had headroom.

Microphone noise reduction received positive comments for cleaning up office, cafe, and ambient noise around speech.

Call quality was usually praised, with reviewers hearing loud, clear, understandable voice capture; one found it noisy but usable.

Midrange clarity was repeatedly praised for resolution, clean layering, vocal realism, and detail.

Midrange clarity was often praised for vocals and detail, but some reviewers heard recessed or deficient mids.

Multi-platform use was positive where one reviewer reported seamless switching between phone and laptop.

Multipoint generally worked well, though one reviewer noted playback must be paused on one device before switching.

Passive isolation benefited from the large earcups and fit, helping reduce outside noise before ANC.

Passive isolation was mixed: the pads muffled some office chatter and ambient sound, but on-ear fit still let plenty through.

Overall recommendations were positive for listeners prioritizing premium wireless sound, with caveats around price, travel bulk, and features.

Overall recommendations were mixed-to-positive: many reviewers recommended the headphones for battery, design, and casual use, but with clear caveats.

Portability was a consistent weakness because the headphones are large, do not collapse, and use a bulky case.

Portability and foldability were consistently praised because the headphones collapse very small and fit easily in bags.

Premium feel was consistently supported by high-end build, leather materials, accents, and a luxury presentation.

Premium feel was mixed: the design could look special, but some reviewers said the materials did not feel expensive.

The preset Hi-Fi and Bass modes were generally praised, especially the controlled bass boost and audiophile-leaning Hi-Fi mode.

Preset EQ feedback was limited but positive when reviewers singled out balanced or useful presets.

Replaceable earpads were praised as a welcome feature for cleaning and replacement.

Replaceable earpads were a plus in reviews that noted removable pads or replacement cups.

Pad replacement received positive support, though the evidence focuses on replaceable earpads rather than the headband.

Smart listening features were useful for quick Spotify, EQ, or assistant access, though one reviewer found the M button nonessential.

Setup simplicity was a strength for reviewers who valued fast pairing and freedom from app tinkering.

Setup was easy out of the box in one review, but app responsiveness and connection reliability were criticized elsewhere.

Sound leakage was mixed-to-negative, with some office-safe results but several warnings about leakage at higher volumes.

Sound quality was the product’s strongest consensus, with reviewers repeatedly calling it outstanding for wireless headphones.

Most reviewers liked the lively Marshall-leaning sound, but several found it average, treble-heavy, distant, or not competitive for audiophiles.

Soundstage was praised as wide, open, spacious, and unusually impressive for Bluetooth closed-back headphones.

Soundstage ranged from surprisingly wide and dynamic to compact, intimate, or under-imaged depending on the reviewer.

One review said Dolby Atmos playback still had kick despite the lack of noise cancelling.

Connection and fit stability evidence was positive, with reviewers reporting no dropouts and stable long listening.

Fit stability was mixed: some reviews praised secure fit, while others found head movement could shift or dislodge the headphones.

Spotify integration was praised by Spotify users as genuinely useful for starting or cycling music quickly.

Repairability was viewed as a plus because reviewers noted battery replacement through Marshall's repair program.

Transparency mode was considered clear and useful for outside awareness without major disruption.

Travel friendliness was mixed: sound-on-the-go was valued, but size and packing difficulty were recurring caveats.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-positive: small size and battery helped, while no ANC and no case limited flights and loud travel.

Treble was generally praised for detail and smoothness, though some brightness sensitivity appeared in one review.

Treble was described as crisp and detailed by some reviewers, while others found the top end harsh, exaggerated, or clustered.

USB-C playback received positive support as part of the IO-12’s high-quality wired digital listening flexibility.

USB-C charging was viewed positively, especially as a more reliable option than fiddly wireless charging.

Value was highly context-dependent: some reviewers found it worth the premium, while others questioned the price.

Value was split: reviewers liked the battery, design, and sound for the price, but many felt ANC competitors offered more.

Voice assistant use was positive in the review that tested Google Assistant and Siri.

Voice prompts were useful for battery feedback, especially warning users about charge status before it becomes a problem.

Marshall's guitar-riff feedback tones were described as a nice brand touch by reviewers who mentioned them.

Volume output had positive support, with enough headroom and strong clarity at high volume.

One reviewer found normal listening volume more than sufficient, with extra output available if needed.

Reviewers treated the lack of IP or water resistance as a real limitation for rain, sweat, hikes, and outdoor use.

Weight comfort was positive in one review, where the headphones never felt cumbersome despite their size.

Low weight was a consistent strength, with reviewers calling the headphones light, barely noticeable, and easy to wear.

Wind noise handling was a weakness, with one reviewer finding the IO-12 more susceptible than consumer-focused rivals.

Wind handling was only discussed in microphone-test contexts and was generally positive alongside noisy-condition call performance.