Mark Levinson No. 5909 VS Dali IO-12 Comparison Review

Mark Levinson No. 5909 VS Dali IO-12 Comparison Review

Today, I’m thrilled to check two stellar contenders on the planet of wi-fi headphones: the Mark Levinson No. 5909 and the Dali IO-12. As a passionate audiophile, the prospect of exploring the distinctive high quality and progressive options of those premium headphones fills me with pleasure. Both fashions promise to ship unparalleled sound constancy and comfort with out the constraints of wires, setting a excessive customary within the realm of wi-fi audio expertise. Read on as we embark on a journey to uncover the nuances and excellence of those top-tier wi-fi headphones.

What you get

Look and Feel
In phrases of feel and look, each the Mark Levinson No. 5909 and the Dali IO-12 characteristic trendy, high-end designs accentuated by luxurious leather-based particulars. However, my private consolation desire tilts towards the Dali IO-12. While the No. 5909 boasts a sturdy construct with sturdy supplies, its weight can grow to be burdensome throughout prolonged use. Conversely, the Dali IO-12’s bigger measurement gives a extra snug match, making extended listening classes pleasant with none discomfort.

Design
When it involves design and performance, my expertise with the Mark Levinson No.5909 and the Dali IO-12 highlighted distinct traits.
The No.5909, with its adherence to the Harman curve and highly effective 40mm beryllium driver, promised distinctive sound high quality. However, I usually discovered myself battling quantity limitations, regardless of its spectacular noise-canceling capabilities.
On the opposite hand, the Dali IO-12 intrigued me with its progressive Soft Magnetic Compound system within the 50mm dynamic drivers. Though missing an accompanying app, the bodily buttons supplied intuitive management over options like ANC and EQ bass increase, enhancing my listening expertise with simplicity and effectivity.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Mark Levinson No.5909 stands out with its distinctive ANC efficiency, even rivaling high opponents like Sony. On its highest setting, it successfully blocks out voices and ambient noise, creating an immersive listening atmosphere. The accompanying app gives fundamental EQ changes for added customization.
While the Dali IO-12 could not attain the identical degree because the No.5909, its ANC continues to be extremely efficient, decreasing most exterior sounds throughout totally different frequencies. During testing, I discovered the IO-12’s ANC dependable and conducive to a nice listening expertise.

Bluetooth
The Mark Levinson No.5909 helps Bluetooth 5.1, that includes LDAC and aptX Adaptive CODECs. While music playback remained uninterrupted, telephone name stability diversified barely.
On the opposite hand, the Dali IO-12 gives Bluetooth model 5.2, making certain swift pairing and a steady connection for prolonged listening classes. With compatibility for aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive CODECs, the IO-12 delivers high-quality audio when paired with suitable units.

Battery Life Comparison
Both the Mark Levinson No.5909 and the Dali IO-12 supply strong battery efficiency to maintain your music taking part in.
The No.5909 supplies round 34 hours of playtime with out ANC, and nonetheless manages about 30 hours with ANC on, making certain long-lasting enjoyment with out interruptions.
Similarly, the Dali IO-12 impresses with as much as 35 hours of wi-fi listening on a single cost, offering ample energy for a number of classes earlier than needing a recharge.

Soundstage
In my exploration of soundstage, each the Mark Levinson No.5909 and the Dali IO-12 supplied fascinating sonic experiences, but the IO-12 stood out as one thing actually particular.
The No.5909 launched me to a peculiar but fascinating soundstage. Its unconventional form, with equal width and depth, defied conventional stereo patterns, enveloping me in a singular spatial audio expertise. Instruments felt elevated, as if emanating from above, enhancing the general cohesiveness of the sound.
However, it was the Dali IO-12 that really impressed me with its expansive and immersive soundstage. Unlike every other wi-fi headphones I’ve tried, the IO-12 transported me to a realm of open and spacious sound, paying homage to high-end wired headphones. Each instrument was exactly positioned inside the combine, creating a way of depth and dimension that made the efficiency really feel tangible and lifelike. The huge stereo discipline and distinctive instrument separation additional enhanced the immersive qualities of the soundstage, making me really feel like I used to be proper within the coronary heart of the music.

Low End
I actually benefit from the bass in each headphones, particularly when listening to “Westcoast” by One Republic.
The bass on the No. 5909 feels delicate but clear, mixing easily with the remainder of the music. Even with out changes, it gives a satisfying depth, particularly within the sub-bass frequencies. Turning on the “enhanced” mode provides a bit extra richness to the bass, making it punchier with out overwhelming the sound. Overall, it’s a balanced and pleasant low-end expertise.
The bass on the Dali IO-12 is flexible and dynamic. In its default setting, it feels pure and well-balanced, offering a very good punch with out being overpowering. If you need a bit extra oomph, there’s an additional bass mode that provides thickness with out sacrificing readability. It’s an amazing possibility for many who take pleasure in a fuller bass with out compromising on total sound high quality.

Mids
The midrange efficiency of each headphones is strikingly comparable, making it tough for me to decide on a transparent favourite. However, right here’s how they every make me really feel:
The midrange of the No.5909 gives an expansive sense of area, contributing to a lush and resonant combine. Despite the readability and spaciousness, there’s a slight lack of vitality within the elementary mid-band frequencies, which may benefit from a contact extra aggression to totally showcase the headphones’ spatial capabilities. While vocals within the higher midrange are elegant and crisp, these with a decrease register could battle to interrupt by means of the combo.
The midrange of the IO-12 stands out with distinctive readability, even for wi-fi headphones. Instruments and vocals sound remarkably practical, lifting the veil usually related to wi-fi audio. The notes have a palpable velocity to them, leading to energetic and emotionally partaking performances. Every side of the midrange feels authentically “hi-fi,” delivering plausible sound high quality that exceeds expectations for wi-fi headphones.

Highs
Both the No.5909 and the IO-12 ship unbelievable highs that add an additional layer of magic to the listening expertise. The highs on the No.5909 carry moments of pure delight, capturing each element with outstanding management. While they will sometimes be vivid, they preserve a clean and pleasant shine. With good extension within the higher treble, they supply a crisp and ethereal really feel to each music, elevating the general efficiency.
The highs on the IO-12 are equally spectacular, providing loads of readability and element. Although they could appear a tad vivid for some, I discover them well-balanced and straightforward to take pleasure in. They add a shimmery texture to the sound, enhancing its character. Plus, the IO-12’s highs present an additional sense of peak to the music, making it really feel such as you’re surrounded by the sound.

Summary
In my thorough comparability of the Mark Levinson No.5909 and the Dali IO-12, I discovered each to be distinctive contenders within the realm of premium wi-fi headphones.
I need to admit, I’m torn between the 2 as they each supply excellent sound high quality and options that cater to discerning audiophiles. However, if pressed to decide on, I’d possible sway in the direction of the DALI IO-12 for its immersive soundstage and user-friendly controls.
That stated, it’s price noting that the similarities between them are placing. Both headphones excel in offering luxurious designs, efficient energetic noise cancellation, and detailed sound replica throughout numerous frequencies.
Ultimately, the choice between the No.5909 and the IO-12 boils down to non-public desire and priorities. Regardless of which one you select, you’re certain to expertise a premium listening expertise that enhances your enjoyment of music and audio content material.

Mark Levinson No. 5909 and Dali IO-12 can be found at Audio46.

Read extra about Mark Levinson No.5909 right here.

Read extra about Dali IO-12 right here.

The submit Mark Levinson No. 5909 VS Dali IO-12 Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

HI-FI News

through Major HiFi https://majorhifi.com/

February 29, 2024 at 12:16AM