Hidizs AP80 Pro Max Hi-Res Music Player review – So small, but packed with audio goodies

If you buy something from a link in this article, we may earn a commission. Learn more

REVIEW – The world of digital audio players (DAP) is a strange world indeed. What began as a niche market (early MP3 players) exploded in the early 2000s with Apple’s wildly successful iPod. Suddenly, portable digital music became the norm. It took Apple’s groundbreaking iPhone to kill the iPod. Smartphones could play music like DAPs, but they could also play and stream music wirelessly. That brings us full circle—back to DAPs existing in a niche market. And yet, DAPs continue to sell in a world of wireless convenience. Audio companies like Hidizs, with their AP80 Pro Max DAP, continue to make small digital players that can sound incredible. But can they be as convenient as a smartphone?

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $139.00-$159.00 (during Kickstarter period)
Where to buy: Kickstarter

What is it?

The AP80 Pro Max was developed in partnership with Linsoul Audio. It promises distraction-free music listening, as it requires no internet connection. It is an upgrade from the AP80 and AP80 Pro.

The Pro Max is a tiny DAP that plays both hi and low-res music—pretty much any music-file type it’s fed. It works with DSD256, PCM 32-bit/384kHz, and MQA. There are dual ES9219C digital audio convertors (DACs). The shell is machined from CNC aluminum with a 2.95″ (360 x 640) glass screen front and glass back.

Music is stored on a MicroSD card (up to 2TB, not included). The AP80 Pro Max can also serve as a dual-purpose DAC for use with smartphones. Note that most smartphones have inferior DACs when compared to single-purpose digital audio players.

Music can be played either wirelessly or via Bluetooth 5.1, or 2.4 GHz WiFi. Streaming comes from either Tidal, Qobuz, DLNA, or AirPlay via LDAC, UAT, or aptX codecs. Bluetooth can be wirelessly streamed to the AP80 Pro Max and then connected to wired headphones via two headphone ports: a 3.5 mm port and a balanced 4.4 mm port.

What’s included?

AP80 Pro Max
Extra screen protectors
USB-C cable (short)
USB-A to USB-C cable (long)
Leather case (extra-cost option—provided by Hidizs)

Tech specs

Dimensions: 3.25 x 2 x .6 inches
Dual ES9219C DAC chips
Inztuitive Ul
PCM
Native DSD256
PUN 384KHZ/320IT
X1600E SOC
MQA 16X
4.4mm BAL, 3.5mm PO headphone ports
2.95 (360×640) HD touchscreen
Aluminum alloy (CNC)
2.4GHz WiFi streaming
Bi-directional USB DAC
Bi-Directional Bluetooth 5.1
Codecs: LDAC, Sony LDAC
MSEB tuning board
EQ/PEQ tuning
HiBy OS
HiBy link
Battery: 12 hours / 60 days standby
Hi-Res Audio & Hi-Res audio wireless certified

Design and features

When I first began playing with the HiDizs AP80 Pro Max, I was overwhelmed by how much this small digital audio player (DAP) could do. My iPod (which I no longer use) was so simple to operate because Apple decided what it would and would not do. Modern DAPs take the “kitchen sink” approach. They are almost exclusively used by audiophiles, meaning the players need to offer countless features and formats, and well, you get the picture. The AP80 Pro Max does that and more.

At $139-$159 ($239 after Kickstarter), the AP80 Pro Max offers features typically found in DAPs that cost significantly more. Some DAPs cost over $1,000 and can rival large home units. But is that the purpose of portable DAPs? It seems to me that if you’re going portable, you don’t want to be carrying around a DAP that costs that much. A dedicated music player—without all the smartphone distractions—can easily play hi-res music at an affordable price. Plus, can anyone but a devoted audiophile tell the difference between a player like the AP80 Pro Max and the more expensive brands? I’m not sure I can.

Speaking of telling the difference, you can differentiate between music coming from a smartphone via wireless earphones and wired music from the AP80 Pro Max. Wired earphones handle hi-res music effortlessly. Earphones using Bluetooth (no matter the flavor) don’t sound quite as detailed or emotional. Granted, they can still sound great (I use wireless most of the time), but wired is better, if only slightly—enough of my rant.

There are things I noticed right away using the AP80 Pro Max. It’s really small and lightweight. When holding, I worry that I may drop it. Hidizs included a leather case and clear screen covers, which help a lot. Additionally, due to the glass surfaces, the DAP is prone to fingerprints.

The AP80 Pro Max places the necessary buttons on the right side—all with easy reach, allowing for single-handed operation. Above the small Play/pause/skip/replay buttons is a gold-colored knob that controls volume by turning and also serves as an on/off switch by pressing.

The AP80 Pro Max’s OS (operating system) is as basic as it gets. However, it’s easy to understand and use—no manual necessary. Since the screen is small, my clumsy fingers sometimes have trouble clicking the correct button or typing on the keyboard. Additionally, some of the keyboard layouts were reminiscent of the 90s, requiring users to click a group of letters to enter the correct one. There is no companion smartphone app. All control is through the DAP itself.

There are several ways to play music on the AP80 Pro Max. The best way is through wired earphones/headphones. The DAP has enough power to drive most headphones (some headphones are not portable player-friendly) either through its 3.5 mm port or its balanced 4.4mm port. This method provides the best listening experience possible. The AP80 Pro Max’s dual DACs are excellent at converting digital files to analog audio (you can’t “hear” digital music). What you do hear is music as close as possible to what the musician(s) intended. I never tire of hearing my favorite hi-res test albums (Moody Blues’ “Days of Future Past”, Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “Child is Father to the Man”, Jennifer Warnes’ “Famous Blue Raincoat”, Amber Rubarth’s “Sessions from the 17th Ward”, or Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”).

The AP80 Pro Max also plays music through hi-res streaming apps like TIDAL and Qubiz. It will not play music through apps like Spotify or Apple Music. Even if it did, what would be the point? DAPs are for hi-res music delivered directly from a digital ot analog source. That’s something wireless cannot provide—except …

However, you can listen to music in hi-res wirelessly using AirPlay. I don’t bother with AirPlay listening because there can be dropouts, and sometimes setting it up has to be repeated with each use. Also, there are no controls on the AP80 itself via AirPlay. Only volume works. No artist info or play/pause/skip functions are available.

Then there’s Bluetooth. Granted, the AP80 Pro Max can use “hi-res” codecs like LDAC, aptX, AAC, SBC, and more. However, it won’t sound as good as a wired connection. Additionally, if you prefer using Bluetooth, just use your smartphone. DAPs are made for the best listening possible … and that’s wired.

Navigating through the AP80 Pro Max’s multitude of settings, display preferences, and music EQ settings can be time-consuming. Some settings will be easy to decide on, while others will require some experimentation to find what you like. It can be tricky scrolling and clicking through the many windows and settings because the display buttons are pretty small. Younger eyes may not have an issue, but my older eyes and butter fingers clicked the wrong thing many times, requiring me to back up and redo. It took me about a day to arrive at a point where I could leave the settings alone—for now. Please note that other albums, earphones, and listening methods may require settings different from those used for my default settings.

Hidizs provided me with two sets of wired earphones for testing. The MS2 Pro hybrid earphones ($79) are highly affordable, and it’s evident. They look cool, but the chrome zinc-alloy metal is heavy in the ear. The sound is good, but subpar when directly compared to the second pair of earphones provided. The MK12 12mm HiFi earphones ($179) produce crisp and engaging sound. They come with three tiny filters that can adjust the sound to lean more towards bass or treble. I prefer the bass filter even though the bass is never too deep.

In fact, bass heads will appreciate neither of these earphones. They are both neutral, which is beneficial for more accurate music reproduction.

Both earphone models come with filters and multiple sizes of ear tips, high-purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated twisted pair wire cable (MK12) or high-purity silver-plated OFC hybrid wire cable (MS2 Pro). Both are hi-fi certified.

The Hidizs AP80 Pro Max leaves me with a feeling of how necessary this DAP is. (Hidizs answers that very question) What it does, it does exceptionally well. If you’re looking for a simple, yet terrific-sounding player without all the distractions of smart device addiction, look no further. If you’re looking for a player to use while your phone is nearby to take messages or calls, stick with your phone and wireless earbuds.

Final thoughts

This review can’t go through the (too) many features and settings available on the Hidizs AP80 Pro Max digital audio player. There are many excellent videos and reviews available. Please, never read just one review before making a purchase. This review can only introduce you to this terrific little DAP. If your music listening is confined to a music service like Spotify, switching to a dedicated DAP will open your ears to what you’ve been missing.

What I like about the Hidizs AP80 Pro Max Hi-Res Music Player

Affordable
Highly engaging audio when hard-wired
Easy-to-use OS
Small and light
Protective leather case (optional)
Hidizs also makes great earphones

What needs to be improved?

Some on-screen buttons are tiny

Price: $139.00-$159.00 (during Kickstarter period)
Where to buy: Kickstarter
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Hidizs. Hidizs did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.