In an age where smartphones dominate music playback, dedicated digital audio players (DAPs) like the Hidizs AP80 Pro Max still hold a special appeal for serious listeners. Compact yet premium, this Hi-Res music player aims to bring audiophile-grade playback to a portable, affordable form factor. Equipped with dual ESS9219C DACs, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and HiByOS software with MSEB sound tuning, the AP80 Pro Max promises a refined listening experience that’s more flexible than typical entry-level DAPs. But how well does this sleek device balance premium design, modern features, and actual sonic performance? Let’s find out.
What You Get
- AP80 Pro Max Digital Audio Player
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- User Manual
Build
I’m used to my DAPs being chunkey devices with screens that rival the size of your smartphone. These DAPs also tend to cost much, much more than the AP80 Pro Max. That being said, for a budget item, the construction of the device is almost just as premium as ones that are beyond its price point. The device is housed in an aluminum-alloy frame with glass panels and includes a physical volume wheel and buttons for tactile control. If it were any bigger, the AP80 Pro Max would be unmistakable as a mid-budget DAP from the likes of Fiio.
Design
The Hidizs AP80 PRO Max is an all-in-one high-res streaming music player built around these core components: a dual ES9219C DAC / amplifier architecture to drive headphones with high fidelity and low distortion, a WiFi + Bluetooth stack enabling direct access to streaming services and wireless audio output, a microSD slot for local lossless playback, and a 2.95-inch touchscreen UI running a custom HiByOS + MSEB tuning engine for sound customization. As a user experience, the small screen wasn’t ideal, but connecting my iPhone through AirPlay made the experience a lot easier to digest, especially when you need to type things out. It’s not always a perfect connection, though, as I experienced some dropouts while streaming music from Tidal. Using Tidal on the device itself is limited, but it doesn’t feature any delays. Based on this experience, I think having music downloaded and scanned into the HiBy music app is a preferable way to listen to your tracks with the AP80 Pro Max.
Sound Impressions
I tested out a few different IEMs and a pair of headphones with the AP80 Pro Max, and the overall sound profile of the device is a bit underwhelming. I know this is a budget player, but if you’re looking for more drive than your current smartphone/DAC combo, you might be disappointed. Whether I was listening to the Meze Alba, BLON X Z Jojo, or Sivga SV021, the AP80 Pro Max seems to deliver a small-scale, linear sound. Soundstage width and separation are maintained well, but the thinness of the imaging is noticeable, especially when dealing with the midrange.
Summary
The Hidizs AP80 Pro Max stands as an impressive piece of engineering for its price, offering a sturdy aluminum build, intuitive controls, and versatile playback options that make it ideal for casual audiophiles on a budget. While its sound signature may not deliver the depth or drive of higher-end DAPs, it still provides a clean, detailed presentation that suits most IEMs and efficient headphones. For listeners who value portability, style, and high-resolution playback without spending a fortune, the AP80 Pro Max delivers solid value, especially when paired with offline music libraries. It’s a reminder that even compact players can offer big features, if not quite the same big sound.
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The HiBy X Linsoul AP80 Pro Max is available on Kickstarter.
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