The BGVP MX1 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the MX1 is $79 and you can buy it from BGVP or their official AliExpress store.
BGVP HiFi
BGVP HiFi (short for “Budget Good Value Product”) is a well-regarded name in the world of portable audio, known for delivering premium-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs), earbuds, and audio gear that blend cutting-edge acoustic engineering with affordable prices. Some of BGVP’s most recognized and acclaimed products include the BGVP Q3, BGVP DMA and the BGVP NS10 earphones among many others.
BGVP MX1
BGVP mostly focuses on making in-ear monitors but they also have a few USB DAC cable adapters in their catalog. The latest addition in this line of products is the BGVP MX1, a full sized USB DAC dongle with a detachable cable and a balanced audio architecture.
The MX1 uses dual CS43198 DAC chips, a high precision femtosecond crystal oscillator and a sophisticated power supply with 9 rails for better power management.
Nothing really groundbreaking, the BGVP MX1 features the same audio architecture as a bunch of other similar products. Let’s find out what else it has to offer.
Design and build quality
The BGVP MX1 has a rectangularly shaped chassis with tastefully angled surfaces and a symmetrical design that helps with ergonomy. The front and back have glossy panels from some kind of a high quality polymer material that adds extra visual appeal but it also tends to attract fingerprints and scratches.
Weighing just 16g, the MX1 is one of the most lightweight USB DAC dongles in this size, making it ideal for use on the go without adding much weight to the whole set-up. The well made aluminum chassis is available in dark grey or gold finishes with contrasting black faceplates that have the BGVP logo engraved on them.
Layout and operation
The MX1 is plug ‘n play with Android, Windows 10, Mac, HarmonyOS and iOS, supporting sampling rates up to 768kHz/32bit PCM and DSD256. A small indicator LED will light blue when the device is on standby mode, green for PCM audio decoding and red for DSD. The MX1 features 100 steps of independent volume adjustment and two gain settings while it supports earphones with call-line and control functions.
A smartly positioned switch at the one side of the chassis is used to toggle the gain between high and low while two dedicated buttons at the opposite side are for raising and lowering the volume. A third multifunction button is for play/pause and next/previous track. BGVP has made sure to equip the MX1 with all the necessary buttons to control the device without the need to reach for your phone.
The Walk Play application
The BGVP MX1 is compatible with an application called Walk Play that is available for Android and HarmonyOS while iOS support will be added in the future. The app is available at the Xiaomi and Vivo app stores and not the official Google Play store but you can download it from here. The application is also accessible on a PC by opening a web browser page with this address.
The Walk Play application allows for easy firmware updates and supports a fully customizable PEQ. The equaliser includes 7 ready-made presets or you can make your own by adjusting the values on the 8-band parametric EQ. You can also import other users’ settings and share yours. I don’t use EQ so I haven’t fiddled much with the application and can’t provide an in-depth evaluation of its functionality.
Accessories
The package includes a high quality USB type C to C cable and a full size adapter.
Power output and efficiency
The power output of the BGVP MX1 is 320mW/32Ω (4Vrms) from the 4.4mm balanced output and 125mW/32Ω (2Vrms) from the 3.5mm. With such ratings, the MX1 is one of the most powerful USB DAC dongles within its category. As an example the ddHiFi TC44Pro E2 can do 250mW/32Ω from its balanced output and the Hidizs S8 Pro 160mW/32Ω.
The power consumption of the MX1 was measured at 0.03A/0.17W in standby mode, 0.06A/0.33W while playing music at low gain and 0.07A/0.34W at high gain so it is exceptionally efficient and will not drain your phone’s battery. Without earphones connected, the MX1 will not consume any power. You need to connect earphones in order to power it on and enter standby mode.
The BGVP MX1 was tested with the BGVP Feather and the ISN Audio H60 earphones, as well as the Sivga Anser headphones. The device stays cool even at full throttle and has plenty of power to drive efficient headphones. There is no audible background hiss or EMI noise.
Listening impressions
The audio performance of the BGVP MX1 is stellar and at least on par with competitive USB DAC dongles with the same audio architecture. It has a flat frequency response and a neutral sound signature with a touch of warmth. The technical performance is as good as it can get with dual CS43198 chips and the sound is pretty transparent without any signs of degradation or lack of definition.
The bass is deep yet fast, tight and controlled but its texture is not that full bodied or too weighty. It performs admirably well when it comes to definition and layering while the MX1 sounds more impactful and punchy than most competitive devices thanks to its higher power output. There is plenty of headroom to spare and the MX1 will make your earphones come alive.
The mid-range is open and spacious with good articulation and separation. There is plenty of clarity on tap and the sound is not dry or sterile. The timbre is quite realistic and the tonality convincing. Don’t expect too much harmonic variety or analog-like textures but also rest assured that the MX1 is an expressive and communicative DAC that will connect you with the music and let you enjoy your favourite tunes.
The treble goes without any brightness or sharpness worth noting while it remains extended and energetic enough with very satisfying resolution for the category. You can’t choose digital filters and take advantage of the CS43198’s NOS option but generally speaking the timbre is natural without much digital glare or artificiality. The MX1 pairs well with all earphones, no matter if they are bright or dark, and sounds engaging with all kinds of music.
The true balanced architecture helps a lot with the soundstage presentation which is open and spacious with good width and very decent imaging for the category. The MX1 can easily scale with the size of the ensemble and sound grand and uncongested.
In the end
Honestly speaking, the BGVP MX1 is yet another USB DAC dongle with the same audio architecture and similar sonic performance as many other competitive devices. The audio quality is truly good but not necessarily better or that different than the rest.
However, the BGVP MX1 has some unique characteristics that help it stand out from the crowd. It is extremely lightweight, powerful yet efficient, it has three control buttons, two gain settings, 100 steps of independent volume adjustment and a PEQ accompanying app. The price is also right and the design rather special, so the BGVP MX1 has its own appeal to win you over without second thoughts.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Stellar audio quality
+ Excellent technical performance for the category
+ Not much digital glare or artificiality
+ More powerful than most of the competition
+ Silent and shielded against EMI
+ Low power consumption
+ Full hardware control
+ Two gain settings and 100 steps of volume adjustment
+ Accompanying application with PEQ
+ Very lightweight and well made
+ High quality detachable cable
+ Good value for money
- The faceplates attract fingerprints and are prone to scratching
- Can't select digital filters
- Sonic performance not that different from the competition
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