The Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX 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 AP80 PRO MAX is $159 and you can order it directly from Hidiz’s website. A high quality leather case is available as an optional purchase.
About Hidizs
Hidizs is a well known brand from China that makes earphones and portable audio devices. In the rare case that you are not familiar with the brand, I have asked AI to make a brief introduction for you.
“Hidizs is a Chinese audio brand known for producing high-value portable audio gear, including digital audio players, DAC/amps, and in-ear monitors. Since launching its first products, the company has focused on delivering strong technical performance and modern design at accessible prices, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious audiophiles and newcomers to the hobby alike.”
Some products worth mentioning are the MK12 and MP145 earphones, as well as the S8 Pro and S9 Pro Plus USB DAC/amps.
You can also read past Hidizs reviews in order to get to know the brand and their products.
The legendary Hidizs AP80
The Hidizs AP80 was the band’s first portable audio player (DAP) that was released in 2018. It was equipped with an Ingenic X1000 processor, a single ESS ES9218P DAC chip, a 2.45″ Samsung IPS touchscreen, and an ALPS volume wheel. Other features included bi-directional Bluetooth connectivity with LDAC support and two way USB DAC function.
Subsequently, the AP80 was upgraded to the AP80 PRO with dual ESS ES9218P DAC chips and then to the AP80 PRO-X with dual ES9219C DAC chips and a true balanced output for better sound performance. Most other features remained the same while both the AP80 and AP80 PRO-X lacked support for WiFi streaming services.
Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX
Fast forward to 2025 and Hidizs has joined forces with Linsoul (the famous audio retailer from China) to produce the Hidizs x Linsoul AP80 PRO MAX, the latest generation of the brand’s iconic player.
This edition was quickly sold out and after the community’s overwhelming request, Hidizs unveiled the original edition of the AP80 PRO MAX. The only difference between these two editions lies in their outer appearance, the Hidizs x Linsoul has a distinctive diamond-patterned back panel whereas the Hidizs has an elegant plain back panel.
Technical overview
The major update of the MAX edition over the previous models is the support for 2.4GHz WiFi streaming for Tidal and Qobuz, as well as DLNA & AirPlay, but it is not the only one.
The AP80 PRO MAX maxes out over its predecessors by using a new Ingenic X1600E SoC for smoother performance. Additionally it now has a bigger 2.95’ touch screen, a 4.4mm balanced headphone output and a larger capacity battery (1300mAh vs 800mAh).
The DAC architecture is the same (dual ES9219C chips) but the AP80 PRO MAX has higher Dynamic Range and lower S/N ratio ratings. All the other features remain pretty much the same with some incremental improvements.
The AP80 PRO MAX supports bi-directional Bluetooth 5.1, micro SD card expansion up to 1TB, two way USB DAC function and HiBy link among other functions.
It delivers bit-perfect playback with sampling rates up to 384kHz/32bit PCM, native DSD256, MQA 16X, and handles all major audio file types including FLAC, WAV, ALAC, and DSD.
Accessories
The package includes USB type C power and USB type C-C OTG cables. A high quality leather case is available as an optional accessory. Screen protector films at the front and the back are pre-installed from the factory.
Normally I would have complained about the lack of a case, but at $159 it’s hard to expect everything. Still, Hidizs could have thrown in a basic silicone case that wouldn’t add much to the cost.
Design and layout
The AP80 PRO MAX has a plain but aesthetically pleasing and functional design. A minimalistic rectangular shape with two offset, multi-angled surfaces and a metallic volume wheel that add plenty of personality while staying low profile.
Measuring 82.8x51x15mm and weighing 81g, the Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX is very compact and lightweight, it is not that bigger or weightier than a lot of USB DAC dongles. As an example, it is not much bigger than the FiiO BTR17 which lacks streaming capabilities and file playback.
Except for the multifunction wheel the AP80 PRO MAX also has three strategically placed side buttons for music playback control. The bottom part houses the two headphone outputs (3.5mm and 4.4mm) and the USB type-C port, while the micro SD card slot is to be found at the left side.
The device is cleverly designed for one-handed use while it is exceptionally well made, featuring a CNC-machined aluminum alloy body and glass panels at the front and the back. It is available in five different colors (black, gray, blue, green and red) while a special, pure copper edition costs $100 more.
UI and operation
The AP80 PRO MAX runs the Linux-based HiBy OS that supports touch and swipe actions. The home screen has 6 shortcut windows that are not user-configurable. Music browser, Streaming media, Wireless, E-books, System and About. Swiping from left to right opens the now playing screen while there is also a drop-down (or you can make it pull-up) menu with handy shortcuts that can be set by the user.
The UI is surprisingly fast and snappy but there are some limitations due to screen size. The characters and virtual buttons are small to read and touch, especially if you have thick fingers, but with some practice you will find your way out.
The AP80 PRO MAX has numerous user-configurable functions that are too many to list here. For instance you can set screen and shutdown timers, adjust brightness, select UI themes, configure USB working modes, etc. The player application supports both file and tag browsing with search function. The options are so many that you will not find yourself missing the Android OS, except maybe downloading a third party music player and the missing streaming applications.
The device offers bi-directional Bluetooth connectivity, two way USB connection (so you can use it both as a USB DAC and digital transport), as well as wireless streaming through the DLNA and AirPlay protocols, while you can also import music via WiFi. All functions were tested and performed as expected with some minor lag when streaming music through DLNA (i haven’t tested AirPlay).
Streaming services
The supported streaming services are Qobuz and Tidal only. Using them is simple and straightforward, the only thing you have to do is to log into your account and you get full access to your favorites, playlists and all the search functions. Everything is displayed as a list without cover art which is only displayed in the music playback screen. Offline content is not supported.
The search function is fast enough without much lagging, everything works perfectly and the only glitch that I have discovered (in Qobuz, don’t know about Tidal) is that playlist display is limited to 50 items, in longer playlists the rest are not displayed. There is also a WiFi glitch, the AP80 PRO MAX will not connect to WiFis that broadcast SSID names with special characters.
Sound customization options
The AP80 PRO MAX offers comprehensive sound customization options including PEQ, EQ, digital filters, and the proprietary MSEB sound tuning system. The MSEB is a powerful tool that allows the user to make in-depth tuning adjustments. All these options have global effect.
Power output and noise
The maximum power out put of the Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX is 190mW*2/32Ω from its balanced output, the same as the AP80 PRO-X. It is too low for a DAP, even lower than the power output of some USB DAC dongles. This happens because the AP80 PRO MAX has a plain circuitry that relies on the embedded amplifiers of the two DAC chips instead of using extra amplification op-amps.
So, the AP80 PRO MAX feels at home with earphones and is not ideal for driving full sized headphones. The good news is that there is no background noise so you can use sensitive earphones like the FiiO FA19.
Battery duration
The new 1300mAh high capacity battery and the low-power system optimisation of the AP80 PRO MAX offer much improved working times over its predecessors. The battery lasted about 9 hours steaming music through Qobuz from the balanced output. Fast charging is also supported so the battery gets fully charged in about 1.5 hours. Not bad numbers considering the size and the weight of the device.
Listening impressions
The sonic signature of the AP80 PRO MAX is crystal clear and transparent with great tonal neutrality minus a touch of extra brilliance in the treble. The sound is pretty much flat and achromatic but not uninspiring or clinical. Please note that using loads more difficult than the device can handle, results in a rather underwhelming listening experience.
The AP80 PRO MAX offers excellent audio precision and fidelity but on the other hand it doesn’t stand out for its harmonic richness or the most analog timbre. The timbre is not devoid of some digital artificiality in the higher frequencies but the overall performance is much improved over the AP80 PRO-X which sounded much drier and metallic.
Technicalities are very good for such an affordable DAP, the bass is fast, tight and controlled with a good punch as long as you use efficient earphones. The textures are mildly lean and the bass doesn’t have too much weight or elasticity but it is very well defined and textured.
The mids and the highs are reproduced with notable clarity and separation, as well as satisfying articulation and resolution. The sound is energetic and luminous with plenty of foot tapping energy but it doesn’t become too bright or harsh as it happened in the AP80 PRO-X. The AP80 PRO MAX uses the same DAC chip configuration as its predecessor but it sounds more enjoyable and engaging with all kinds of music. The device also matches well with various earphones, brighter ones included.
The soundstage is large and wide enough with rather limited depth but excellent panning in the horizontal plane. There is plenty of air around the performers that are neatly arranged on the spacious stage. The AP80 PRO MAX never sounds congested and it is not going to handicap high quality earphones.
Vs the Shanling M1 Plus
The Shanling M1 Plus ($219) is also a non-Android DAP with DLNA/Airplay WiFi connectivity and Tidal integration but no Qobuz. This difference alone might be the most important one to let someone decide which one to buy.
The second most important difference is that the M1 Plus is much more powerful than the AP80 PRO MAX as it offers 660mW/32Ω from its balanced output. It can’t only drive more difficult loads but it also sounds more punchy and dynamic.
On the other hand, the AP80 PRO MAX’s strongest advantage is that it is more compact and lightweight (81g vs 116g) than the M1 Plus. Additionally it is also $60 less expensive and its battery duration is pretty much the same as Shanling’s DAP.
The overall user experience and most other features are pretty much identical between these two entry level DAPs. There is also a difference in how they sound. The M1 Plus is a touch more melodic and harmoniously rich player with a bit fuller textures and weightier bass. On the other hand, the AP80 PRO MAX will suit better users that are after more energetic treble, enhanced clarity and strict neutrality.
In the end
As long as you are content with the fact that the AP80 PRO MAX is only suitable for easy to drive earphones, then there is nothing else to blame.
The AP80 PRO MAX is the most compact and lightweight DAP with WiFi connectivity and Tidal/Qobuz integration, it has stellar sonic performance, excellent build quality, many functions and a powerful fine-tuning suite.
It is also super affordable and not more expensive than the majority of USB DAC dongles while surpassing all of them in functionality and connectivity.
The Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX has become one of my favorite audio gadgets and I would choose it over similarly sized USB DAC dongles (with or without battery) anytime of the day. The AP80 PRO MAX is a serious contender to be nominated this year’s best affordable DAP and Hidizs’s highest engineering achievement thus far.
Author’s note- the device pictured is the Hidizs x Linsoul AP80 PRO MAX
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Neutral and transparent sound
+ Excellent technical performance for the category
+ Not much digital glare or brightness
+ Open and spacious soundstage
+ Bi-directional WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
+ Qobuz and Tidal streaming services
+ Two-way USB connection
+ 2.95” touch display with vibrant colors
+ Excellent build quality
+ Minimalistic yet classy Design
+ Super compact and lightweight for a WiFi DAP
+ Fast and responsive HiBy OS
+ Good battery duration for the size
+ Ridiculously affordable
- Not the most melodic and natural timbre
- Limited power output / suitable only for earphones
- Small display not ideal for touch actions
- Spotify is not supported
- Some limitations on Qobuz and Tidal integration
- Non-Android OS means limited flexibility
- No protective case
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