Hidizs AP80 Pro-X Copper Edition – Fast review

Sound performance

Now comes the tricky question: does copper beat aluminum? Or in this case, is the AP80 Pro-X Copper Edition any different – or better – than the original one? Tough question…

Out of the box, paired with the DT770 Pro X, the player offers a slight difference compared to the original balanced signature, delivering warmer mids and sharper highs. It’s still fast and precise, at any level of volume, and the layering feels equally natural, but on my A/B testing, the copper always seemed a tad narrower in terms of soundstage, while offering better upper range. This could be purely linked to burn-in though and not be an impact from using Cu.

Pan effects are the same – delightful, with good depth –  and the player was able to scale nicely with my gear, be it the FiiO FD7, Shanling ME800, or even the simple – but lovely – AudioSense DT600, which displayed authoritative bass, something that I would have not expected for a DAP this small. Digging deeper, I switched from the 2.5mm, to the 3.5mm, to see if what I heard through the balanced port, translates to the single-ended output. Fed with the usual audiophile tracklist (Eagles, Steely Dan, Jamiroquai) the small DAP did wonders with my UM Maestro. It even sounded better than the FiiO KA3 + iPhone, especially in the upper range. 

Head to head, I found the Hidzs more charming, with a more balanced signature, and precise timbre, even more once connected through the balanced output. Even at low volume, the AP80 Pro-X pushes micro-details, almost effortlessly, and if I didn’t listen to the previous version, the third time is the charm. Paired with the FiiO FF3 (review incoming), the difference was more palpable: better detail retrieval, and a wider soundstage but, I think that’ll really depend on your IEM/headphone. With the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X, the upgrade was imperceptible, even after a long listening session. 

Again, comparing both players, through the 2.5mm TRRS output, they were equally impressive, pushing clear mids and tight highs with no special efforts, but to say that the Copper completely outperformed the aluminum version would be kind of a stretch, in my opinion.

Still, in this price range, this remains one of the best DAP available at the moment, even more so if you pair it with a high-end DAC.

Tonality

Highs : a tad sharper, still cool. The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X Copper edition is pure ESS: good extension, acute trebles, and a lot of micro-details, with the right headphones/IEM. In this regard, If I had to choose one device to pair the player with, that would be the FiiO FD7 this time – the booming machine

Track : Poly – Thylacine

Mids : warmer-ish. If I didn’t feel any difference with the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X, with the FiiO FD7 voices appeared a bit more natural, especially in 2.5mm. Still, I remained surprised by how well the small player behaves, even paired with the Beyer, and for someone who wants a pocket sub-$500 combo, this is a top-pick.

Track : Wanderer – Mogli

Lows : clean and tight (no difference). The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X isn’t for bass heads, and the player did a good job, but nothing amazing either. However, you might be surprised by low-mids kicks sometimes, especially with IEM like the Shanling, or FiiO’s FD series. On Kaleo’s hit, the battery kick completely took me by surprise, and deeply resonated in my head, even after a few seconds.

Tracks : Way down we go – Kaleo

Conclusion

Long story short: the Hidizs AP80 Pro-X Copper edition is still a great player, but sonically it’s hard to spot a difference. 

Yet, if I had the choice, I’d take the Copper edition instead of the classic one. Why? Visually, the limited edition is simply gorgeous, with a red accent and heavier body. 

It’s still not a player that will replace your mid-to-high-end DAP, but like my AirPods Pro (2 now), it’s one that can be safely put in a pocket or a backpack, and travel with you everywhere, to offer some audiophile experience on the go.

Un bijou!