Watch my full review here:
Purchase Links
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hidizs/ap30-music-boy-the-first-truly-wearable-hi-res-music-player?ref=i50q6p
AP30 Music Boy Product Page: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ap30-music-boy-the-truly-wearable-palm-sized-hi-res-music-player
Key Specifications
- Price: $119 USD (plastic version), $129 USD (aluminum version)
- $85/$93 early bird price via Kickstarter
- Connections: 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm balanced output, USB-C (charging, data)
- Output power: 3.5mm SE (61mW), 4.4mm balanced (137mW)
- WiFi: No
- Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC)
- Music Streaming Support: No
- Supported File Formats and Sample Rates: DSD64/128/256 WAV:24bit/192K, FLAC:24bit/192K APE:24bit/96K, MP3/OGG/M4A/WMA
- Internal Storage: None
- Expandable Storage: Yes, MicroSD (up to 256GB)
- Battery: 1100mAh, up to 12 hours of playback
- Display: 2.0 inch IPS HD non-touch display, 296×240
- DAC/Amp Chipset: CS43198 DAC, RT6863 amp
- SOC Chipset: Rockchip RKNanoD
- RAM: Unknown
- OS: HIDIZS OS
- Dimensions: 68mm x 53mm x 17mm
- Weight: 56 grams (plastic), 80 grams (aluminum)
- Notes:
- No M3U playlist support
- No gapless playback support
- External USB-C DACs or USB-C headphones are not supported
- Controls don’t work when the screen is off
- No support for in-line controls
HiFi-Dawson Verdict
HiFi-Dawson Verdict
7
10
0
1
-
Design & Build Quality8/10 Very good
-
Sound8/10 Very good
-
Features/Accessories7/10 Good
-
Software Experience6/10 Normal
-
Value7/10 Good
7/10
Total Score
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with a clean, neutral presentation
- Impressively low noise floor, even with sensitive IEMs
- Compact, lightweight and genuinely portable design
- Fun retro styling with several plastic and aluminum finishes
- Excellent build quality, tactile buttons and precise volume wheel
- Bright, clear screen that is easy to read
- Includes both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs
- Enough power for most IEMs and portable headphones
- Useful USB DAC functionality
- Overall decent battery life
- Magnetic case makes it convenient to attach to a smartphone
- Good unboxing experience and generous included accessories
- Strong value at its Kickstarter pricing
- Bluetooth performance is reliable
Cons
- Physical controls and volume wheel do not work when the screen is off
- No M3U playlist support
- No gapless playback support
- No dark-mode or alternative interface themes
- Battery level is represented only by an icon, no option for a percentage
- Does not play nice with Apple AirPods
- Magnetic case installation is initially confusing and needs instructions
- Doesn't support large libraries or microSD cards bigger than 256GB
