Master Marslander describes the Hidizs AP30 Music Boy’s sound as clean and natural. In his testing, the player provided sufficient output for his IEMs and drove a 300-ohm Sennheiser HD600 to a comfortable listening level with volume headroom remaining.
His video looks more closely at the AP30’s practical output capability, headphone pairing, wired connections, and USB DAC mode.
A Retro-Inspired Music Player with Physical Controls
One of the first things Master Marslander highlights is the AP30 Music Boy’s retro handheld-inspired design.
The control layout includes a directional pad, start/select-style controls, A and B buttons, and a clickable multifunction volume control. Instead of relying on a touchscreen, the AP30 uses physical controls for menu navigation, music playback, and volume adjustment.
Master Marslander also discusses the player’s compact size. At slightly more than 68 × 53 mm, the AP30 is designed to fit easily into a pocket.
Playback Features and Audio Connections
The video walks through a range of playback and connectivity features available on the AP30 Music Boy, including:
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB-C charging
- microSD card support up to 256GB
- DSD playback up to DSD256
- PCM playback up to 24-bit/192kHz
- 3.5mm single-ended output
- 4.4mm balanced output
- High- and low-gain settings
- Six preset EQ options
- Custom EQ settings
- USB DAC mode
Master Marslander also shows some of the AP30’s non-audio functions, including ebook support and a built-in falling-block puzzle game.
According to the specifications presented in the video, the 3.5mm output provides up to 61mW per channel, while the 4.4mm balanced output provides up to 137mW per channel.
Testing the AP30 with IEMs and the Sennheiser HD600
Master Marslander says that Hidizs recommends pairing the AP30 with headphones rated at up to approximately 100 ohms.
To explore its output capability further, he connects his 300-ohm Sennheiser HD600. During this test, he reports reaching a comfortable listening level with some volume headroom remaining.
He also makes clear that the AP30 is not intended to replace a desktop headphone amplifier. The HD600 demonstration reflects his experience with that particular headphone and test setup rather than a guarantee of identical performance with every high-impedance headphone.
With the IEMs used in the video, Master Marslander reports that the AP30 provided sufficient output without difficulty.
Using the AP30 as a USB DAC
The video also demonstrates how the AP30 can be connected to a phone and used as a USB DAC.
Master Marslander explains that USB audio decoding must be selected on the AP30 shortly after the connection is made. He notes that this part of the setup may not be immediately obvious because the selection screen remains available for only a short time.
Once the connection is established, the phone controls the playback volume rather than the AP30’s own volume control.
The demonstration also shows the AP30 attached to a phone using a MagSafe-style setup. This shows how the reviewer used the player during his test, but it does not establish which attachment accessories are included with the AP30. Package contents should be confirmed through the official product or bundle information.
Sound Impressions
In his listening impressions, Master Marslander describes the AP30’s presentation as clean, natural, and solid-state in character.
Under the settings used in his test, he reports no obvious coloration, added warmth, or exaggerated emphasis. The AP30 also provides EQ settings and digital filters for listeners who want to adjust the presentation.
These observations reflect Master Marslander’s experience with the earphones, headphones, settings, and music used in his video.
Battery Life and Charging
According to Master Marslander, the AP30 provides approximately 10 to 12 hours of active playback. When used mainly with Bluetooth, he places the battery life at approximately eight hours.
He also states that a full recharge takes approximately one hour.
Watch the Full Video Review
In the full video, Master Marslander demonstrates the Hidizs AP30 Music Boy’s physical controls, USB DAC setup, audio connections, and headphone pairing while sharing additional observations from his time with the player.
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