**Reasons to Buy**
Many people wonder what the appeal of a small portable music player is. In my opinion, the comfortable user experience, sound quality, and battery life are all very important factors to consider. Of course, the audio quality and driving capability are also more than sufficient to exceed expectations. A decade ago, the design of such players was not as advanced as today’s Class D amplifiers, and sound quality and power were often limited in choice.
Now that MP3 players have faded into the past, many low-cost products are constrained by budget limitations and don’t offer an exceptional listening experience. However, there are still cost-effective options available. For example, I once considered buying the older model of the Rainbow C3 from Jingdong, which was priced around 169 yuan.
Despite the shortcomings of the MINI USB port, the sound remains smooth and fluid. The digital volume control is also quite acceptable for its age. It's a good choice for Huawei, Xiaomi, or OPPO users, but VIVO or Meizu users might want to save their money.
I also really like the HIDIZS AP60, even though it's an older model. The touch interface isn't too different from the second generation, and at 699 yuan, it offers solid value compared to similar domestic and international products. The official website doesn't provide much detail on the differences between the first and second generations, and the sound is quite similar. That said, the first-generation touch models are no longer available. The second generation features physical buttons, which reduce the chances of accidental touches—making it worth considering.
**Appearance Gallery**
The old touch models had a flat design, while the newer ones have printed elements on the bottom panel. According to some mobile phone KOLs, I feel the old AP60 has a certain charm.
For instance, comparing the image above with the one below shows how the screen area perceives different lighting conditions. The touch keys hidden before booting can be controlled within the interface area. The size of the device fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, which is one of the most satisfying aspects.
Below is the AP60's size and specifications. You can refer to the second generation since this review focuses more on that version, and the sound and performance are almost identical. One thing to note is that this unit does not have built-in storage—it relies entirely on an external TF card!
The official product images now show physical buttons in the front operation area, which feels more tactile than the previous flat design. Although I think the removal of the touch interface slightly reduces the aesthetic appeal, it was a necessary trade-off to avoid issues with small touch misoperations.
The back remains largely unchanged across both generations. While the overall design hasn’t changed much, the edges feel very nice, and there’s no metal body "water chestnut" feel.
The round button on the side acts as a switch. The up and down buttons have a slight difference in feel, making blind operation easier. The volume adjustment level is 80, and you can set a limit to protect your hearing.
The bottom has a bit of a "Sawfajin Chrysanthemum" style, with a 3.5mm jack that has a CD-like texture, giving a strong sense of quality and output power.
In fact, the AP60’s architecture uses Japan’s AKM 4452 DAC combined with Maxim MAX97220A. While this configuration isn’t overly flashy, I’ll explain later why it offers excellent value for money.
**Listening Test**
I recently listened to the second-generation AP60 at the Guangzhou Headphone Show and didn’t notice any significant differences. I even decided to go back to the older version again, because this machine isn’t being promoted much these days. If the price of the C3 drops to something like cabbage one day, it could serve as a reference for others.
This player is actually more expensive than some sofa products. Its sound signature is very positive, even lighter than the D50, and the linearity is better than the D50. It’s an entry-level machine capable of delivering high-end sound quality, and although my evaluation might be a bit exaggerated, it’s definitely a hidden gem.
**Bluetooth DAC Support**
The second generation added APTX support, but even the older versions can be upgraded to the latest 1.07BETA firmware. I found that the first-generation units couldn’t identify APTX using a Green Alliance Bluetooth adapter. Is it necessary to install other firmware? No, they still can’t recognize it. However, when the XPLAY6 phone outputs Bluetooth to this player in Bluetooth DAC mode, the sound quality is still very good and reaches APTX levels. The Bluetooth DAC mode is nearly noise-free and barely noticeable. The player also supports USB DAC, so you can use a laptop or smartphone as an OTG sound card.
**Drive Power**
This player supports high and low gain settings, making it easy to drive both small earphones and larger portable headphones. Even though the output current isn’t extremely high, the overall sound path is well-balanced, giving the impression that it drives and sizes headphones very well. Compared to many small players today, its drive power is considered high-end.
**Three-Frequency Balance**
The soundstage of this player is medium-sized, with a slight emphasis on the mid-range. While the soundstage isn’t very wide, it doesn’t feel cramped. The bass atmosphere is well-defined, and when listening to high-quality headphones, the overtones are flexible and powerful. Unlike many low-cost players, the bass here isn’t rigid or overly soft.
The mid-range density is impressive, especially with tracks from Yingge 12 by Guan Shanyue and Liu Guijuan. The spatial relationship between the recording and the voice is very harmonious. You can even say that the positioning of the sound field and vocal placement is very accurate. I tested this with my own Rui Sheng in-ear monitors, and I believe only a few high-end earphones on the market can match this level of clarity. However, the AP60 has great potential in mid-range tuning.
The high-frequency response of the AP60 isn’t very bright, but the transition details are rich and ideal. Many low-cost players still struggle with high-frequency harmonics, even with high-quality recordings. The dynamic range interpretation of the AP60 is well done, but it’s not recommended for use with Duckey’s dynamic circle or loop iron links. Instead, I’d recommend Sennheiser IE60 or other older models. You could also try CKR100, though some factory goods may be out of stock.
Although the UHF performance isn’t top-tier, the relationship between high-frequency harmonics and spatial processing is smooth, detailed, and very satisfying. This is truly commendable. The AKM chip itself is not bad, but pairing it with the MAX97220A to this level is impressive. Even VIVO has invested heavily in this chip, as it's one of the most widely used in the industry.
**Summary**
The AP60 was released before Shan Ling started producing small players, but its screen size was slightly reduced. Despite that, the size is still acceptable. The overall operation and functionality are very strong, but when it first launched, Shan Ling relied on crowdfunding to generate buzz, and the wave of personnel changes before its release turned it into a promotional hype. As a result, few people wrote about or truly understood this machine.
However, since the second-generation models are still available, I’ve given the older version a few words of praise. If you're looking for a compact, powerful, and sonically positive player, I strongly anticipate a wave of success. I can even say that the AP60 surpasses its elder brother, the AP100, but I find the new AP200 less surprising than the AP60. The main reason is that HIDIZS inadvertently pushed the small player to a new level of quality. I think of it as an unpopular German cavalry—while the analytical quality may be overhyped, the listening experience is truly excellent.
The AP60 starts at a low price but delivers solid quality, offering an excellent value-for-money ratio even at its original price. Unfortunately, the ID design was somewhat untimely, but I don’t think that should hurt its reputation. If it ever goes on clearance, I wouldn’t be surprised. This review is not entirely neutral, as I may face backlash from manufacturers after the clearance. But regardless, I believe it's time to go to some audition sessions to find out for yourself.
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