iBasso DX180 Mid Priced but ULTRA Performance & SOUND HD 1080p

[@G00dH0uR83]

LOVE this DAP - made me sell my higher end player as the sound differences were extremely negligible. Highly highly recommended.

[@quincytanable]

just curious, which was the player that you have sold?

[@lynnlittle8671]

Great review, kinda long, but that turned out to a very good thing. As I was watching our review, contemplating buying it for $529 directly from iBasso (nobody else had it in stock), Bloom Audio put it on sale for $425. Needless to say, I ordered one immediately!

[@bojohnson206]

Fantastic review. Really appreciate the depth you went into on all aspects of the 180. Between this and your posts on head-fi I've pulled the trigger on this with confidence. Thanks!

[@tonedeafmonk]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you 😊

[@Coldkind]

@ToneDeafMonk. Hi! Could you kindly compare with fiio m23?

[@Karlrainer]

Uograded from a shanling m2x... Wow what a difference. Stuck uapp player on.. Just needs a decent case. Good battery life. Lovely screen.

[@tonedeafmonk]

Def need a nice case don't think one will be available from iBasso

[@oxyoxi3213]

What about the comparison with the Hiby R4 ??? There is a brief one near the end in the Conclusion section!

[@tonedeafmonk]

T4 is a fantastic entry level DAP best bang for the $ , The 180 is where you get intro real performance, build quality and sound

[@iScorpio1971]

Well, here we go. I've been looking for a DAP for quite some time. This one checks all the boxes. So, Happy Father's Day! Appears that it won't disappoint. Cirrus Logic has taken over AKM and ESS.

[@tonedeafmonk]

It's the sum of the whole and iBasso pulled off a banger with this one even people with thier DX320 are saying this is 90% of that at a fraction of the cost!

[@joshuaolaekeji1254]

Been loving mine thanks for the recommendation!

[@PeaceHappiness-j7b]

Thank you another good review! How do you like compared w Hiby R4? Sound and powerwise? Thank you Monk.

[@tonedeafmonk]

Hiby sounds great can't be beat for the price. The FX180 tho is a upgrade in terms of resolution, details and stage, build quality, screen. Is it worth double yeah I think it is.

[@StevenDake]

Nice thorough review. I am going to check your other reviews. Would be awesome if you would review the Sony DAPs.

[@tonedeafmonk]

I had some cheaper ones but haven't bought any of thier better players. Thanks for watching

[@MrGutterbunny]

Another great comprehensive review. I'm still loving the Shanling ME600 iem's you recommended, they sound fantastic even directly from my Sony Experia headphone jack with it's tiny power output. I haven't ever owned or even used a DAP but £440 is quite affordable when you start looking at what's out there. If the dx180 makes the Me600 sound significantly better than they do via the Sony Phone I'm in for a serious Eargasm!

[@tonedeafmonk]

Oh yeah it will be a game changing for you if you pick up the DX180

[@thedar7164]

Thank you Thank you, I could not for life of me figure how to navigate in the Mango player, talk about unintuitive UI ... ok so its that little gray bar .. wow... I love the DX 180 I love the sound but need to work on that interface.

[@Karlrainer]

Install a different player. Usb audio player pro..

[@jancux4711]

you have to swipe from the bottom right corner to the middle and do the same for the bottom left corner. Then the respective page menu appears. Yes, it is a bit difficult to understand at first.

[@tonedeafmonk]

I don't use the Mango Player much.

[@False_Star]

@Tone Deaf Monk or Anyone else, will this drive the Fatfreq GM?? If not any other idea of what DAP will? Thanks to whoever answers, if anyone does!

[@tonedeafmonk]

Yes it can it got enough juice , If you want to tightened up the bass this would be a good choice but if you like you big boom then ONIX XM5 1070mW of juice

[@nekromantik2009]

do you think the dx180 or even dx170 better if you have IEM with 14 ohm impedance?

[@filipescalco3590]

Hi !! Great video ! I would like to know if the Ibasso dx180 can play Apple Music lossless and hi-res? Regards

[@ThreeEyedJuan]

Happy with my DX180. Easy trigger pull. Curious how the volume wheel feels? Mine feels loose but turning feels creaky though there's no actual creaky sound. Want to make sure before I reach out to the seller.

[@tonedeafmonk]

Mine is easy to turn but feels solid.

[@ThreeEyedJuan]

@@tonedeafmonk solid like clicky?

[@tonedeafmonk]

@@ThreeEyedJuan clicky not loose or wobbly

[@Shimrra_Jamaane]

Great review. How well do the third party streaming apps work on this? Is the android 13 software bloated or buggy and can you clear it of everything you don't want and have this as close to a bare bones player as possible?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Tidal for me flawless, and I use the Tidal integration within the Hiby App and love it. One step ship, no lag or hesitation

[@Shimrra_Jamaane]

@@tonedeafmonk you use the Hiby app on an iBasso player?

[@dave91863]

Excellent review, i have the M6 ultra but would like a dap that provides more clarity and neutrality i think the 180 will provide that special sauce

[@tonedeafmonk]

Yeah It going to make me sell my Kann Max it's that clean

[@dave91863]

@@tonedeafmonk really ? Wow im deffinately buying the 180 now

[@thedar7164]

@@tonedeafmonk dang... wow.. that is some serious high praise.

[@GoldenRvr]

Do you or have you done an apples to apples audio comparison between dx180 v hiby r6lll?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Just recieved a new R6iii but have not done any a/b

[@BBNE4215]

Could you help me choosing between Onix Overture XM5 and Ibasso DX170 considering only sound?

[@tonedeafmonk]

XM5 is a bit V shape colored that's whi I like it and the iBasso is more neutral uncolored. The iBasso is more of a all-rounder but to me the ONIX sounds more musical. Something also to keep in mind is the ONIX has a much higher output impedance so that could effect the colorization of some gear as well.

[@yogiwp_]

DAPs don't really fit my use case, so I either use dongle or transportable DAC/amp. But sound quality wise I'm curious: how the DX180 (or 260) compares against DAC/amps like the XD05 Pro or iBasso D16?

[@tonedeafmonk]

New dongle enroute with 4x CS43131 from iBasso DC07 Pro with a big ass volume wheel I have a sneaking suspicion could be a mini DX180

[@farukuruc]

I need a DAP with Global-System Wide PEQ. Hiby R4 has it but DX180 is better than Hiby R4. What do you recommend dude?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Hiby is it for system wide PEQ , That bieng said I use the Hiby player on my DX180

[@agoniz9271]

Hi Nice review 🙏 Do you think it is better than FiiO M11 Plus ESS, more musical, warmer ?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Haven't tried that one sorry 😐

[@thanrl-yd9ub]

Hi, can the DX180 output 3.5mm coax spdif and 4.4mm analog simultaneously? When you turn on coax output in the settings, can you still hear music from the 4.4mm? Thank you!

[@MohammedMbarak-w6t]

Great review. But how it compares to m5 ultra in resolution and details and soundstage?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Both are comparable with those metrics bit different sound signature, Shanling is warmer and thicker in the bass. iBasso more neutral and balanced. Shanling is certainly more powerful power wise.

[@MohammedMbarak-w6t]

@tonedeafmonk so they both have same resolution , detail and soundstage but differents in presentation of the sound and ofc shanling more power full . That's great then having more power , same resolution and detailed and almost same price is seems shanling the way to go . Thank u

[@roberta.6579]

Between this one and shanling m5 ultra which do you prefer sound wise?

[@tonedeafmonk]

The iBasso because it will works with anything the M5U is too warm for already thick Gear

[@hellyeah_tv]

I'm really interested in this DX180. but! already exists M11S which have almost same power, 660 instead of 665 processor and 3/32 Gb. kinda same but costs less. I really struggle in this comparison. do you have any thoughts?

[@tonedeafmonk]

I heard the M11S was warmer sounding? The DX180 is very uncolored

[@hellyeah_tv]

@@tonedeafmonk I've listened both few days ago just less then hour. they really really similar. or difference negligible for me personally. that's why hard to choose.

[@MARYOLIONHEART]

Until now i was 100% to buy the Hiby R4, i love that, but when i found out this DX180 can replace the battery, i guess this is the one i would choose in the end, as i am not a rich person and i wish to have this for many years from now, and to not throw to garbage when battery dies. What do you think, R4 or this Dx180?

[@tonedeafmonk]

DX180 for sure over the R4 they don't compete on the same level in Sound Quality or features IMO

[@MARYOLIONHEART]

@@tonedeafmonk Thank you very much, for advice. The only thing for DX180, i wished to have a lock button like R4, to avoid accidental opening, scrolling, etc...

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Thank you for the review❗️🔆So streaming no problem and I can use my phone as a Wi-Fi hot spot❓🙋‍♂️

[@tonedeafmonk]

No problem 👍 Yes you can

[@ronenbuium7699]

VS XDUOO XD05 PRO & Sparkos SS3602 - Are they in the same tier? (Sound wise) If yes, which one is better and why? Thanks 🙏

[@tonedeafmonk]

I think they compare favorably maybe a bit more sparkle up top on the iBasso

[@jesuseverardojimenezrivera9993]

Any overhear that sounds like it was designed to be used with the dx180?

[@ThreeEyedJuan]

when using a 3rd party player (like PowerAmp) there's a bit of lag when using the 3 Hardware media buttons. anyone else got this experience?

[@nanduss5654]

Thanks for the Review, Which all iems you tried? Would you please suggest a few iems with warm signatures to be paired with dx180.Thanks.

[@tonedeafmonk]

XENNS MANGIRD UP, DUNU Falcon Ultra, DUNU DaVinci Shanling ME600, NiceHCK Himalaya are a few of my faves that would fall into that category

[@nanduss5654]

@@tonedeafmonk Thanks you

[@tcolemanii1971]

@@nanduss5654 I still have Mangird Tea 2 and Dune Vulkan. They should sound good with this DAP tooo

[@jamesbush2720]

This looks like a GREAT device. I alrady have a Chord Mojo2 That I comnect to my Android phone. -Do you think this will out perform my Mojo2/Android comb for SQ??

[@tonedeafmonk]

Nope on par .maybe and more convenient

[@jamesbush2720]

@@tonedeafmonk Thank your sir!! Thanks for the great HONEST feedback!!!

[@guillermokunzel5171]

Hi Monje, como no le colocaron Bluetooth 5.3 o 5.4 y Aptx Lossless, Casi, casi perfecto ...

[@tonedeafmonk]

True , I think it's one of the best neutral sounding daps on the market!

[@renzoquevedo8909]

The screen and hardware of this model looks definitely superior compared to the Hiby R4. Now just focusing in the “sound quality”, how close is the R4 in comparison with the DX180? Thanks, great review!

[@tonedeafmonk]

I thought the DX180 competes with my $1200 Kann Max. The R4 can't be beat for $250 bit can't compete on overall SQ in comparison the R4 sounds good the DX180 sounds expensive

[@MichaelBruceTaos]

Just to mention, Power amp has been able to bypass androids audio system for more than 10 years, but it requires a supported phone.

[@stfn112]

Enjoyed the review. I had it on order already, but excited to receive mine. Hope they update Mango Player cause it does look nice, but functionality is key. I don't know what I will use instead yet. Coming from my first DAP which is a M300, I am hoping it is a nice upgrade. I hope to never buy another because of the ability to swap the battery.

[@tonedeafmonk]

Forget Mango go , Shanlings EDICT Player or Hiby Music

[@nmatheis]

Nice review. I used to review a lot of DAPs back in the days the the first Cayin, Fiio, Hiby, iBasso, and Shanling DAPs. They've come a long ways since then! My question is twofold... 1. Can you store offline Tidal songs in the mSD card? 2. Can you download an enormous amount of offline Tidal songs, say 100Gb or more, and have Tidal still function properly? Asking because I've had some issue with Tidal + mSD storage in the past and have also had issues with Tidal totally stalling out until reset with very large offline storage.

[@tonedeafmonk]

Good question , yes to the downloads but I will try with the large download and hopefully report back FB is better to respond to. ToneDeafMonk

[@andy.w]

Yes, I'm tired dangling the dongle around. It feels unsafe and inappropriate. Thank you so much for the complete review. The HiRes sticker really sold me out, just ordered the blue one. Seriously, your brief conclusion vs Hiby R4 really made up my mind 🙏

[@tonedeafmonk]

The R4 is fantastic but in comparison feels cheap the buttons the screen show the compromises Hiby had to make to get the price down. They didn't compromise on the SQ so there that but the DX180 is just solid all round and feels premium 👌 Thanks for watching and sharing 😀

[@shaunbrady15]

For sound, do you like this better than Shanling m6 ultra?

[@tonedeafmonk]

Yes I do thebM6U didn't wow me this one did.

[@trubadyr99]

Why no DAC for me? Simple: absence of cellular data, therefore no streaming on the go. Enough said.

[@Haydos]

Use a phone

[@trubadyr99]

@@Haydos I do + USB dongle DAC.

[@Haydos]

@@trubadyr99 yep

[@LorenzoFrausto]

Just download the playlist or whole library to the dap 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Rex88282]

​@@trubadyr99 ofcourse is the way to go, use dongles as they sound also way better.

[@anthonyclark4569]

Torn between this and the Onix XM5!

[@tonedeafmonk]

MX5 is bass boosted and colored in a Lovley way. The DX180 is more neutral with a brighter top end. Depends on your preference and gear. For me I pick up the XM5 more at home and take the DX180 mobile.

[@ANiCKiN]

Man, you sound much like Andy from The Office 🤣

[@Pleiades55]

I was looking for a review of the "SHANLING ONIX Overture XM5' & I came across both your reviews of the basso DX180 & also the Shanling M5 Ultra. Still undecided, but great reviews. I have a Fiio M11 Pro, that I find laggy and difficult to navigate at times & also an basso DX 170 that always goes flat battery on me when not in use, even when plugged into USB. I turn it off when i am not using & have battery management set to pause when headphone disconnected. Then when I pick it up to use, the battery is completely flat. The lag and the battery issues are my driving force to upgrade! Love your work! 👍

[@tonedeafmonk]

Thanks so much my XM5 is en route

[@bokomokoksarimanoktiktilaokkok]

1080p but no widevine certification.😢

[@tcolemanii1971]

Apple Music?

[@Stoyakoff2024]

Спасибо. В очереди на покупку.

[@scottpeterson2840]

Just bought one second hand! Looking forward to hearing it!

[@tonedeafmonk]

Oh sweet that was fast someone gave one up! Your luck thier loss!

[@scottpeterson2840]

@@tonedeafmonk yes and it was the green minty one too 😉

[@paulgal]

Is it good?

[@dendenovich8366]

vs m23

[@guillermokunzel5171]

Pensar que hace unos cuantos años atrás, LG en sus moviles tope de gama incluían un Quad-Dac 😅

[@Shady88-ho2bt]

You almost sound moved lmao

[@MARYOLIONHEART]

But where we find the battery to buy for replace this ?

[@tonedeafmonk]

I bought my DX90 batteries from AliExpress

[@MARYOLIONHEART]

@@tonedeafmonk can you give me a link, please? Thanks in advance.