REVIEW! iBasso DX160 - vs. Hiby & Walkman

[@yablokosmonaut571]

So thorough, and plenty of everyday usage details rather than repeating back specs. Too many reviews these days are just a shade more informed than an open-boxing, thanks for these comparisons! I think I'll find a H5s used.

[@CrisPi_030]

Been using the 2019 dx160 for more than a year and a half now. Even when it was brand new, battery life over wifi sucked. Listening over 3.5mm at low gain without being connected to BT or wifi or navigating, it does go up to 12 hours and up to 10 hours through 4.4mm. This still holds even now. Wifi and BT connection is very unstable too. It constantly disconnects over both. However, it does a great job as a music player, it has great power and screen too.

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, after the review and feedback that other people didn't have this level of battery drain, I factory reset the DX160, disabled WiFi, and let it sit 24 hours. No battery drain. A shame, I kinda need to leave WiFi on for the main reason I prefer Android players (auto syncing my library).

[@CrisPi_030]

@@SuperReview battery drain over wifi is really bad. It's a deal breaker for those who plan to use the dx160 while online. Another bad thing I noticed about this DAP is that there seems to be no more software update for it less than a year since its release. Still, I hope you enjoy your time with the device. While the differences are not very very audible, the dx160 does sound real good for its price.

[@eatmoreporkporky4342]

Battery life on the Walkman sucks when streaming.

[@theBtotheJ23]

In your opinion. Would this still be worth getting for good sound today if I would mainly be connecting IEMs to it for Flac files?

[@TonkyTronicus]

Also, to defend volume buttons over a knob; buttons are easier to hit in your pocket than adjusting a knob.

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, and knobs can be easier to accidentally change when putting into and out of a pocket. Good practical reasons for buttons. But.... knobs still cool.

[@markreif1]

After owning the Sony ZX300, and the NW-ZX2 , and recently the Hiby R8 and the Shanling M8 (sold all of them) - I've locked into the NWZX507 which for me blows every DAP I've owned out of the water.

[@SuperReview]

Can you elaborate?

[@markreif1]

The performance of the 507 - with OS, SQ, size & build quality being the factors that make it number one IMHO. I use my DAP entirely for Power Walking 4-6 hours per day. I've connected a Fossil 5th generation watch to it. And as a device that fits in my back pocket, while using Neutron as the software it offers advantages over all the others especially seeing that The Hiby and the Shanling are priced so much higher...

[@bobdecker166]

It's a great device. I bought mine a couple months ago after my NW-ZX2 died after five years from main circuit board failure. The sound quality is just as good, if not better, and has a balanced output, which the other one did not have. I'm glad to hear you like it so much.

[@SuperPEGASUS007]

I really liked the review. Now that the ibasso dx170 is on the market, a comparison between the two would be great, and perhaps include some fiio or astell& Kern.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Dx170 is twice as good.. The dx120 sounds better then this by miles, but it's only a player, no Bluetooth, no android, just great sound. Market is smaller for that.

[@jeffg6479]

Thanks for nice video. Between sony a55 and a105 are there significant differences ? Which one would you pick ? A lot of people complain about a105 battery life, have you seen improvement with latest firmware ? You seem to like a105 ?

[@SuperReview]

I compared them in this review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5WpkIx4qtiekMk I like my A105. Its battery life is not great, but same is true of most Android players. I still use A105 for the nice scroll performance and syncing my music library wirelessly.

[@donaldpudas3533]

I'm torn between the HiBy R5 Saber and the iBasso DX160. What say you?

[@SuperReview]

I prefer the Hiby.

[@MobileDecay]

I had a slanty shanty yesterday. Best time of my life! 🥰🥰🥰 Lol.

[@Blackopsfan90]

Between the Hiby R3 Pro Saber and Sony Walkman A105, which would you choose? Considering I can get the walkman at around $50 more.

[@SuperReview]

I haven't used the R3, but I like the Walkman.

[@Blackopsfan90]

@@SuperReview Curious tho, has the battery issue been fixed with the latest updates?

[@salopaindahouz]

Go for R3 pro saber bro

[@josuebbff]

Hi, Do you know a DAP with better battery life? Thanks

[@SuperReview]

Sony A45 / A55

[@DominikPhilipp1]

For android check out Shanling M3X

[@sabatuur8791]

Cowon Plenue D3

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, Plenue D series is quite good on battery.

[@suntanglory]

Shanling m3x, a week of standby time with WiFi off....

[@Raaj_new]

Ibasso dx 160 vs sony a55/a105 Which sounds better?

[@SuperReview]

1:02:20

[@Raaj_new]

@@SuperReview :)

[@sarasanabria8872]

Im looking for an mp3 player thats simple no Google Just music what would you recomend

[@SuperReview]

Sony A55

[@donaldpudas3533]

Another great review. Thanks. I'm looking to buy 1 of 2 devices and these re iews are good for me cause $400ish is a lot for me and I want to make sure what I'm getting.

[@rawgmn]

I am also more interested in non-Android players.

[@DeepishMoog]

Battery life is a huge deal for me. The sony a55 doesn't do wifi/apps/streaming but, because of that, probably won't slow as much with every subsequent Android update, as Android is prone to do. Where did you get the adhesive leather backing? Love that. Need that.

[@SuperReview]

There may be some with wireless charging, but none I've seen. My favorite so far is Hiby R5s.

[@DeepishMoog]

@@SuperReview You're zippy with reply. lol Thanks, just edited what I said. Where do I get Adhesive leather? Thinking, though it's more than I wanted to spend, the HiBy looks tops.

[@SuperReview]

Leather backing I had custom made by a creator on Etsy -- they normally sell leather backs for iPhones, but I was able to provide measurements that match my DAP and got custom cuts :D

[@donaldpudas3533]

Will my Samsung Earbuds 2 work with this Bluetooth wise?

[@carloscarrera2055]

I need an original cable, my computer does not recognize my ibasso, help!

[@Fotogoscar]

I have been checking your videos related to device players because streaming service fees continue to rise. Besides, I'm old school and still have a large collection of music stored on a hard drive. If I come across a song I like, I rather buy it and download. Having said that, what are your thoughts on owning a dedicated music player vs streaming? Is it cost effective on the long run?

[@SuperReview]

Depends on how may albums you typically listen to. Let's take a moderately-priced DAP at $200, vs. a $10 /mo Apple Music plan. Just on the cost of the player, it will be almost two years before the DAP costs less than the Apple Music plan. If you're also buying music during that two years, that pushes out the timeframe on break-even. You can get cheaper DAPs of course, but will sacrifice on user experience. Personally, I don't make the choice based on price, I just prefer to have a dedicated player with buttons, and I prefer to rip CDs vs. streaming.

[@Fotogoscar]

@@SuperReview Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[@lionelivan5109]

what is the best way to download music on walkman and what type of file

[@SuperReview]

Best way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joXIYnRqpbeie68&lc

[@lionelivan5109]

@@SuperReview and What site do you suggest to buy music file flac

[@SuperReview]

Bandcamp, HDTracks, or buy CDs and rip them.

[@andreaaaaaaa574]

In what minute is the sound comparison part?

[@SuperReview]

1:02:20

[@JC-qf5nc]

DX170- your thoughts please bro

[@SuperReview]

Never used it.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

​@@SuperReviewit's twice as good.. Dx 120 for pure sound quality is better then both.. Old AK flagship dac

[@mhfk5285]

Any chance you'll be reviewing A&K DAP?

[@SuperReview]

I'll be doing SE200 next.

[@bruno3833]

one thing ibasso does well is loading of album arts when youre scrolling. on sony and hiby you dont seee them, only when scrolling stops

[@dentReviews]

is it better than the other things?

[@SuperReview]

Small.

[@dentReviews]

@@SuperReview ok, thanks. but what about the battery adhesive under the case?

[@SuperReview]

43 at least.

[@dentReviews]

@@SuperReview man, i wouldn't think they'd have used so much. kind of disappointing honestly.

[@capitanlevi203]

Ibasso dx 170 or Fiio m11s?

[@SuperReview]

Didn't get a chance to use the DX170.

[@TonkyTronicus]

Literally just got my R5 Saber in today. Hopefully Hiby makes better batteries.

[@SuperReview]

Lemme know what you think of it, I've been happy with mine.

[@Poschmane]

The Power button on the top is really the thing which also i absolutley dont like. But soundwise i like the Basso very much. Especially when using the ballanced output with ibasso it01s iem.

[@lyndondivinagracia]

ibasso dx160 or shanling m3x?

[@SuperReview]

Hiby R5s

[@androerlangga8315]

@@SuperReview or hiby R5 Gen2? How?

[@RealZeboTroob]

Damn dude you’re not being picky that UI on the music app is absolutely HIDEOUS

[@SuperReview]

Bless.

[@akubaseng7]

can ibasso dx160 download apple music app?

[@SuperReview]

Yeah pretty sure I tried that, but performance isn't great.

[@barnsbarns420]

I am torn between M3X and DX160… I preferred clarity and detailed sound especially musical instruments…

[@SuperReview]

They're just players, clarity and detail will come from the music and your headphones.

[@cryer3160]

the battery problem would improve by switching off wifi and bluetooth.

[@darrencotter8206]

I've had 4 iBasso DAPs, three were DX200 and one DX160. Two of the DX200s failed with different faults, and thenDX160 lasted 5 days before it stopped allowing me to unlock the screen on bootup. That's a 75% failure rate. I don't care how good they sound, I will never buy another iBasso product.

[@SuperReview]

Bummer. Unit #4 is doing OK?

[@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI]

I had one & stupidly returned it then wasted the retailer's time to get the M11... Instantly regretted it. I found lowering the max resolution & DPI in dev options resulted in much better performance/battery life.

[@SuperReview]

So you ended up preferring the DX160 to the Fiio M11?

[@thebloc3195]

iv had my dx 160 for a while now and I love it. sure it has flaws but its a great dap imo. the battery IS the biggest flaw, but I bought a wireless charging receiver that I stuck to the back of it, makes it more practical.. (i have the black player and the receiver is black too so it's barely visible)

[@SuperReview]

Which wireless charging receiver did you get?

[@easycomplex]

Me too.... I highly suggest you check out the Poweramp ($5) app on the google store... makes this thing very enjoyable to play you're music. great hi res output and equalizer settings plus the visualizations and customizations with the app make this player dope... I thought this player was ehh with the mango default app and then i tried poweramp. game changer music app for this player.

[@OrganNLou]

The R5 delivers 1 WATT (amazing) but the 160 is much less

[@SuperReview]

TBH even players that output just 300mW @ 32 ohms seem to be fine for me.

[@halobayd9612]

@@SuperReview Do you know how many mw the dx 160 gives per channel?

[@SuperReview]

@@halobayd9612 No, I'd have to Google it.

[@DheoPratama]

Imagine put sim card in it, it will all in one device for me

[@SuperReview]

I think Hiby has a device (R8 maybe?) that lets you do that.

[@cryer3160]

Seeing how you are going to review daps now, don't ever recommend Fiio M11 for an android DAP. Had my first one, there were dead pixels, local retailer let me exchange it. The exchanged unit also has dead pixels. They let me exchange one more time. Still having dead pixels. Their display unit has dead pixels. Now don't anyone have any ideas as the Fiio Rep said to me online: "It is an audio player, does the audio have problem? No?" We are paying smartphone prices for these pieces of tech and if you got dead pixels for your smartphone you sure as hell want it fixed right? Apparently it cannot get into the THICK skulls of the people at Fiio. They are probably using rejected smartphone panels that did not pass QC from some other manufacturer hence all the problems with the screen.

[@SuperReview]

Thanks for the report on your experience. First time I've heard about that problem, though. Is it obvious, or a thing you look out for specifically?

[@cryer3160]

@@SuperReview I just saw one miscoloured speck on the black background of the fiio app and could no longer unsee it.

[@frazy1984]

@@cryer3160 Fiio CC don't accept their faults and give unhelpful way to fix the problem. I am having x5lll, what a worthless DAP it is, hangs frequently, audio cuts if used through uapp app etc. Planning for hiby r6 2020, any clues about buying it or not. Thanks

[@andrescarrera6955]

for now, an lg phone would be cheaper and faster

[@SuperReview]

But no buttons or knob.

[@roeslan1969]

"I don't know why you would wanna use the MANGO OS?" @ 18:51 What a stupid question to ask! Obviously people may want to use the Parametric EQ - do you know what that is?!

[@SuperReview]

Here is your "jump to conclusions" mat, free gift.

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. Great reference to a dap vs phone & dongle. I think you have killed any change of someone wanting to buy that iBasso DX160. I have a suggestion ( with owners approval ) A video of you replacing (attempting to replace) the battery. I know your a little handy, you did a video for a mod on the 58x :) If they can do it with a phone. Looking forward to it.

[@SuperReview]

Interesting suggestion, don't think it'll happen though. This thing's built like a smartphone, not made for easy swaps.

[@deadline7610]

@@SuperReview To bad since you have a dap that's about to become a brick in 6 months if that :) That's when you try something like this. IMO You have a lot of viewers & the discord to help.