THE BUDGET PERFORMANCE KING | IBASSO DX180 REVIEW

The audiophile community has its own unique definition of “entry-level” or “budget-friendly” compared to the general electronics industry. The newest “entry level” HiFi digital music player from iBasso, the DX180, costs $479 for the basic version and $529 for the enhanced version. However, at $529, it is significantly more expensive than other premium portable consumer audio devices. Does the ordinary music lover get their money’s worth out of what appears to be premium pricing for the DX180? Is it worth it for seasoned audiophiles searching for an affordable portable choice based on the quality and performance it delivers?

BUILD AND DESIGN

Like earlier iBasso models, the DX180 comes with a case, charging cord, and screen protectors, all contained in a typical retail box. The device itself may be more eye-catching than its predecessors, thanks to its more pronounced curves and sleeker form, but the packaging isn’t very noteworthy. The build quality is top-notch, with physical buttons that have a satisfying tactile click and a volume wheel that moves smoothly and provides the ideal amount of feedback. To increase the device’s lifespan, iBasso included a removable backplate that consumers can use to replace the batteries on their own.

The included accessories are perfect for the task. Even though I seldom use them, the five screen protectors are a generous amount. Over the past four years of utilizing iBasso players, we have found that the clear protective cover, like in earlier generations, has done an excellent job of shielding our DX160 and DX170 from drops and other types of accidental damage. We still have a million USB-A charging bricks, so the USB-A to USB-C cable is wonderful. It may appear outdated now that more brands are switching to USB-C-based chargers, but it will still work. To charge the gadget, you can use any USB-C cable, whether it’s from a regular wall wart or a fast charging brick with PD3.0 or Q3.0 support. Notably, the DX180 offers a genuine “all-day” battery life, with a maximum of 15.5 hours of listening time.

USING DX180

The DX180 is more than just a pretty face. Turning it on will reveal that it outperforms the majority of DAPs currently available, including certain top-tier iBasso players and flagships from other brands, in terms of speed, smoothness, and responsiveness. The addition of the Google Play Store and the Android 13 operating system are two more major advantages. If you’re familiar with audiophile DAPs, you know that it’s common to have to side-load apps or choose from a small selection. DX180 removes a major hurdle to entry by allowing you to download and use almost any Android app directly from the source.

The DX180 is more than just a pretty face. Turning it on will reveal that it outperforms the majority of DAPs currently available, including certain top-tier iBasso players and flagships from other brands, in terms of speed, smoothness, and responsiveness. The addition of the Google Play Store and the Android 13 operating system are two more major advantages. If you’re familiar with audiophile DAPs, you know that it’s common to have to side-load apps or choose from a small selection. DX180 removes a major hurdle to entry by allowing you to download and use almost any Android app directly from the source.

The default music player on the device is the integrated Mango Player software, which also has playback settings, equalization controls, and more. While certain choices are exclusive to Mango, others are accessible throughout the Android system as a whole. Some of these options are Bluetooth DAC mode, gain levels, the FIR filter, and DAC filters.

Using Bluetooth as an input in DAC mode or as an output to Bluetooth headphones or speakers both work well, although there are certain limitations with the 5.0 version. My main gripe with the device, in terms of both functionality and overall experience, is that it does not support Bluetooth 5.2 or 5.3. If Bluetooth wasn’t your main issue, then the fact that this is the most common criticism shows how great the gadget is.

SOUND

The DX180 continues the iBasso tradition of meticulous attention to detail that has made the brand famous. Its robust dynamic delivery and hint of natural warmth make it sound less clinical and sterile than the DX170. Not only that, the picture is realistic and offers an excellent sense of space; it is holographic and three-dimensional, though not very vast or expansive.

One of the most surprising features of the DX180, considering its pricing, is the way it presents minor details. The mids provide excellent fullness and body, while the treble is expertly done, capturing just the correct amount of glitter and sizzle without coming across as harsh. Without any additional amplification, the bass is powerful and alive, and its linear extension into the subbass provides ample depth and support for the low bass areas.

You can pair the DX180 with a variety of in-ear monitors and headphones that are easy to drive and fairly hard to drive. While the most sensitive in-ear monitors may pick up faint background noise or waterfall effects, the DX180 offers excellent performance with a wide variety of IEMs when set to low gain and a low noise floor. When I was listening, my favorite combinations included DITA Project M and Moondrop Dark Saber.

COMPARISON: IBASSO DX260, ASTELL&KERN SR35

The DX180 is an excellent choice for those upgrading from a very basic setup due to its affordability, sound quality, and ease of use. However, for more experienced audiophiles, the question of whether an entry-level product will satisfy their demanding audio requirements remains. We enlisted the help of the Astell&Kern SR35 and the DX260, the older sibling of the DX180, to find the answer to that question.

The DX180 is an excellent choice for those upgrading from a very basic setup due to its affordability, sound quality, and ease of use. However, for more experienced audiophiles, the question of whether an entry-level product will satisfy their demanding audio requirements remains. We enlisted the help of the Astell&Kern SR35 and the DX260, the older sibling of the DX180, to find the answer to that question.

There is a lot of structural and design shared between the DX180 and the DX260, but the DX180 gets the upper hand thanks to its somewhat updated Android version out of the box. On the user side, the DX260’s capacity to boot into Mango OS is its greatest strength; this operating system provides customers with a streamlined experience for listening to their music library, free of programs and unnecessary system load. The smaller screen and more eccentric style may put off some customers, but the SR35 has a little material advantage. This is especially true for those who like to listen to their own music library rather than using streaming programs. Even though the DX180 has a long-lasting battery, the SR35 manages to outlast it by a few hours.

Each of the three provides a unique musical experience. When it comes to clarity and imaging, the DX260 is right up there with the best of them. It’s also the king of details and resolution. With a sound that is essentially the same as the brand’s flagship SP3000 but without its crazy levels of detail and resolution, the SR35 offers one of the best tunings under $1,000 if you’re not looking for a pure reference sound.

DX180 provides medium ground. Although DX180 has a more detailed sound than SR35, the latter isn’t quite as melodious due to its less expressive bottom and more transparent treble. While the DX260 offers superior holographic imaging and fine detail, the DX180 has a more engaging sound signature.

THE BOTTOM LINE

When it comes to sound and performance, the DX180 has everything an audiophile could want in a budget-friendly mobile setup. I’ve heard of great-sounding DAPs that cost less than $500, but none have matched the usability and level of performance offered by the DX180. This makes it more appealing to those who are just starting out or who care more about the “cool gadget” factor than the sound quality. When you put it all together, the DX180 presents a very convincing argument for anyone looking to improve their portable audio experience.