HIBY R3 II: Ultra Portability
“Music is like a dream. One that I cannot hear.”
~~ Ludwig Van Beethoven, German pianist and composer during Classical period.
HiBy is an audio company that is well-renowned among audio enthusiasts around the globe for the quality of their products as they release some of the best DAPs in the market. They released recently a midrange one which was HIBY R6 PRO II and that product truly blurred the lines of between midrange and TOTL flagship as that DAP performs like a flagship albeit it offers less power output compare to its competitors when it comes to amplification capability to drive some of the power-demanding planar cans.
And now what I have here is HiBy's latest entry-level DAP, The HiBy R3 II. This device is a successor model of both R3 Pro Saber 2022 and R3 Pro Saber regular but this set has some improvement and substantial upgraded features that differentiate itself from its predecessors.
The HiBy R3 II has a small form factor that makes it a very portable device that is pocket-friendly that you can carry it anywhere to listen to hi-fi quality music. With a 3.2 inches touch screen LCD display in an aluminium alloy frame that was reinforced with toughened, scratch-resistant glass in both front and back. At the left panel, there is a micro-SD slot to expand your memory capacity to store more audio tracks. And in the right panel, there's a RGB LED indicator for status and sample rate indicator, volume knob which gives us a precise and granular volume control, button keys for play/pause and forward/back commands which are quite tactile to push.
At the bottom part, the output interfaces of different types are located there, and these are 4.4mm balanced output, USB type-C port and 3.5mm output jack. The 4.4mm balanced became more standardised as it replaced the less reliable 2.5mm balanced and it was rated at 3.5 Vrms that it can deliver a maximum output up to 380mW at 32 ohms which is quite sufficient to power up those power hungry earphones and probably, some cans. Its 3.5mm single ended output at 1.9 Vrms that can reach a maximum output at 112 mW on a 32 ohms load. As for its type-C port, it support USB2.0 and USB 3.1 protocol that can support a bandwidth up to 10 Gbps, and aside from being a charging port for replenishing battery power, it can be used as a USB DAC/amp dongle for your computer and even mobile device as it can decode up to 32-bit/384Khz PCM and up to DSD256. You can even use a dongle to bypass the built-in DAC of this device.
On its internals, it equips a dual ESS DAC, the ES9219P model which is one of the reliable mobile DACs in the market due to its performance for delivering high power output, low noise and pristine audio quality with low power consumption. Another component that was implemented here dual crystal oscillators for accurate clocking for variable sample rates, lessens any chances of jittering and reduces phase noise to have a better accuracy and delivers a more analogue sound. On its wireless features, it has a wi-fi module that is rated at 2.4G for seamless connectivity via Wi-Fi hotspots for streaming music or OTA updates for this device and a two-way 5.1 bluetooth version that which improves its connection while reducing latency on other wireless devices and also it can be used as a bluetooth receiver. It supports some basic and advanced bluetooth codecs like SBC, AAC, aptX (transmission only), UAT and LDAC. This device furnishes an Ingenix X1000E processor which has lower power consumption and can do basic computation and processing operation and its CPU speed was rated up to 1.0 GHz and it also fitted out with a 2000mAh battery that can give up to 15 hours of playback time.
On its 3.2 inches LCD with a screen resolution of 380 * 480, the R3 II gives a decent crisp and fairly detailed visual interface. It has a Hiby OS based on a Linux system as its software that can do some decent task commands via touch navigation or swipe gesture on its screen. At the home UI, it has minimalist tile presentation on its built-in application like Music, Stream media, Wireless, Book (E-book reader), System and About. If you do right drag gesture, you will access the music UI with album pic of an audio track that was presently playing and basic control functionality, and in pull down gesture, there we can access shortcut menu the software volume level, some wireless connectivity, output mode and gain mode (it will activate automatically if there is an aux connection on its output interfaces) and playing command options.
Here are the following subcategory menus under each application:
Music
● All
● Files
● Albums
● Artists
● Genres
● Album Artist
Stream media
● Tidal
● Qobuz
Wireless
● Bluetooth
● Wi-Fi
● Hiby Link
● Import Music via Wi-Fi
● DLNA
● AirPlay
Books
● Scanning
● Books
● Favorites
● Files
● Recently readed
System
● Language
● Brightness
● Backlight time
● Theme color
● Font size
● USB working mode
● USB device mode
● USB current limited
● USB DAC feedback
● Time setting
● Idle timer
● Sleep timer
● Battery percentage display
● Standby
● In-line remote
● LED indicator
● Double tap to wake up
● Button operation when screen off
● Shortcut menu
● Screensaver setting
● Screen rotation
● Restore factory settings
● Firmware update
● Certification information
Since this is a HiBy device, it has its vaunted proprietary MSEB which is their advanced parametric equaliser that will be tailored and adjusted for our specific tonal preference and perceived sound field adjustments for our listening enjoyment. And also, aside from MSEB it also has a basic EQ too in which it offers more simplified adjustment on specific frequency range.
The product packaging of HiBy R3 II is quite minimalist but it offers a lot of inclusion, here are some of the following contents inside.
● HiBY R3 II DAP
● USB-C cable
● Clear plastic case
● Screen protectors
● Warranty card
● User manual
Regarding its sonic profile, HiBy R3 II has balanced-neutral tuning as if all parts of the frequencies are evenly presented in a sonic spectrum.
The following IEMs that will be used for testing:
● HiBY Yvain
● HiBY Crystal 6 Mk.II
● LETSHUOER EJ07M
● LETSHUOER EJ09
LOWS/BASS:
It delivers a sufficient punch and good sub-bass presence on the set which sounds quite clean and well-segregated. On the sub-bass part, there's a perceivable rumbling and reverberations coming from instruments such as low tone bass guitars, synthesisers, drum machines and other sub-bass focus instruments.
Mid-bass will have an ample texture and volume on the note weight on instruments and a few male vocal types, particular bass- baritone vocals.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange part is quite well-presented across all over its frequency range as this device is able to project forward vocals while maintaining a neutral, transparent, clean and reasonable texture, neither too lean nor an exaggerated beefy one. Male vocals somewhat seem to have enough warmth and depth on its note weight just to sound more organic and engaging, while female vocals have sufficient vividness and energy on their voices to sound ethereal and sweet.
Instruments seem to sound natural as each specific instrument's timbre appears to sound correct, perhaps quite clean and balanced tone. Strings have vibrant and reasonable brightness on guitars and violins, percussive instrument have resonant, a tad warm and rich especially on snares, tom-toms, field drums and kettledrums, brasses have brassy and full sound on trumpets, horns and trombones and last but not the least, the woodwind instruments like piccolos, concert flutes and clarinets have sufficient airiness and graceful sound on them.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble response of this device projects a well-balanced, smooth and non-offensive tuning on this part of the frequency range. The upper-mids appears to be rounded as it tames down some accentuated peaks to lessen any chances of sibilance and harshness which make it more pleasant to listen especially for treble sensitive folk. It has sufficient crispness and definition for instruments’ attacks and vocal emphasis.
Brilliance part of the treble region seems to have a decent airy extension with adequate sparkle for some treble clef-focused instruments.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
Its overall technical capabilities appear to be very competent for an entry-level DAP. The sound/speaker stage dimension can project a quite spacious sound field with good stereo imaging as it is able to pan out good separation of instruments and vocals, then a well-delineated layering aptness on this device.
It is also quite resolving on both macro-dynamics and micro-detail retrieval capable of delivering a good note texture and note ends on the macro-dynamics while a fairly sharp detail definition on micro-detail retrieval as it extracts some nuances and subtleties of information from an audio track.
As I conclude my assessment of this product, It seems that HiBy has continued to diversify its products as it reaches across the audio market from entry-level to flagship models where each product has its own specific offering to cater the needs of audio enthusiasts based on performance and value for money proposition. And HiBy R3 II is one of the products that HiBy truly offers that paradigm of performance and value for money that will appeal most of the budget-conscious audio enthusiasts seeking for.
If you are looking for a DAP that offers portability and sound quality performance at an affordable price, this device definitely fits the bill.
HiBy R3 II is currently available in HiBy's official store. Check the unaffiliated link below.
LINK: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r3-ii
For more HiBy products, check out my previous reviews on their products.
PROS:
● Compact yet well-built construction made of aluminium frame paired with glass panels.
● Quite power efficient on a battery life for longer playback time.
● Intuitive volume wheel for adjusting finer volume level.
● A 4.4mm balanced output on a small DAP.
● Can be used as a portable DAC/amp
● Two-way bluetooth
● Compatibility on more advanced bluetooth codec.
● It has a fairly powerful power output on both balanced and single ended audio jack
● Proprietary MSEB Audio tuning system
● Online lossless streaming support (Tidal and Qobuz)
● Native DSD256/ PCM 32-bit/ 384kHz
● Can unfold MQA format up to 16x for MQA lovers.
● Responsive and easy to navigate Linux-based HiBy OS.
CONS:
● Accessing artist selection is a bit unintuitive as we will encounter the album first instead of the track.
● Occasional bluetooth latency connection.
● No built-in memory storage.
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to HIBY MUSIC nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to JOSEPH YEUNG of HIBY MUSIC for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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