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- Portable Amps
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- kesobie
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- Rating
- 4.67 star(s) 3 ratings
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HiBy W3 II Bluetooth CS43131 Dongle
- Added by kesobie
- Create date
Latest reviews
Des99
New Head-Fier
Pros: Small and lightweight
Feature rich
Neutral sound signature
Physical buttons
Supports High-Res codecs
Stable Bluetooth connection
Decent battery life
Mic, NFC, shirt clip
Feature rich
Neutral sound signature
Physical buttons
Supports High-Res codecs
Stable Bluetooth connection
Decent battery life
Mic, NFC, shirt clip
Cons: No Type A to Type C adapter or Type C to Type C data cable
Just barely enough power for most IEMs
No balanced output
No independent volume control without the app
Find W3 II feature is underwhelming
Just barely enough power for most IEMs
No balanced output
No independent volume control without the app
Find W3 II feature is underwhelming
Disclaimer
Price(MSRP)
IEM(s) Used
Packaging
Design & Build Quality
Battery Life
Connectivity
Pairing
Latency
Sound & Drivability
Sound
Drivability
HiBy Blue
Find W3 II
Car Mode
Channel Balance
EQ
Volume Fine Tune
Volume Adjustment
Power Off
Other Features
NFC
Microphone
Shirt clip
Conclusion
Non Affiliated Link
Thanks for reading!
- I won this from a giveaway directly from HiBy on a Twitter event. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
Price(MSRP)
- $49.00
IEM(s) Used
- Oriolus Isabellae
- Binary x Gizaudio Chopin
- Letshuoer EJ07M
- Tangzu x HBB Heyday
Packaging
- W3 II.
- USB Type-A to Type-C Data Cable
- I hope this is a Type-C to Type-C data cable instead, so I can use the dongle mode on my phone. Perhaps even including a Type-C to Type-A adapter would be fine too.
- Once, I accidentally brought this cable out but realized it cannot be used on my phone after that. Luckily, there was enough juice on the W3 II for me to use it on Bluetooth Mode.
Design & Build Quality
- Plasticky, a little cheap but there is at least
- Has some heft to it but not heavy at all.
- Has a nice graffiti art on the faceplate but is quite easy to attract fingerprints.
Battery Life
- Battery life is quite decent for its size
- I only need to charge about once every 3 days of use, with 3-4 hours of use per day.
- I usually use LDAC with 60 to 70% volume
- Even without Bluetooth, it can be used like a normal dac/amp dongle with a data cable, which is called dongle mode.
- The W3 II will be charged at the same time while using in dongle mode.
Connectivity
Pairing
- Pairing is easy and straightforward as long as you follow the instructions in the user guide.
- Remember to plug in your audio device first for audio cues.
Latency
- There is a very slightly noticeable delay for me, like most Bluetooth devices I used.
- Not a problem for lighter tasks such as watching videos and listening to music
- Can be a small issue for competitive gaming.
Sound & Drivability
Sound
- Neutral-ish signature with a very slightly hint of warmth so it is not too sterile, nothing else is boosted to my ears.
- Sounds very decent for the price, easy to pair with any IEMs or headphones, clean and open, with no audible noise floors to my ears.
Drivability
- Not great, should be enough for most IEMs, but only barely enough for harder to drive IEMs such as AFUL MagicOne and Tangzu x HBB Heyday.
- Definitely not for full sized open back headphones.
HiBy Blue
- One of the main highlights of the W3 II to me, providing many useful features for the user.
- Fairly easy to use, and it shows all the important information right as you tap into the app.
- Battery life
- Bluetooth connection strength
- Bluetooth codec being used
Find W3 II
- Only flashes the light of the W3 II in red and blue alternately in quick speed.
- Not very useful but this is the the best that the W3 II can do due to its limitation of not having a sound output.
- Adding a loud sound like a "BEEP" would be a lot more helpful.
Car Mode
- I don't have a car so I didn't try this function.
Channel Balance
- Good temporary solution if there are any channel imbalances in your IEMs or headphones, while waiting for your replacement units.
EQ
- One of the main highlights for me, didn't expect this feature at all coming from a device in the price range, very impressed
- 5 bands, with 8 preset profiles and 1 custom profile.
- Makes it very simple to use yet very effective.
- Each band represents sub bass, mid bass, lower midrange, upper midrange and treble quite well.
- I wish it could have more custom profiles, so I don't have to keep readjusting every time I use a different device.
- Once saved and enabled, it can be used even without starting the app.
- However, the app has to be used if you want to turn off the EQ after that.
Volume Fine Tune
- Works like an independent volume control like other more premium dongles, but in a digital and software manner.
- Use it very often to have more precise control on volume.
- Really appreciate that HiBy implemented this so this very useful feature is more accessible on budget devices.
Volume Adjustment
- Works like the physical volume up and down buttons.
- Good temporary solution if your physical buttons are damaged or are not functioning.
Power Off
- Provides an option to power the W3 II off through the app.
- Also can adjust the time needed for the device to power off if inactive, from 5 minutes up to 240 minutes.
Other Features
NFC
- Nice and convenient feature.
- Personally, I don't use it often, but I tested and it works with my Samsung Galaxy S21.
- Can see this being useful for a lot of people.
Microphone
- Usable at most.
- Sounds very soft in my case and is not very clear.
Shirt clip
- Very nice to have, used a lot more often than I initially thought.
Conclusion
- Overall, I think the HiBy W3 II is a truly impressive device by packing so many features and good qualities into such a portable form factor. Furthermore, it has an unbelievably affordable price tag for what it is capable of doing.
- However, if you're looking for something to power your hard to drive devices, without the need of extra features and portability, then the W3 II might not be for you, and I suggest looking for something else.
Non Affiliated Link
- If you are interested after reading the article, feel free to check out the non affiliated link below
- HiBy Official Store:
Thanks for reading!
Last edited:
kesobie
100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Very practical “audiophile” device
Compact, lightweight design
Cool graffiti aesthetic
Comes with a shirt clip
Intuitive controls
HiBy Blue compatibility
Hi-Res Codecs (LDAC< aptX/HD, UAT)
Can be used as a wired DAC
Stable, low-latency Bluetooth connection
Solid battery life
Inline controls
Come with a mic
NFC Pairing
Neutral, uncolored sound
More than enough power for most IEMs
Compact, lightweight design
Cool graffiti aesthetic
Comes with a shirt clip
Intuitive controls
HiBy Blue compatibility
Hi-Res Codecs (LDAC< aptX/HD, UAT)
Can be used as a wired DAC
Stable, low-latency Bluetooth connection
Solid battery life
Inline controls
Come with a mic
NFC Pairing
Neutral, uncolored sound
More than enough power for most IEMs
Cons: No balanced output
Front panel is a scratch and fingerprint magnet
Wired is limited to 16bit/48khz decoding
Not the most premium feeling device
Front panel is a scratch and fingerprint magnet
Wired is limited to 16bit/48khz decoding
Not the most premium feeling device
HiBy W3 II Review: CONVENIENCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE!
WATCH REVIEW HERE:
PRICE: $49
PROS:
- Very practical “audiophile” device
- Compact, lightweight design
- Cool graffiti aesthetic
- Comes with a shirt clip
- Intuitive controls
- HiBy Blue compatibility
- Hi-Res Codecs (LDAC< aptX/HD, UAT)
- Can be used as a wired DAC
- Stable, low-latency Bluetooth connection
- Solid battery life
- Inline controls
- Come with a mic
- NFC Pairing
- Neutral, uncolored sound
- More than enough power for most IEMs
CONS:
- No balanced output
- Front panel is a scratch and fingerprint magnet
- Wired is limited to 16bit/48khz decoding
- Not the most premium feeling device
WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR:
- People who want a practical solution to their audiophile needs
- People who want a convenient device to pair with their favorite wired IEMs
- People who want an audio device that can double as a call/meeting device
- People who want a largely uncompromised listening experience for a Bluetooth device
- People who want a device that’s capable of doing Hi-Res Wireless Decoding
- People who want a sustainable Bluetooth device
- People who want a long-lasting Bluetooth DAC/AMP
- People who commute a lot/move around a lot
WHO THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:
- People who want a LOT of driving power
- People who want the highest fidelity sound for the price
- People who need balanced output
- People who want something more premium feeling
AT A GLANCE:
“The HiBy W3 II changed my perspective on music listening as it is the most practical “audiophile” device I’ve ever owned. It provides the Hi-Res capabilities of outputting more than enough power for most IEMs, decoding both standard and Hi-Res codecs, and providing a largely uncompromised listening experience with the convenience of having a shirt clip, stable connection, an in-line microphone, and a solid battery life. I seriously could not think of a more perfect device for audiophiles seeking convenience without compromise.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!Thank you for reading my review. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-w3-ii
@HiByMusic
hokagoteatimereviews
New Head-Fier
Pros: 1. The price of $49 is great! (As of this review its on sale for $43)
2. Has a CS43131 DAC along with QC5125 chip which is again unheard for the price
3. Has an eq function which works very well
4. The overall sound is neutral but doesn't tend to muddy the sound
5. EQ is saved in the dongle
6. Has an inbuilt mic
2. Has a CS43131 DAC along with QC5125 chip which is again unheard for the price
3. Has an eq function which works very well
4. The overall sound is neutral but doesn't tend to muddy the sound
5. EQ is saved in the dongle
6. Has an inbuilt mic
Cons: 1. Only con I can think of is the plastic build quality (but then again for the price thats a nitpick)
Introduction:-
Hey guys, today I have the Hiby W3 ii with me for review today. Its a budget Bluetooth dongle from hiby.
I have also shared a video version of the review at YouTube any support there in form of a view, A like or A subscribe is greatly appreciated. But if you so wish to read the written version you can read this.
This is a review unit from Hiby, all the thoughts and opinions you are about to hear are my own.
Buy it here (Unaffiliated link) :-
Hiby Website - https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-w3-ii
Hiby Aliexpress Store - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006467204561.html?
I will be as usual following my bullet style format for better readability for those who are dyslexic and in general find it hard to read long paragraphs. I follow this guide in general from the British Dyslexia Association.
So lets get started!
Review:-
1. The packaging is very simple it comes with the W3ii, a usb c cable and some basic papers
2. The entire build is plastic and it is very lightweight at around only 19g! It also has a clip on the back.
3. The price of the W3ii is only $49
4. The W3ii has a single CS43131 dac in it and uses the Qualcomm QCC5125 chip which has bluetooth 5.2 and a single 3.5mm output.
5. It can be used both as a bluetooth dac and as a usb dongle dac. It also has NFC for connecting the device.
6. The bluetooth range is average at around 8-10m in a line of sight
7. Codec’c it supports are LDAC, aptx, aptxHD, SBC, AAC and Hiby’s proprietary UAT wireless codec.
8. It has a mic input which uses a CVC noise cancelling technology during calls and supports the CTIA headset controls, Please click on my youtube video the Mic sample is given at 1:34
(Any support by subscribing to my YouTube channel is greatly appreciated )
9. The battery is claimed to last around 10.5 hours on aac codec, but I got around 9.5 hours on aac codec while playing the moondrop chu 2 at around 30% volume.
10. The standby time is really good! They say its around 100 hours but I have seen much better than results than that.
11. It doesn’t have any low gain or high gain.
12. It also has an app which is separate from the Hiby music app.
13. I will show a screenshot below so that you can see what basic features it has.
14. The led control button is a really nice feature, also the Find feature is quite nice too.
15. It also supports a car mode, so you can use this adapter inside your car.
16. It also has a channel imbalance button which is great for someone who might have a hearing loss on one side.
17. It also has an EQ feature where there are 8 preset eq and you can modify the eq but only upto 4 bands. For the price this is really good!
18. Also the EQ is saved in the device so you can use the same EQ everywhere, although to change it you would require the android app once again.
19. Volume fine tune lets you choose the internal volume of the W3ii which is really nice!! So that it can adapt to different volume steps on different devices and you can adjust the volume steps to be a lot finer.
20. You also have the option to select auto power off feature, which is really nice.
21. I will share a small screenshot of the button function and also the what each step of the multicolour LED means. You can see it below
21. Now talking about the sound, before talking about the sound I want to say that it is very hard to judge a dac on its own. And the judgement depends heavily on what type of iems/headphones I am using it with.
22. The sound from the Hiby W3ii is very natural
23. Although there is no colouration of the sound it does sound quite lively specially when listening to any live recordings.
24. The overall treble notes is a bit blunted, which makes it a great pair to listen it with bright sounding iems.
25. Iems like Geekwold GK20 and the Simgot EW200 paired really well with this.
26. When using it in wired mode the sound from it seemed a bit better than in the bluetooth mode.
27. Overall for the price of $49 I think this is a fantastic product for those who want a budget bluetooth dongle dac and which also has eq feature and quite a robust app. The mic support and CTIA headset controls is a great feature to have.
28. Also if you have a bright iems this makes a good pairing too.
29. That was my review of the hiby W3ii, I hope you liked, Thanks for stopping by!
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and also if you have any issues regarding this format of review please do comment I will try to mend it. Also sorry to those who are used to reading long paragraphs of review in headfi. I hope my review was upto the mark, I appreciate any feedback.
Again a big thanks to Hiby for making this review possible.
Have a great day ahead, Bye
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