Thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now
☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended
☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure
Disclaimer:
This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.
Gear used:
● LG v30+
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Samsung dongle
● Various iems
Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.
Introduction:
Hiby is widely known for their great DAPs. They also produce dongle DAC/amplifiers and even some iems. Their products range from budget entry level to TOTL. The Hiby FC4 is currently Hiby's second most expensive dongle DAC/amp and is available for $79 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Design and features:
The FC4 features dual ES9218PC chips. The retail box contains the unit itself along with a dual sided USB-C cable and a USB to USB-C cable for use with PC. The design is minimalistic and sleek. The rectangular body has a nice matte finish and an aluminum build that feels both light in the hand and premium to the touch. On one end of the device is a USB-C port for connection to your source of choice. The other end features both 3.5 and 4.4mm connections. There are + and - buttons on the side for volume control that is independent of the source's volume. It's very convenient to be able to adjust both the volume on the DAC/amp and the source separately for more incremental control. The FC4 also remains at the last set volume between uses which is handy. Just above the USB-C port is a small indicator light that displays the sampling rate. There's no way to apply filters or EQ without use of the Hiby Music app. Unfortunately the app only works with local files and Tidal streaming.
Power consumption:
The FC4 boasts an output power of 110mW @ 32 ohms (single-ended) and 340mw @ 32ohms (balanced). To test the FC4's power consumption I ran a short trial. With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play on a medium high volume while making sure to limit any unnecessary interaction with the screen. Here is the battery drain results after 1 hour:
20% on LGV30+ through 4.4 and 15% through 3.5.
14% on Galaxy S22 Ultra through 4.4 and 12% through 3.5.
Sample track breakdown:
The following impressions were made using the Softears Volume, Simgot EW200, and Aful Magic One.
● "What Was I Made For" - Billie Eilish
When compared to the simple Samsung dongle, the FC4 adds a bit of weight note to the entire spectrum. I really enjoy that the amplification makes the piano sound more visceral and real. Any slight sibilant tinges in Billies breathy voice are smoothed over and the vocals are more enjoyable. The sub bass is extended a bit and there is more impact and rumble. The bass boost also helps tame the treble a bit and the sound is more balanced.
● "Dreams" - The Cranberries
Again the biggest impact I'm hearing is a bass that extends lower with more rumble and impact. Any slight peaks in the upper mids and treble have their edges smoothed over just slightly making them more enjoyable. Cymbal crashes in particular have less of a harsh sound. Vocals, while still present and enjoyable, have been pushed back ever so slightly. The combination of the smoother treble, more impactful bass, and very slightly recessed mids gives the entire frequency response a more balanced/warm presentation that is most welcome.
● "Adelaide" - Anberlin
Fist thing I noticed with this track is the bass sounds a bit "looser" with a slower decay. Each impact lingers a bit longer with the FC4 which helps to add a little warmth and fullness. Snares and cymbal crashes are still crisp but the edge is taken off a bit making them less detracting from the overall musicality.
● "Adore you" - Miley Cyrus
That bass rumble is so much more impactful and full right from the start! Miley's voice comes in and there is a slight musical quality that wasn't present before. The snares have more impact but simultaneously have a somewhat bluntness with the edge taken off a bit. The strings that come in at the chorus have much more presence and sound like we're in the same room.
● "Heartbreak Warfare" - John Mayer
The bass strumming in the intro has a bigger presence and fuller sound. There's also a more impactful and constant rumble from that bass throughout the song that was missing a bit before. John's vocals remain balanced and are not recessed even with the added bass heft. Guitar chords too have more presence and weight.
● "Mountains" - Hans Zimmer (Interstellar)
I don't often listen to OST's but this particular song has always been a good test track for me. Because the arrangement starts slow, the changes in the beginning are more subtle. A bigger bass rumble is noticeable though. At the 2:03 mark is where things take off. When the full orchestra comes in it feels like I'm sitting in the front row. The sound completely envelops me and I get goosebumps! The added weight of every note hits so much harder but is not harsh at all.
Final impressions:
If you're in the market for a dongle DAC/amp that adds some weight and musicality to your music I think the FC4 is perfect. It boasts a neutral/warm sound that smooths any troublesome peaks just enough without detracting from the overall sound profile. The added note weight makes every track sound more organic, full, and overall more enjoyable for my taste. The FC4 doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but the overall value for $79 is great. I highly recommend it those in need of more power and a fuller, more musical sound.
☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now
☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended
☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure
Disclaimer:
This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.
Gear used:
● LG v30+
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Samsung dongle
● Various iems
Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.
Introduction:
Hiby is widely known for their great DAPs. They also produce dongle DAC/amplifiers and even some iems. Their products range from budget entry level to TOTL. The Hiby FC4 is currently Hiby's second most expensive dongle DAC/amp and is available for $79 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Design and features:
The FC4 features dual ES9218PC chips. The retail box contains the unit itself along with a dual sided USB-C cable and a USB to USB-C cable for use with PC. The design is minimalistic and sleek. The rectangular body has a nice matte finish and an aluminum build that feels both light in the hand and premium to the touch. On one end of the device is a USB-C port for connection to your source of choice. The other end features both 3.5 and 4.4mm connections. There are + and - buttons on the side for volume control that is independent of the source's volume. It's very convenient to be able to adjust both the volume on the DAC/amp and the source separately for more incremental control. The FC4 also remains at the last set volume between uses which is handy. Just above the USB-C port is a small indicator light that displays the sampling rate. There's no way to apply filters or EQ without use of the Hiby Music app. Unfortunately the app only works with local files and Tidal streaming.
Power consumption:
The FC4 boasts an output power of 110mW @ 32 ohms (single-ended) and 340mw @ 32ohms (balanced). To test the FC4's power consumption I ran a short trial. With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play on a medium high volume while making sure to limit any unnecessary interaction with the screen. Here is the battery drain results after 1 hour:
20% on LGV30+ through 4.4 and 15% through 3.5.
14% on Galaxy S22 Ultra through 4.4 and 12% through 3.5.
Sample track breakdown:
The following impressions were made using the Softears Volume, Simgot EW200, and Aful Magic One.
● "What Was I Made For" - Billie Eilish
When compared to the simple Samsung dongle, the FC4 adds a bit of weight note to the entire spectrum. I really enjoy that the amplification makes the piano sound more visceral and real. Any slight sibilant tinges in Billies breathy voice are smoothed over and the vocals are more enjoyable. The sub bass is extended a bit and there is more impact and rumble. The bass boost also helps tame the treble a bit and the sound is more balanced.
● "Dreams" - The Cranberries
Again the biggest impact I'm hearing is a bass that extends lower with more rumble and impact. Any slight peaks in the upper mids and treble have their edges smoothed over just slightly making them more enjoyable. Cymbal crashes in particular have less of a harsh sound. Vocals, while still present and enjoyable, have been pushed back ever so slightly. The combination of the smoother treble, more impactful bass, and very slightly recessed mids gives the entire frequency response a more balanced/warm presentation that is most welcome.
● "Adelaide" - Anberlin
Fist thing I noticed with this track is the bass sounds a bit "looser" with a slower decay. Each impact lingers a bit longer with the FC4 which helps to add a little warmth and fullness. Snares and cymbal crashes are still crisp but the edge is taken off a bit making them less detracting from the overall musicality.
● "Adore you" - Miley Cyrus
That bass rumble is so much more impactful and full right from the start! Miley's voice comes in and there is a slight musical quality that wasn't present before. The snares have more impact but simultaneously have a somewhat bluntness with the edge taken off a bit. The strings that come in at the chorus have much more presence and sound like we're in the same room.
● "Heartbreak Warfare" - John Mayer
The bass strumming in the intro has a bigger presence and fuller sound. There's also a more impactful and constant rumble from that bass throughout the song that was missing a bit before. John's vocals remain balanced and are not recessed even with the added bass heft. Guitar chords too have more presence and weight.
● "Mountains" - Hans Zimmer (Interstellar)
I don't often listen to OST's but this particular song has always been a good test track for me. Because the arrangement starts slow, the changes in the beginning are more subtle. A bigger bass rumble is noticeable though. At the 2:03 mark is where things take off. When the full orchestra comes in it feels like I'm sitting in the front row. The sound completely envelops me and I get goosebumps! The added weight of every note hits so much harder but is not harsh at all.
Final impressions:
If you're in the market for a dongle DAC/amp that adds some weight and musicality to your music I think the FC4 is perfect. It boasts a neutral/warm sound that smooths any troublesome peaks just enough without detracting from the overall sound profile. The added note weight makes every track sound more organic, full, and overall more enjoyable for my taste. The FC4 doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but the overall value for $79 is great. I highly recommend it those in need of more power and a fuller, more musical sound.
