HiBy R3 II

General Information

HiBy R3 II (Gen 2) Entry-level HiFi Lossless Audio Player Music Player with HiByOS​


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Latest reviews

pradiptacr7

100+ Head-Fier
Hiby R3 II Review
Pros: Ultimate portable form factor, 4.4mm output is Powerful, Snappy OS, Lot of Accessories, Neutral Sounding
Cons: Lacking dynamics, Thin notes, Neutral sound sometimes brings boredom

HIBY R3 II: Pocket Rocket



Introduction: -

Established in 2011, Hiby Music specialises in research, development, and sales of high-quality portable audio products. They have developed dozens of digital audio players (DAPs), IEMs, USB DACs, etc. Hiby R3 II is HiBy's latest entry-level DAP. This device is a successor model of both the R3 Pro Saber 2022 and R3 Pro Saber regular, but this item has some improvements and substantially upgraded features. R3 II is a super-compact DAP with good features just like the previous R3 iterations. The DAC chips are retained as dual ESS SABRE ES9219C, which supports 32-bit PCM and native DSD256 audio signals. The amplifying section had some overhaul as well. Now both the 3.5mm and newly introduced 4.4mm have more power. To be exact, both outputs have approximately 20% more power, which is a nice improvement and all this for a pocket-friendly price of US$ 179.00.

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Specifications: -
  • DAC Used: Dual ES9219C
  • THD+N: 0.0005%@1kHz.
  • Headphone outputs: SE 3.5mm (Supports LO), BAL 4.4mm
  • Power: 70mW@32Ω(SE), 280mW@32Ω(Bal)
  • DNR: ≥115dB
  • Noise: 2.2uV(SE), 3uV(BAL)
  • Max Level: 3.0 Vrms@Bal, 1.5Vrms@SE output
  • Memory card: microSD (supports sizes up to 2TB)
  • Supported formats: PCM 384KHz/32Bit, MQA16X, DSD-256
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 (Two Way), LDAC, AptX, AAC, SBC Codecs
  • Dimensions: 86.9 x 60.6 x 14.5mm
  • Battery Capacity: 2000mAH
Disclaimer: -

The review tour for Hiby R3 II was arranged by Joe Bloggs and @gadgetgod in India. We are thankful to them for the opportunity. However, the review reflects our honest opinion.

Packaging & Accessories: -

The Hiby R3 II comes in a medium-sized box with the device and all the accessories. Removing the box reveals the DAP. The supplied Type-C cable is also well-packed along with a warranty card and user manuals. The presentation overall is classy. Additionally, a silicon case and an extra set of screen protectors are found where they have already applied screen and back protection to the unit. Check our full unboxing video here,

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Build & Design: -

The DAP is made of aluminium alloy and comes in three different colors, red, silver, and black. Where our unit is Black. It weighs about 118 grams. The design is very portable and easy to use in daily life. The lower and upper edges have been rounded, which makes the design ergonomic. It feels very comfortable in the hand. It comes with a 3.2” LCD touch Display. On the right side, there are three buttons and a volume wheel on the upper half. The three buttons claim the play/pause, fast forward/next track and backward/previous track while the volume wheel also consists of a push button which operates as a Power and Wake up button. On the left side in the lower half, there is the microSD memory card slot. The device has a single MicroSD slot without any internal storage. You can use MicroSD cards up to 2TB.

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Software: -

The player uses Linux-based Hiby OS with a very simple UI. I personally didn’t face any problems with the OS as it is on point and easy to use. The boot-up and shut-down speed is fast, also the memory reading process is not too time-consuming. It also supports Tidal and Qubuz streaming services via WiFi. It also supports firmware updates over the air.

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Operations & Settings: -

The R3 II is quite fast in terms of operation, with a very responsive touchscreen and buttons and a fast UI. The UI is quite simple indeed, but the functionality is perfect without any flaws. The DAP can only be woken up with power button (Which eventually is the Volume Wheel). The settings allow you to play around with screen time, brightness, Filters, Auto Shutdown, WiFi, Bluetooth and even USB Modes and more. It has an Android-inspired drop-down quick control centre. The small display may limit some of the UI experiences but with proper album art, the display looks very nice. Overall if you like to have a fancy but simple UI with several EQ settings etc., this is the player for you.

Battery & Charging: -

The real-life experience with the battery would be around 10h to 12h in our opinion in Balanced output usage, and although I haven’t done any specific battery tests, I can honestly say that this is one good DAP in terms of battery life. The charging time is over 2 hours with a 2A charger.

Testing Equipment: -

We feel it’s important to list down the IEMs we are using to test the DAP, so here is the list.

IEMs: Penon Fan 2, Penon 10th anniversary, Oriveti OD100, Tanchjim Oxygen, Hiby Yvain, Hisenior Okavango, Hisenior Mega5p Ultra and many other IEMs.

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Sound Analysis: -

The overall tonality of R3 II is what we feel is very neutral. It does not add any additional glare or warmth to the outputs and is actually good for testing various IEMs and accessories. The note weight on the lower frequencies is on the lighter side compared to other DAPs. Making the DAP lacking in dynamics although it has its impact in the bass region. The mid-range is quite neutral with a bit more emphasized. Makes the vocals smooth and somewhat weighty. The noise floor is on the higher side on the SE output, but it’s improved on the 4.4mm BAL and the clarity of the sound is also improved on the balanced output. It may sound not exciting to those who are looking to get more dynamic and energetic output. But if you have the IEMs or Headphones that tick your favourite boxes there is no point in avoiding the Hiby R3 II. In our cases, it really went well with warm and musical IEMs synergy-wise.

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Technical Performance: -

The device is very competent across frequencies. The detail retrieval is good enough on the mid-range, in the bass and the treble. The soundstage is decent with more depth when we compare it to the other dongles. It never feels so congested even though the width of the soundstage is not big.

Conclusion: -

We didn’t have much expectation about R3II. However, the device quickly won us over with its portability and the value it offers. No, you cannot expect the class-leading sound quality and technical performance from this tiny device, but it gets the job done quite well. The software is snappy, and we loved it as well. In Aural Café we can recommend this item for your companion while running, working out or hassle-free commute as it’s footprints and the output for the price you’re paying.

Non-Affiliated Link- https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r3-ii

Zerstorer_GOhren

500+ Head-Fier
HIBY R3 II: Ultra Portability
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.
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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Here are the following subcategory menus under each application:

Music

● All

● Files

● Albums

● Artists

● Genres

● Album Artist

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Stream media

● Tidal

● Qobuz

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Wireless

● Bluetooth

● Wi-Fi

● Hiby Link

● Import Music via Wi-Fi

● DLNA

● AirPlay

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Books

● Scanning

● Books

● Favorites

● Files

● Recently readed

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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

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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.

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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

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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.


■ HIBY R6 PRO MK.II

■ HIBY CRYSTAL 6 MK.II

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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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Last edited:
eaglesgift
eaglesgift
I don't understand what you mean when you say "Accessing artist selection is a bit unintuitive as we will encounter the album first instead of the track." If you mean when you select an artist, you see a list of albums, I don't see what's unintuitive about that? I don't want to see a wall of tracks for each artist - surely it's more intuitive to listen to whole albums rather than random tracks from different albums in alphabetical order?
Zerstorer_GOhren
Zerstorer_GOhren
@eaglesgift its a bit unintuitive in my opinion if I want to play a certain track instantly, its a bit of hassle to press again just the access the track.

I'm a type of a person wants to access the tracks instantly..

Ideally: Artist > Track not Artist > Album > Track.

I'm quite used on how LG stock player on their LG V/G series on organising and compiling an audio track on their playlist. It more manageable and easier to navigate.
eaglesgift
eaglesgift
So you prefer to see all the tracks for an artist in alphabetical order? I guess it would be good if they provided an option in settings to choose either that or album view, so we both get what we want!

SherryLion

New Head-Fier
A compact yet powerful DAP! HiBy R3 II
Pros: 1. Comfortable and convenient form factor
2. Easy and responsive OS
3. Better SQ than other DAPs around this price range
Cons: 1. Surfing around can be a little time consuming on a small screen

Review Of The HiBy R3 II


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Introduction


I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to try HiBy products, which completely blew me away after seeing both their mid-range and high-end models. Because of my great experiences with their products in terms of quality, it puts me at ease and gives me confidence in them. And today I had the chance to test out the HiBy R3 Gen II, their updated version of the well-received R3. However, before we go any further, I want to share certain details with you.

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Disclaimer


*Since this unit tour was organised by Joe Bloggs, I am very grateful for this opportunity. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to the DAP as “R3 II.”
*I am using various IEMs and sources for better judgement and versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the R3 II. based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.


Specification


The R3 II has two ES9129C DACs, which enable DSD256 and PCM384kHz/32bit/MQA16X outputs via the 3.5mm PO, 4.4mm BAL, and 3.5mm LO analog audio ports.Additionally, it supports the previously mentioned via coaxial digital (via Type-C port) and digital audio ports. The system runs on HiByOS, an internal Linux operating system. The CPU is an X1000E, which I will talk about later and feels fine to use. Additionally, the device supports wireless transfers via Bluetooth Version 5.1 (Two-way), which supports UAT, LDAC, APTX, AAC, SBC, Airplay, DLNA, and HiByLink, and 2.4GHz WiFiHz. It has a 2000mah battery and supports microSD cards up to 2TB. The screen has a 3.2" touchscreen with a resolution of 320 by 480. The audio output's technical specifications are listed below.

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Tested Specification3.5mm PO4.4mm BAL
Max voltage1.9Vrms3.5Vrms
Max power112mW380mW
Normal voltage1.5Vrms3Vrms
Normal power70mW280mW

The DAP comes with a USB C data cable and a clear plastic case with screen protectors.

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Design And Aesthetics


The R3 II features reinforced glass front and rear plates, as well as an aluminum alloy chassis. There are three color options: red, silver, and black. It weighs 118g and has dimensions of 86.9*60.6*14.5 mm. It is well worth it because of the form factor and weight, as the former is ideal for one-handed use and fits beneath your palm. I used it without a cover for a while even though I kept it in the silicone case, and I had no trouble managing it. Although I had anticipated that the fact that neither port wiggled would be cause for alarm, the volume knob makes me feel insecure about it. I never thought the device was warm or hot, not even after I completely depleted the battery. Approaching the chases with confidence, I can retain any grip and even take a few blows because it's robust and stiff. Therefore, I find the design and aesthetics to be both appealing and eye-catching; nevertheless, I'll talk more about the usefulness of utilizing one later.

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Usage


I was able to obtain between nine and eleven hours on the 3.5mm and 4.4mm port with my usage. Although it is a matter of taste, I find that holding and using the Shanling M0 and the HiBy R2 II feels significantly better, so the small factor does come in helpful as it is not too small to feel little in comparison to my IEM stack around it. There were moments when I felt uneasy with the volume, as though it could easily come off. The speedy and user-friendly HiBy OS made it easy for me to navigate through all of my songs, but the biggest worry was how long it took me to locate the album I was looking for. Of course, with a device this small, this is unavoidable. I did feel less constrained and more at ease using it as my daily source, but I did think that the experience wasn't quite up to par with what I am used to. I was taken aback when it powered my HD600 with a good 70–80 volume gain, but once more, driving isn't what the cans require—juice, which is conspicuously absent from every DAP I've tried. Therefore, in terms of usability, I think this holds up well to what an audiophile essentially requires.

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Sound Impressions


IEMs


Thieaudio Monarch MKII

Monarch MKII is the foundation from where I start recognising other IEMs. For me the Monarch MKII has the perfect treble, mid range and bass. I may prefer more punchy bass though, but all in all close to what I find in an IEM. The treble is extensive and exceptionally smooth for my taste. The mid range is centric and very expressive and the bass goes deep and rumbles beautifully. The bass feels lacking slam but it is there, but I love the way it is. In my opinion, these are technical monster, as the stage is expansive and realistic with great depth and acting dimensions. The imaging may have been more edgy and sharp but it is enough to sound clean and crisp. The separation is really how distant and distinctive every element should be. The attack and decay resolves at a pace I find natural and real. All in all I find it to sound perfect with superb tonality and excellent technicalities. Monarch MKII still surprises me how both technical and tonal performances blend and compliments each other. A peaceful and relaxed play. No other sources were able to alter or change the sound of this IEM except for the mid range which either became subdued or very revealing, the sound felt the same except for warm sources or very transparent ones like the WM1A and Questyle M15.

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Upon testing my Monarch MKII with the R3, I was sufficiently assured that there was sufficient power to operate them. Although everything about the presentation felt calm, the details were there. I noticed that the notes were smoother and rounder, which gave the impression that it was wider and more expansive. However, the vocals felt forward, with the instruments supporting them. When I paired the bass with my V6, the Monarch MKII seemed to be lacking a slight oomph. In contrast, the mid bass felt more natural and loose.The stage feels the same as the V6, but the texture and details are just better. However, I think the R3 II's quality and presentation is better because it keeps the details while still making the experience more enjoyable.

Thieaudio Hype2

The hype2 is an IEM with a natural sound that completely outperforms IEMs in this price range in terms of tonality, sound imaging, separation, and resolution. The sound is fuller and richer, and the imaging and separation make it easy to listen to vocals, particularly female vocals. It is hypnotic to listen to because it is easy to distinguish between the various vocalists or the vocal layering. The Hype2 is a very capable IEM because I never noticed any changes in tone or quality missing from the response from any of my sources, including the Sony WM1A, Tempotec V6, or other sources I had the chance to listen to like the RU7, BTR7, or Astell & Kern Khan Max. It is only when the vocals are slightly provoked or subdued using sources that there is a slight difference, but that is mostly what I heard while listening. The Hype2 is one of the top IEMs in this price range in my opinion, and it can layer and image just as well as the Monarch MKII.


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In comparison to the V6, I noticed a smoother and more pleasant presentation when I paired the HYPE2. When listening to bass tracks, I noticed a sudden improvement in the bass presentation that made for a more effective exposure. In my testing, I did notice that the treble became softer and a little less technical, but the HYPE2 still had the same clarity over the vocals and instruments. Even so, I would still rather have clarity from my HYPE2 in the higher frequencies than a soothing sound.

Thor Mjolnir MKII

Mjolnir is a very bassy set which has a lot of sub bass emphasis. The treble and upper mid range is also very forward in the mix. The upper treble has great extension as well. The bass is very punchy and boomy while acting fast. Mjolnir is a great V-shape sounding IEM with a different approach to explosive bass that has better technicalities, especially in this price range. The stage is great with nice surround stage and depth where the separation of each element sounding distant enough them to procure space to breathe and distinct themselves. The attack and decay of the driver capability is really quick and performs great. The vocals may feel lean and sparkly, the warmth or the fuller experience is something that these lack. Th bass response does vary from sources to sources whether I listen to a warm source or a neutral one, the bass becomes either overwhelming or authoritative or both.

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The Mjolnir didn't sound as good as I had hoped because the treble seemed muted and less detailed than before, and the bass felt bloated, which was powerful but messed up the mid range due to how the stage felt. Even though the bass is strong and boomy with a deep sub bass, I would prefer a more sparkling presentation from the Mjolnir since it highlights the finer details. Even so, the vocals continued to feel direct and unambiguous.

HiBy Yvian

The Yvain is an IEM with a bright sound that leans toward dead neutrality, emphasizing only the lower treble and upper midrange. It is evident that the signature differs from other IEMs in this price range. Even though the sound isn't what I was expecting, the emphasis on the notes' calm and clarity makes these IEMs incredibly fantastic. I have never heard of a bright-neutral IEM that eliminates all distracting or objectionable noises from the mix until now. However, it can occasionally be a bit too much for someone like me who prefers a sub bass boost tuning that is more balanced or neutral. I believe that when it was tuned, placing less emphasis on the sharp notes—whether they are in the treble or the mid range—was the right move. Although it sounds less smooth, it isn't piercing or sharp. Additionally, the bass has a really tight tone and effectively defines itself through exposure.

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From a sound quality perspective, the R3 II elevates every region in the mix without producing any distinct energy differences, making the Yvian sound very pleasant throughout. The Yvain sounds tonally comfortable thanks to the tone, which is more smooth than sharp. The pairing sounds clean and linear to me, even though I do think the texture in the details isn't as detailed as I have heard in other DAPs. However, they are also more expensive than R3 II.


Tracks


Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun


Conclusion


To sum up this review, if you're searching for an offline player that can manage your data in a small package, I do think the HiBy R3 II DAP is worth the money. It's among the best DAPs you can get for the money whether you want to use it outside or comfortably while seated in a chair. You won't need more than the power and performance, unless you use headphones frequently. Nevertheless, I have verified that the capability extends beyond appearances. Therefore, it comes highly recommended if you're looking for a convenient and useful DAP.

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