HiBy Zeta

This Hiby Zeta IEM Review was originally written and posted on my website.​

About the Hiby Zeta​

Company Overview​

HiBy is a company with a strong background in the portable audio industry, specializing in high-fidelity music players and audio products. Founded in 2011, HiBy Music, its main brand, focuses on the development of portable digital audio players (DAPs), earphones, and USB DACs. With over 15 years in the field and a dedicated team of over 40 professional audio R&D staff, HiBy has built a reputation for innovation and quality in the realm of portable audio devices.

Technical Specifications​

• Impedance: 9Ω.
• Sensitivity: 112dB/mW.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz.
• Max Input: 100mW.
• THD+N: <1%.
• Weight: 10.6grams(each earpiece).

Features​

• Dynamic+BA+EST Tribrid Driver Configuration.
• Enhanced ElectroStatic Drivers.
• High-Performance Balanced Armature Drivers.
• 10mm Powerful Liquid Silicone Surround Dynamic Driver.
• High-Quality Kevlar Composite Diaphragm.
• 5-way Independent Physical Acoustic Chambers.
• 5-Way Electronic Crossover.
• Premium Titanium Alloy Housings.
• CNC-Machined Finish.
• Spatial Harmonic Enhancement Structure.
• Ergonomic & Lightweight Design.
• High-Purity 8-Core OCC Copper Cable.
• Fully-Balanced Litz Braided Cable Structure.
• True 4.4mm Balanced Termination.
• 0.78mm Two-Pin Connectors.

What’s Inside the Box​

• Carrying case
• 3 various types of eartips
• 4.4mm balanced cable
• 2x IEM protective pouch
• Nozzle cleaner
• Cable organizer
• Hiby Zeta IEMs
• Manuals

Review​

After spending weeks carefully evaluating the Hiby Zeta, I’ve come to view it as an L-shaped signature IEM. I don’t consider it V-shaped, particularly because the treble region isn’t as pronounced. This opinion is based on my experience with various V-shaped transducers, such as the Beyerdynamic DT series.


In this review, I used my Cayin N6ii and Venture Electronics Abigail Pro amplifier with Spotify and Tidal as music sources.

Frequency Graph​

Frequency response of Celest Phoenixcall courtesy of Practiphile.

Experience​

First, let’s talk about the cable as it’s the first thing that bothered me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s made from high-quality materials, but I find it a bit too stiff for my liking.

I wish the cable had more flexibility like the Celest PhoenixCall, which offers high quality with minimal resistance. The stiffness causes an issue with the ear hook; it doesn’t sit properly over my ear and tends to float above instead.


Moving on, I must appreciate the Zetas’ build quality. Constructed from high-quality CNC machined titanium, they are clearly built to last!

I also admire the fit of the Zeta; although the shell is somewhat bulky, its design prevents it from protruding or creating pressure points when worn. However, it’s important to note that fit can vary depending on individual ear shapes, as we all have unique ears.

Music​

The Hiby Zeta exhibits a monstrous bass impact. This is probably the bass-heaviest set I’ve listened to in a while! Despite that, it features controlled bass that doesn’t bleed into other frequencies, which is great because you can enjoy the quality bass without sacrificing the clarity of the other frequencies. It’s fast, and the decay is on point! I particularly enjoyed this set with the latest ‘Godlike’ LP release by Thy Art is Murder.

However, when it comes to mids, I wish they were a bit more forward. This would make my listening experience more complete and engaging. Male and female vocals sound a bit recessed for my liking. To put it in perspective, if the BQEYZ Winter is near my forehead, the Hiby Zeta is closer to the back of my head in terms of vocal placement.


Despite this, the vocal quality itself is impressive. It sounds organic – just about right, in my opinion.

The treble presents a similar scenario; it’s somewhat more laid back than I prefer. While it still delivers quality treble, it lacks that extra sparkle and nuances. I believe pairing it with an analytical source, which I unfortunately haven’t done, might bring out a bit more energy in the treble. But that’s just my assumption.


This is the reason why I considered it an L-shaped in-ear monitor.

Gaming​

My only complaint about the Hiby Zeta when gaming is its limited soundstage. It doesn’t offer a wide auditory field, which means you might miss hearing cues from incoming enemies.

Overall, the Hiby Zeta provides a richly textured and robust experience during close combat scenarios in gaming.

Conclusion​

I can see how the Hiby Zeta would appeal to some listeners. It offers a fatigue-free and fun listening experience! However, it’s not quite my cup of tea, as I prefer more pronounced mids and sparkling highs in the treble region. Though, now, I started to appreciate this kind of signature, all thanks to this set!

Nonetheless, I’m glad I had the opportunity to try out this IEM and experience a sound signature I don’t usually listen to.


For those who already own a treble-focused or analytical set, the Zeta could be a great addition, especially if you’re willing to invest $1,399 in your audio experience!

Disclaimer:

I received the Hiby Zeta as part of a review tour in my country organized by Hiby. I was asked to share my honest opinion about the IEM based on my usage over a week or so. I am not associated with Hiby in any way and have no incentive whatsoever to write anything positive or negative about the IEM. The impressions shared in this write-up are subjective based on my gear and choice of music.

The Hiby Zeta can be purchased from here: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-zeta




Introduction:

The Hiby Zeta is a Tribrid IEM with a whopping 9 drivers per side, which includes 4 Enhanced EST Super tweeters (shared converter) paired with 4 BA drivers for Tweeters /Mids/Woofer and a 10mm Liquid Silicone DD that acts as a subwoofer. The IEM has an impedance of 9 ohms and is quite sensitive at 112dB/mW. The max input power handling is at 100mW, hence making it quite easy to drive with portable equipment like DAPs and dongle DACs. The cable included with the IEM is an 8-core high-purity OCC copper cable with a fully balanced Litz braiding and comes with a 4.4mm balanced termination and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. The pack-in cable is mighty impressive in terms of build quality and is very supple and free of microphonics.



The build quality of the Hiby Zeta reflects a commitment to durability and style. The earpieces are made of titanium alloy with a CNC machined finish that gives the Zeta a very premium look and feel. Hiby Zeta prioritizes comfort with its ergonomic design ensuring that the earphones sit comfortably in your ears. Although the earpieces are relatively large, they’re very light and, hence, comfortable to wear. The large shells might be a challenge for those with smaller ears, but I personally did not have any trouble in terms of fit or comfort. The Zeta comes with 3 sets of ear tips in different sizes. I’d suggest trying all the varieties and figuring out which one works best for you. Personally, I felt the white tips (soft brace for deep wearing) were the best of the lot. However, for the purpose of this review, I tip-rolled a bunch of options and chose to go with Azla Sedana Earfit Max tips since they gave me a good seal and complemented Hiby Zeta’s sound signature very well.



Sound Quality:

The Hiby Zeta is a sonic powerhouse that offers a well-rounded TOTL experience with impeccable resolution. The IEM has a warm-neutral signature with the bass response striking a good balance between impact and precision. It delivers a satisfying thump without overshadowing the other frequencies, making it ideal for genres that demand a strong low-end presence. With the 10mm DD essentially acting as a subwoofer, there is good presence in the sub-bass region resulting in some powerful rumble. The bass response is mighty impressive in terms of texture as well, thereby, delivering in terms of both quality and quantity.

The midrange on the Hiby Zeta is clear, and nuanced, and has a natural warmth to it. Vocals, both male and female, are rendered with exceptional clarity, bringing out the emotional aspect of an artist’s performance quite vividly.



The treble is crisp and extends gracefully without being overly sharp or fatiguing. It provides sufficient sparkle to cymbals and high-frequency instruments, contributing to the overall warm-neutral sound signature. Overall, the treble is adequate considering the overall tonality of the IEM.

I'd like to highlight that the IEM sounds great with the stock cable. However, I tried a few different cables with the Hiby Zeta just to see if it could bring about any difference/improvement. Most of the cables I tried (Dunu Hulk Pro Mini, Dita Oslo, Effect Audio EVO10, FiiO LC-RD Pro, Campfire Audio Super Smoky Litz) didn't bring much of an improvement, except for the FiiO LC-RE cable. I felt the Zeta sounded a little more balanced with the FiiO LC-RE cable, maybe because the gold in the LC-RE cable added to the sparkle of the Zeta.



The Hiby Zeta creates an immersive soundstage that adds depth and dimension to the listening experience. The spatial representation of instruments and vocals is impressive, creating a sense of openness that enhances the overall immersion. Instrument separation is top-notch, as one would expect from an IEM in this price range. Even in complex musical passages, each instrument maintains its distinctiveness, allowing one to genuinely appreciate the individual notes of the composition. The Zeta excels in layering, with each note occupying its own space in the sonic landscape. This contributes to a sense of depth and complexity, resulting in a holographic presentation that is highly engaging and immersive.

From a technical perspective, the Hiby Zeta demonstrates impressive dynamics and transient response. Fast-paced tracks are handled with precision, and the low noise floor ensures that even subtle details in the music are brought to the forefront.




Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Hiby Zeta IEMs are a testament to the brand's commitment to audio excellence. The impressive sound quality, combined with premium build quality and exceptional comfort, make the Zeta a worthy option for anyone who is looking for a TOTL IEM that is musical and exceptional in terms of technicalities.