Disclaimer:
The Hidizs H2 was sent to me by HiFiGo.com as part of a review tour in my country, in exchange for my honest opinion. I am neither paid by nor affiliated with HiFiGo or Hidizs in any way and have no incentive whatsoever, for writing anything positive or negative about the product. The views shared in this article are my personal views based on the week or so I spent with the Hidizs H2.
A bit about BT dacamps:
With the 3.5mm jack going extinct on present-day smartphones, a Bluetooth (BT) receiver / DAC and Amplifier (dacamp) for earphones and headphones has become more of a necessity than a luxury item that it was a few years ago. One might argue that the earphones that are bundled with mobile phones are sufficient, but in all honesty, these bundled earphones are usually crappy in terms of SQ and are just about manageable for voice calls. This is where these nifty little BT devices come into the picture. These usually have a mic in-built and connect to the mobile phone via Bluetooth.
Personally, I’ve been an early adopter and have used multiple BT receivers over the years. Be it the street style Jabra BT3030 or the ultra-utilitarian “Smart Bluetooth handsets” from Sony (MW1, SBH50, SBH52, SBH54) or the BTR series of dacamps from FiiO (BTR3, BTR3K, BTR5), I have at some point or the other used these receivers with my daily drivers. The Hidizs H2 is the latest offering from Hidizs in this space.
And now about the Hidizs H2
First things first, the H2 looks eerily similar to the Sony SBH24. I’d say it is probably a spiritual successor of the SBH24. But the button controls and features of the Hidizs H2 are quite different, which gives it a unique identity, instead of being just another imitation of the SBH24. Given the 50 USD price tag, this device has a lot packed into it:
(TMI: They got really intimate, there was some rubber wrapped around them at some point. I’m talking about the stacking bands that come with FiiO Q3 / Q5s, please don’t let your imagination run wild.)
Sound Quality:
The H2 is capable of delivering 8mW @ 32ohms, which is quite decent considering the price point. I used the device with a couple of IEMs including Shure SE215, iBasso IT00, Shouer Tape Pro; and my Shure SRH550DJ headphones. The H2 was able to drive all of them quite well given that these are fairly sensitive and relatively easy to drive. There wasn’t much difference in BT mode on LDAC / wired mode on USB in terms of SQ. The tonality is somewhat neutral and the soundstage is rather intimate. The frequencies were well balanced, hence I think it did a fair job with these devices. Something like the Etymotic ER2XR or oBravo Cupids would be a challenge for these given their output power.
Mic and Buttons:
The mic is pretty good for calls. It is as good as the BTR5’s mic, which IMO is the best mic on any BT dacamp available. Although background noise was picked up, my voice was clearly audible to the person on the other side of the call. The button controls are fairly simple and tactile. One can easily trace the buttons without looking at the device, should the H2 be placed in your pocket or clipped to your shirt.
Battery Life:
Perhaps my only concern with the H2 would be the battery life. On average, it lasted for about 3-4 hours of continuous usage (either listening to music or attending calls) on a full charge.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I’d say the HIDIZS H2 is a great BT receiver / dacamp for the asking price. The SQ is good on BT (LDAC) and USB, the mic is one of the best in this class of products (as good as BTR5) but the battery life could do better and NFC can do a lot better (by actually working) (I can’t afford to let my phone and the H2 get any more intimate.)
The Hidizs H2 was sent to me by HiFiGo.com as part of a review tour in my country, in exchange for my honest opinion. I am neither paid by nor affiliated with HiFiGo or Hidizs in any way and have no incentive whatsoever, for writing anything positive or negative about the product. The views shared in this article are my personal views based on the week or so I spent with the Hidizs H2.
A bit about BT dacamps:
With the 3.5mm jack going extinct on present-day smartphones, a Bluetooth (BT) receiver / DAC and Amplifier (dacamp) for earphones and headphones has become more of a necessity than a luxury item that it was a few years ago. One might argue that the earphones that are bundled with mobile phones are sufficient, but in all honesty, these bundled earphones are usually crappy in terms of SQ and are just about manageable for voice calls. This is where these nifty little BT devices come into the picture. These usually have a mic in-built and connect to the mobile phone via Bluetooth.
Personally, I’ve been an early adopter and have used multiple BT receivers over the years. Be it the street style Jabra BT3030 or the ultra-utilitarian “Smart Bluetooth handsets” from Sony (MW1, SBH50, SBH52, SBH54) or the BTR series of dacamps from FiiO (BTR3, BTR3K, BTR5), I have at some point or the other used these receivers with my daily drivers. The Hidizs H2 is the latest offering from Hidizs in this space.
And now about the Hidizs H2
First things first, the H2 looks eerily similar to the Sony SBH24. I’d say it is probably a spiritual successor of the SBH24. But the button controls and features of the Hidizs H2 are quite different, which gives it a unique identity, instead of being just another imitation of the SBH24. Given the 50 USD price tag, this device has a lot packed into it:
- It supports almost all Bluetooth audio codecs including LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX-LL, aptX, AAC, SBC, and UAT (Lossless codec from Hiby).
- It has a mic with 8th generation cVc noise cancellation tech for calls.
- It has Bluetooth 5.0 and supports multipoint connectivity.
- It can be used as a USB dacamp.
- It has a nice-looking N logo (as in NFC) displayed rather prominently. *
(TMI: They got really intimate, there was some rubber wrapped around them at some point. I’m talking about the stacking bands that come with FiiO Q3 / Q5s, please don’t let your imagination run wild.)
Sound Quality:
The H2 is capable of delivering 8mW @ 32ohms, which is quite decent considering the price point. I used the device with a couple of IEMs including Shure SE215, iBasso IT00, Shouer Tape Pro; and my Shure SRH550DJ headphones. The H2 was able to drive all of them quite well given that these are fairly sensitive and relatively easy to drive. There wasn’t much difference in BT mode on LDAC / wired mode on USB in terms of SQ. The tonality is somewhat neutral and the soundstage is rather intimate. The frequencies were well balanced, hence I think it did a fair job with these devices. Something like the Etymotic ER2XR or oBravo Cupids would be a challenge for these given their output power.
Mic and Buttons:
The mic is pretty good for calls. It is as good as the BTR5’s mic, which IMO is the best mic on any BT dacamp available. Although background noise was picked up, my voice was clearly audible to the person on the other side of the call. The button controls are fairly simple and tactile. One can easily trace the buttons without looking at the device, should the H2 be placed in your pocket or clipped to your shirt.
Battery Life:
Perhaps my only concern with the H2 would be the battery life. On average, it lasted for about 3-4 hours of continuous usage (either listening to music or attending calls) on a full charge.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I’d say the HIDIZS H2 is a great BT receiver / dacamp for the asking price. The SQ is good on BT (LDAC) and USB, the mic is one of the best in this class of products (as good as BTR5) but the battery life could do better and NFC can do a lot better (by actually working) (I can’t afford to let my phone and the H2 get any more intimate.)
Hidizs is a old and known brand among audiophiles, they have been around since 2009.Their portable music player offerings like AP80 and AP80 pro was regarded for their outstanding sonic capabilities. Following the same theory of AP80, they came up with their small BT receiver , H2.
DISCLAIMER- The HIDIZS H2 is provided by the courtesy of HIFIGO as part of review tour in INDIA. But this subjective review of mine are my own thoughts and I am not being paid anything to say positive or negative about this . That said I want to thank HIFIGO for giving me an opportunity to hear it!!! You can find the store link (not affiliated, of course LOL)
UNBOXING-
Just had a small box in which there was this small tiny unit with a protective case behind and a small usb c-c cable
BUILD AND SIZE-
This is a very very light unit , even with the case it might be lighter than some iems ( cough cough ikko Oh10
)
It’s tempered glass on front and back with a plastic build all over. The plastic is matte black and the glass in front seems like a true fingerprint magnet
UNIT TOUR (HEHE)
1)Buttons-
3)A single LED on the side to show pairing and what bitrate the file is playing.
4)A single 3.5 MM Jack for connecting to a wired headphone or iem.
SPECS AND THOUGHTS -
1) Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm CSR8675
2) Amp Chip: MAX 97220(Not great choice !!!)
3) Bluetooth Codecs: UAT, APTX-HD, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS, CVC (loved this at this price range it nearly has everything)
The different states indicated by the color of the LED are as follows:
)
5) Microphone for Handsfree Calling (It also has a mic for taking calls and it’s not as good as BTR5 mic but its decent and pretty doable to use for calls, just make sure it’s a little quiet environment)
6) 3.5mm stereo Port
7) Battery Capacity: 160Mah(Very less haha but this small package its pretty good!!!)
8) Battery Life: 7 hrs(NOPE ITS MORE LIKE 2 hours with LDAC and an efficient IEM ) ; Charging Time: 1.5 hrs( yup that’s true haha!!
)
9) App Support: Hiby Blue App( Not that good of an app , lacks some decent functionality & a little buggy too)
10) PRICE- 65$
BATTERY LIFE-
Now using this with efficient iems it was good surprisingly and I was able to get about 1hour 53mins with CA Mammoth with BT with LDAC with my LG G8x
On using this with DUNU Zen – it came down to around 1hour27mins with same LDAC and G8x
On using with N6ii with UAT on- they showed DUNU ZEN- about 1hour 18mins & CA MAMMOTH- about 1hour 35mins
On using with SBC with LG G8x- it gave 5hours 14mins for my run with tidal with CA Mammoth.
POWER-
It has very very less power. It could drive CA MAMMOTH, focal clears and DUNU ZEN but they felt very lacking in SQ a lot. DON’T EXPECT IT TO RUN YOUR IEMS OR HEADPHONES TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL UNLESS IT’S A VERY EFFICIENT ONE (even BLON-03 felt a bit lacking was it power or sound well for that you have check the sound section
)
FUNCTIONALITY-
This has multi-connect and support for multiple codecs which at this price range very few do. But if you don’t pause on first device and play the other device connected, it doesn’t play, you have to pause on the first device and then it will play from the other device.
The Bluetooth range is pretty good too, measured about 14feet in a straight line from my phone but going through 2 x 35cm walls is just not possible. Through one wall though it was fine with occasional cutting out if you go beyond 6 feet after that wall.
The USB C-C cable is similar to what I have from FIIO but they are decently made and feels fine enough just not as robust as FIIO ones but for the price they are decent. The also needs to be connected at a particular direction for them to work so if it doesn’t work just reverse and try again HAHA….(don’t know why companies do this but okayyy, I guess to stop powering them from phone maybe, is my only guess
)
SOUND QUALITY-(NOTE: This is subjective and it was done with BT mode and USB DAC mode too( Didn’t find much difference) and the iems used are CA MAMMOTH, DUNU ZEN and HP- FOCAL CLEAR AND SENNHEISER HD558)
The Bass has a midbass boost giving the idea of punch but given the lack of power it seems hollow a lot. Its not like its not there but it feels a bit non exciting and dull. The texture is not present much but the dynamic is average!! Tonally its fine with good differentiation between different instruments present here. Timbre is also lacking
The subbass is definitely lacking. It doesn’t produce that rumble that I even felt with BTR5 or even my phones 3.5mm jack.
Mids are much better but presents a slightly V shaped signature. Now this is really good with iems like Mammoth to give a sense of space but they are just not exciting much here. The mids tonality is good but the timbre suffers a lot here. The dynamics is there but its average or below it at best. Owing to the lack of power is what it suffers a lot but if they would have made them mids forwards then might be the loss in power could have compensated it. The vocals on the other hand are above average, the male vocals have the weight and female vocals are just nicely balanced. Don’t expect them to sound lush but they are pretty good for the price. The microdetails are there but very difficult to identify at good listening levels showing the lack of power.
Treble is better though. Its airy and doesn’t seem to be lacking much. The resolution and timbre yes, they are average at best but the tonality of flutes, sax, trumpets etc are pretty good. They need more of that treble energy and sparkle which was missing here. They don’t extend that well in to the upper treble ranges but given the price its decent. They macro-details are good with dynamics better than the bass here but micro details are not that great especially with the small bells in some songs.
Soundstage is decent with more like slightly V shaped signature. Imaging is diffuse and resolution is good rather. There is air in instruments but owing the lack of power, this thing doesn’t provide the emotions needed to enjoy the more heavy metals or rock or even good jazz tracks. But acoustic solos and instrumentals are better here if you can compromise a few caveats. Best thing is instruments though are nearby I didn’t feel any mid-bass bleed. The congestion in notes or instruments was not present much, which is a good plus in my book.
COMPARISON-
Now I don't have anything in the similar price offering given this much functionality for a comparison.
But BTR5 and QUEDELIX 5K are definitely way better that this but also comes at a higher cost. And I would have recommended UA1 if you wanna go cheap and have good SQ but its a dongle so not fair...
But I would recommend to save up for a BTR5 or QUEDELIX 5k since they would be much useful in the long run. Had the H2 work as a lineout this would have been a good option just to add to your DAC for functionality and adding BT.
SUMMARY- All in all , it’s the hidizs cheapest offering as a BT dac-amp and seems like they chose functionality over SQ for now. Given the hidizs new offerings have gained some fame, I guess they have become better. If you consider using this as a cheap option on the go its fine, you would need a very efficient iem though. But if you want the best sound quality, then I would suggest to look somewhere else.
DISCLAIMER- The HIDIZS H2 is provided by the courtesy of HIFIGO as part of review tour in INDIA. But this subjective review of mine are my own thoughts and I am not being paid anything to say positive or negative about this . That said I want to thank HIFIGO for giving me an opportunity to hear it!!! You can find the store link (not affiliated, of course LOL)
UNBOXING-
Just had a small box in which there was this small tiny unit with a protective case behind and a small usb c-c cable
BUILD AND SIZE-
This is a very very light unit , even with the case it might be lighter than some iems ( cough cough ikko Oh10
)It’s tempered glass on front and back with a plastic build all over. The plastic is matte black and the glass in front seems like a true fingerprint magnet
UNIT TOUR (HEHE)
1)Buttons-
- volume up and down in a single button with a slight bump to volume up button. It’s easily felt to my hands so it's good enough for me Even in pockets it was noticeable for me but a slightly higher bump would help when you have jeans on
- a single power button which doubles up as a pairing button too
3)A single LED on the side to show pairing and what bitrate the file is playing.
4)A single 3.5 MM Jack for connecting to a wired headphone or iem.
SPECS AND THOUGHTS -
1) Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm CSR8675
2) Amp Chip: MAX 97220(Not great choice !!!)
3) Bluetooth Codecs: UAT, APTX-HD, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS, CVC (loved this at this price range it nearly has everything)
The different states indicated by the color of the LED are as follows:
- Red flashing: on charging.
- Blue flashing: Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Green: 44.1kHz to 48kHz.
- Blue: 88.2kHz to 192kHz.
)
5) Microphone for Handsfree Calling (It also has a mic for taking calls and it’s not as good as BTR5 mic but its decent and pretty doable to use for calls, just make sure it’s a little quiet environment)
6) 3.5mm stereo Port
7) Battery Capacity: 160Mah(Very less haha but this small package its pretty good!!!)
8) Battery Life: 7 hrs(NOPE ITS MORE LIKE 2 hours with LDAC and an efficient IEM ) ; Charging Time: 1.5 hrs( yup that’s true haha!!
)9) App Support: Hiby Blue App( Not that good of an app , lacks some decent functionality & a little buggy too)
| Rated Output Power | 8mW+8mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-90Khz |
| Total Harmonic Distortion+Noise | 0.008%(1kHz) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 92dB |
| Crosstalk | 68dB (@32Ω) |
| Recommended Earphone Resistance Range | 8-60Ω (Recommended) |
BATTERY LIFE-
Now using this with efficient iems it was good surprisingly and I was able to get about 1hour 53mins with CA Mammoth with BT with LDAC with my LG G8x
On using this with DUNU Zen – it came down to around 1hour27mins with same LDAC and G8x
On using with N6ii with UAT on- they showed DUNU ZEN- about 1hour 18mins & CA MAMMOTH- about 1hour 35mins
On using with SBC with LG G8x- it gave 5hours 14mins for my run with tidal with CA Mammoth.
POWER-
It has very very less power. It could drive CA MAMMOTH, focal clears and DUNU ZEN but they felt very lacking in SQ a lot. DON’T EXPECT IT TO RUN YOUR IEMS OR HEADPHONES TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL UNLESS IT’S A VERY EFFICIENT ONE (even BLON-03 felt a bit lacking was it power or sound well for that you have check the sound section
)FUNCTIONALITY-
This has multi-connect and support for multiple codecs which at this price range very few do. But if you don’t pause on first device and play the other device connected, it doesn’t play, you have to pause on the first device and then it will play from the other device.
The Bluetooth range is pretty good too, measured about 14feet in a straight line from my phone but going through 2 x 35cm walls is just not possible. Through one wall though it was fine with occasional cutting out if you go beyond 6 feet after that wall.
The USB C-C cable is similar to what I have from FIIO but they are decently made and feels fine enough just not as robust as FIIO ones but for the price they are decent. The also needs to be connected at a particular direction for them to work so if it doesn’t work just reverse and try again HAHA….(don’t know why companies do this but okayyy, I guess to stop powering them from phone maybe, is my only guess
)
SOUND QUALITY-(NOTE: This is subjective and it was done with BT mode and USB DAC mode too( Didn’t find much difference) and the iems used are CA MAMMOTH, DUNU ZEN and HP- FOCAL CLEAR AND SENNHEISER HD558)
The Bass has a midbass boost giving the idea of punch but given the lack of power it seems hollow a lot. Its not like its not there but it feels a bit non exciting and dull. The texture is not present much but the dynamic is average!! Tonally its fine with good differentiation between different instruments present here. Timbre is also lacking
The subbass is definitely lacking. It doesn’t produce that rumble that I even felt with BTR5 or even my phones 3.5mm jack.
Mids are much better but presents a slightly V shaped signature. Now this is really good with iems like Mammoth to give a sense of space but they are just not exciting much here. The mids tonality is good but the timbre suffers a lot here. The dynamics is there but its average or below it at best. Owing to the lack of power is what it suffers a lot but if they would have made them mids forwards then might be the loss in power could have compensated it. The vocals on the other hand are above average, the male vocals have the weight and female vocals are just nicely balanced. Don’t expect them to sound lush but they are pretty good for the price. The microdetails are there but very difficult to identify at good listening levels showing the lack of power.
Treble is better though. Its airy and doesn’t seem to be lacking much. The resolution and timbre yes, they are average at best but the tonality of flutes, sax, trumpets etc are pretty good. They need more of that treble energy and sparkle which was missing here. They don’t extend that well in to the upper treble ranges but given the price its decent. They macro-details are good with dynamics better than the bass here but micro details are not that great especially with the small bells in some songs.
Soundstage is decent with more like slightly V shaped signature. Imaging is diffuse and resolution is good rather. There is air in instruments but owing the lack of power, this thing doesn’t provide the emotions needed to enjoy the more heavy metals or rock or even good jazz tracks. But acoustic solos and instrumentals are better here if you can compromise a few caveats. Best thing is instruments though are nearby I didn’t feel any mid-bass bleed. The congestion in notes or instruments was not present much
COMPARISON-
Now I don't have anything in the similar price offering given this much functionality for a comparison.
But BTR5 and QUEDELIX 5K are definitely way better that this but also comes at a higher cost. And I would have recommended UA1 if you wanna go cheap and have good SQ but its a dongle so not fair...
But I would recommend to save up for a BTR5 or QUEDELIX 5k since they would be much useful in the long run. Had the H2 work as a lineout this would have been a good option just to add to your DAC for functionality and adding BT.
SUMMARY- All in all , it’s the hidizs cheapest offering as a BT dac-amp and seems like they chose functionality over SQ for now. Given the hidizs new offerings have gained some fame, I guess they have become better. If you consider using this as a cheap option on the go its fine, you would need a very efficient iem though. But if you want the best sound quality, then I would suggest to look somewhere else.
Hidizs is a well known chinese brand in the earphone market producing a wide range of audio gears ranging from in ear monitors to DAC AMP. Now their latest offering in the budget DAC AMP is their H2 Bluetooth receiver and DAC AMP which boasts some serious specifications considering the price it is offered. For the price of 50USD the specifications seem very interesting and also seems to be a very promising product. In this review let’s see whether this H2 erewally stands up to the specifications and is it really worth the money you spend.
DISCLAIMER:
This unit has been given to me as a part of the review circle and hence this review is completely based on my opinion towards them and I have not been influenced to manipulate this review in any means. This opinion is subjective and it may vary to you and these impressions are based on my current setups and sources
Amp Chip: MAX 97220
Bluetooth Codecs: UAT, APTX-HD, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS, CVC
NFC support and USB DAC functionality via Type C
Microphone for Handsfree Calling
3.5mm stereo Port
Battery Capacity: 160Mah
Battery Life: 7 hrs
Charging Time: 1.5 hrs
App Support: Hiby Blue App
Output Power: 8mW
SNR: 92Db
The front side is very glossy and seems very scratch prone with a NFC logo on it. At the back side there is the branding .On the left side there are volume rockers and on the right side there is a power button used also as a pairing button. There is a status indicator on the same side indicating the charging status, power status and the sample rate decoding status.
At the top side there is the microphone and a 3.5mm single ended headphone jack. In the bottom side there is the USB Type C slot for charging the device and using the receiver as a DAC AMP in wired mode. The whole product can be protected from damages by wearing a clip provided in the box which has a nice sleek profile.
Green Light: 44.1KHz – 48KHz
Baby Blue Light: 88.2KHz – 192KHz
The main highlight of this product is that it has LDAC codec for such a cheap price! It’s the highest codec format available yet to transmit HiRes Audio Files via bluetooth format. It can transmit up to 990 Kbps which is of course still not the True Hi Res but something is better than nothing. The caveat here is that in LDAC mode I can get only 2-2.5 hrs of usage which is very less and of course we can’t compare to any other product at this price since no product supports LDAC. However on AAC mode with my iPhone I am able to achieve claimed 6-7 hrs of usage.
Through wired USB mode you don’t need to worry about the battery. You can transmit files up to 24 bit 96 kHz without any issues. No drivers are needed if you are planning to use this to your computer or Mac. For smartphones however if you wish you can install the HIBY BLUE app through which you can do EQ stuff and update the firmware of the product.
The other best feature of this is the Multi Point connect which is really underrated. I can now connect this receiver in USB mode to my computer and Bluetooth mode to my smart phone and it worked flawlessly.
The microphone is pretty good where it is also equipped with the CVC 8.0 Noise Reduction technology.
This receiver can also be used as an AUX mode where you can connect it to your car audio system and play your favourite songs from your smartphone ini high quality.
The SNR also seems not good. The noise floor is average. The products like Tempotec Sonata HD Pro which is quite cheaper than this has very nice sound output with above average power output but it doesn’t have other functionalities that the H2 provides.
The bass is average and not worth the price they quote. They sound very flat in the bass region with very little resolution and the soundstage is very intimate and squared out. The mids are not revealing and the tonality is average. The high extension is not that good and the separation is mediocre. Overall in the sound department it just disappoints me. Even for a lesser price there are many USB dongles which provide above average sound quality which I can easily recommend over this.
DISCLAIMER:
This unit has been given to me as a part of the review circle and hence this review is completely based on my opinion towards them and I have not been influenced to manipulate this review in any means. This opinion is subjective and it may vary to you and these impressions are based on my current setups and sources
SPECIFICATIONS:
Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm CSR8675Amp Chip: MAX 97220
Bluetooth Codecs: UAT, APTX-HD, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS, CVC
NFC support and USB DAC functionality via Type C
Microphone for Handsfree Calling
3.5mm stereo Port
Battery Capacity: 160Mah
Battery Life: 7 hrs
Charging Time: 1.5 hrs
App Support: Hiby Blue App
Output Power: 8mW
SNR: 92Db
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
- A Type C Cable
- Back Clip
- User Manual
- Warranty Card
- Type C to Type C Cable
DESIGN:
The design is very compact and portable. Instead of using the plastic they have used the resin material which will improve the durability of the product. It’s a one piece German Makrolon Resin Housing and available in two colours namely Black and White.The front side is very glossy and seems very scratch prone with a NFC logo on it. At the back side there is the branding .On the left side there are volume rockers and on the right side there is a power button used also as a pairing button. There is a status indicator on the same side indicating the charging status, power status and the sample rate decoding status.
At the top side there is the microphone and a 3.5mm single ended headphone jack. In the bottom side there is the USB Type C slot for charging the device and using the receiver as a DAC AMP in wired mode. The whole product can be protected from damages by wearing a clip provided in the box which has a nice sleek profile.
FUNCTIONALITY:
LED DECODING STATUS:Green Light: 44.1KHz – 48KHz
Baby Blue Light: 88.2KHz – 192KHz
The main highlight of this product is that it has LDAC codec for such a cheap price! It’s the highest codec format available yet to transmit HiRes Audio Files via bluetooth format. It can transmit up to 990 Kbps which is of course still not the True Hi Res but something is better than nothing. The caveat here is that in LDAC mode I can get only 2-2.5 hrs of usage which is very less and of course we can’t compare to any other product at this price since no product supports LDAC. However on AAC mode with my iPhone I am able to achieve claimed 6-7 hrs of usage.
Through wired USB mode you don’t need to worry about the battery. You can transmit files up to 24 bit 96 kHz without any issues. No drivers are needed if you are planning to use this to your computer or Mac. For smartphones however if you wish you can install the HIBY BLUE app through which you can do EQ stuff and update the firmware of the product.
The other best feature of this is the Multi Point connect which is really underrated. I can now connect this receiver in USB mode to my computer and Bluetooth mode to my smart phone and it worked flawlessly.
The microphone is pretty good where it is also equipped with the CVC 8.0 Noise Reduction technology.
This receiver can also be used as an AUX mode where you can connect it to your car audio system and play your favourite songs from your smartphone ini high quality.
SOUND:
After all these mind blowing price to performance features when comes to the sound this is very disappointing. It has weak power output claiming 8 Mw @ 32 ohms. They claim that you can use the headphones upto 60 ohms but in reality it’s not true. Even for a 32 ohms earphone the power feels pretty weak and you need to push the volume to the near max to get average sound. If you are having a very sensitive iem’s then it will be ok but if you are having any power demanding earphones then you need to look somewhere else.The SNR also seems not good. The noise floor is average. The products like Tempotec Sonata HD Pro which is quite cheaper than this has very nice sound output with above average power output but it doesn’t have other functionalities that the H2 provides.
The bass is average and not worth the price they quote. They sound very flat in the bass region with very little resolution and the soundstage is very intimate and squared out. The mids are not revealing and the tonality is average. The high extension is not that good and the separation is mediocre. Overall in the sound department it just disappoints me. Even for a lesser price there are many USB dongles which provide above average sound quality which I can easily recommend over this.
VERDICT:
H2 Bluetooth DAC AMP Receiver , a latest offering from the Hidizs team clearly proves that their product is designed for practicality over performance. They boast some serious specifications like the LDAC, Multi point connect, USB DAC mode with Bluetooth Mode, App support, Microphone Functionality etc but when comes to the pure audio output this is purely disappointing especially the AMP power is pretty low considering the price where even a 10$ dongle can beat this in terms of sheer power and audio. The Hidizs have dumped their lot of money in providing a nice set of features over the sound output which is suitable for some group of audience like mass consumers but seeing this in an audiophile perspective the sound matters the most. Hence this product is just a feature set according to me and for pure sound output I would even pick the Apple lightning single ended dongle, Sonata HD Pro and many other budget chi-fi dongles over this one
Disclaimer : The unit has been provided by Hifigo as a part of a review tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can purchase the product here.
Build Quality
Bluetooth receivers/DACs of this class are usually very compact and H2 is no exception. It is tiny and weighs as much as a bag of air.
It is tiny enough to be misplaced so be sure to keep it in the included clip on case. Build for the price is premium as it features glass front and back.
Overall build is good for its asking price of 50 USD.
Functionality
H2 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and Qualcomm CSR8675 receiver chip which is highly regarded. It supports aptX HD and even for 24 bit audio and even LDAC as well. You can monitor the sampling rate with a status LED.
Green for 44.1-48 kHz and Blue for 88.2-192 kHz. For the amp section it is equipped with the uncommon MAX97220.
Battery life is rated at 7H but based on my usage that figure is a bit too generous and is probably rated when AAC is used. With LDAC, I was getting around 2h of usage. The battery life will be more for aptX and even more
for AAC. USB-DAC functionality is seamless as tested on my Windows 10 laptop and desktop, no drivers needed. A really cool handy feature is that the H2 features 2 device connects simultaneously. I found it particularly useful
when I had it plugged in laptop using USB and had it connect to my phone via bluetooth as well.
The volume key is a single long unit and it isn't raised enough for ease of use. Neither is it ribbed which would have made pressing the keys easier inside the pocket. If you don't fancy keeping it in your pocket,
you can have it clipped to your shirt which is the intended way as it has a mic which is completely serviceable, though nothing great. It does a decent job cutting out background noise but makes the voice appear slightly processed. But totally serviceable.
Performance
The MAX97220 implemented here pushes 8mW per channel at 32 ohm, so it is imperative to stick to the most efficient IEMs or Headphones while using the H2.
When it came to delivering, I found H2 to deliver adequately for the price. It is certainly not the best in class. Amp performance takes a back seat as you are mostly paying for the bluetooth link and extensive support of Codecs.
In a similar price range, the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro provided considerably superior sound but that was a wired only dongle. Speaking upon the sound in more detail : the bass region is a bit limp, the overall sound is a bit boxy and closed in
with raw detail being brushed over. The tonality however is agreeable as a whole without sounding bright or steely as many such products in this price range tend to sound like. It is not much dynamic (it pushes 8mW at 32 ohm) and overall stage
production is on the flat side. I would stick to 32 ohm or lesser impedances and high sensitivity IEMs/Headphones for optimum performance.
Conclusion
It is a nifty little product that comes at an affordable price. A compact lossless bluetooth receiver has many use cases and the H2 performs satisfactorily for the price. My only gripe is the subpar battery life, but hey, there's only that much
battery you can fit in such a small factor.
Build Quality
Bluetooth receivers/DACs of this class are usually very compact and H2 is no exception. It is tiny and weighs as much as a bag of air.
It is tiny enough to be misplaced so be sure to keep it in the included clip on case. Build for the price is premium as it features glass front and back.
Overall build is good for its asking price of 50 USD.
Functionality
H2 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and Qualcomm CSR8675 receiver chip which is highly regarded. It supports aptX HD and even for 24 bit audio and even LDAC as well. You can monitor the sampling rate with a status LED.
Green for 44.1-48 kHz and Blue for 88.2-192 kHz. For the amp section it is equipped with the uncommon MAX97220.
Battery life is rated at 7H but based on my usage that figure is a bit too generous and is probably rated when AAC is used. With LDAC, I was getting around 2h of usage. The battery life will be more for aptX and even more
for AAC. USB-DAC functionality is seamless as tested on my Windows 10 laptop and desktop, no drivers needed. A really cool handy feature is that the H2 features 2 device connects simultaneously. I found it particularly useful
when I had it plugged in laptop using USB and had it connect to my phone via bluetooth as well.
The volume key is a single long unit and it isn't raised enough for ease of use. Neither is it ribbed which would have made pressing the keys easier inside the pocket. If you don't fancy keeping it in your pocket,
you can have it clipped to your shirt which is the intended way as it has a mic which is completely serviceable, though nothing great. It does a decent job cutting out background noise but makes the voice appear slightly processed. But totally serviceable.
Performance
The MAX97220 implemented here pushes 8mW per channel at 32 ohm, so it is imperative to stick to the most efficient IEMs or Headphones while using the H2.
When it came to delivering, I found H2 to deliver adequately for the price. It is certainly not the best in class. Amp performance takes a back seat as you are mostly paying for the bluetooth link and extensive support of Codecs.
In a similar price range, the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro provided considerably superior sound but that was a wired only dongle. Speaking upon the sound in more detail : the bass region is a bit limp, the overall sound is a bit boxy and closed in
with raw detail being brushed over. The tonality however is agreeable as a whole without sounding bright or steely as many such products in this price range tend to sound like. It is not much dynamic (it pushes 8mW at 32 ohm) and overall stage
production is on the flat side. I would stick to 32 ohm or lesser impedances and high sensitivity IEMs/Headphones for optimum performance.
Conclusion
It is a nifty little product that comes at an affordable price. A compact lossless bluetooth receiver has many use cases and the H2 performs satisfactorily for the price. My only gripe is the subpar battery life, but hey, there's only that much
battery you can fit in such a small factor.
Introduction and Disclaimer:
The Hidizs H2 is a Bluetooth receiver with a single 3.5mm output. It normally retails for $64.99. The H2 was provided to me by HiFiGo in exchange for a fair and objective review.Packaging and Accessories:
The Hidizs H2 comes in a small black rectangular cardboard box. The front of the box is marked with the Hidizs, LDAC, Hi-Res Audio, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless logos. The H2’s specifications are provided on the rear of the box in English and Chinese. The Hidizs H2 includes a small semi-translucent protective case with a spring-loaded attachment clip on the rear, which I found very functional. It also includes a USB-C to USB-A charging cable and a USB C-C cable with the same purple marking found on the Hidizs S9’s included C-C cable. The package also includes a user manual, a discount code for Hidizs’ shop, and a quality control pass chit.
Design and Build Quality:
The Hidizs H2 is a diminutive device, about 3.2 CM in height and width and 1 CM in depth. It has a black mirrored finish on the front and rear faces which are unfortunately fingerprint magnets. The front of the H2 is bare apart from the NFC logo. The rear is emblazoned with the Hidizs logo and the text “ H2 BLUETOOTH DAC AMP HIDIZS TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD” in silver.
The power button is found on the right side of the Hidizs H2, while the volume control is on the left side. There is a lighted indicator for power status and sample rate above the power button. The bottom face of the H2 contains a USB-C charging port, and the mic opening is on the top face.
User Interface:
You turn on the H2 by holding down the power button. If you continue to hold down the power button for a few more seconds after the H2 turns on, the H2 will enter pairing mode. I was not able to get the H2’s advertised NFC pairing function to work with my Google Pixel 3.The H2’s power button also acts as a play and pause button with short presses. The H2 has physical volume controls with long-press fast-forward and rewind functions. The H2’s volume control is extremely low profile and I would have preferred there to be more of a standoff between the volume control and the H2’s housing.
Functionality:
The H2’s Bluetooth range is very respectable. There were several times during my evaluation where I left the floor of the house my phone was on and traverse to the opposite end of the adjoining floor before realizing I had forgotten my phone because the H2’s signal began to cut out. The Hidizs H2 does not respect being de-selected as the active Bluetooth device and will reassert itself as the active Bluetooth device without user input.
The Hidizs H2 also incorporates an auto-pause on disconnect feature, which is something I would like to see on more devices in general, both Bluetooth and otherwise. The H2 has decent battery life, between 6 and 7 hours using LDAC. I did experience a series of seemingly random pauses early in my evaluation of the H2, which stopped after using the H2 for a few weeks. I have no explanation for what was causing this behavior or why it stopped.
The Hidizs H2’s included USB C-C cable is of the same sacrilegious, undirectional variety detailed in my Hidizs S9 review. However, unlike the S9, the H2 does not support USB C-C charging with properly implemented cables, nor does not work as a USB DAC with a USB C-C connection, either with my phone or with my PC. The H2 does not produce any humming or buzzing noises when charging and playing simultaneously. The Hidizs H2 must be manually powered on for use as a USB DAC, which I feel is a missed opportunity.
Sound:
The Hidizs H2 has serviceable sound quality for the price, with no audible frequency response deviations. However, while using the H2, I consistently felt like I was missing out on musical details I could hear with higher-end USB-C dongles like the E1DA 9038 variants or the Hidizs S9, or even the Qudelix 5K over Bluetooth. The amount of power on tap was adequate for any of the in-ear monitors I used with it, but I would not want to power a full-size headphone with the H2.App:
The Hiby Blue app is pitiful in comparison to the wealth of options afforded by the Qudelix app. The only real functionality it offers is real-time, detailed battery status, sample rate, codec, and signal strength information. Equalization options are limited to a fixed Q-value five-band equalizer, which is basically worthless.Concluding Thoughts:
Though relatively inexpensive, I cannot recommend the Hidizs H2. Between the broken USB-C implementation, non-functional NFC, average battery life, uncompetitive companion app, and mediocre sound, there are too many drawbacks and compromises. Just save for a Qudelix 5K.
The Hidizs H2 can be purchased below:
Hidizs H2 Lossless Bluetooth Receiver — HiFiGo
If you found this review useful, please consider checking out my blog: https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews/
Introduction :
Hidizs is a very famous brand among audiophiles, they have been around since 2009 and their AP80 and AP80 pro was a true game changer with outstanding sonic capabilities. Following the same design theory of AP80, they came up with an affordable BT receiver, H2. On paper, it supports everything ranging from CVC to UAT, microphone, volume controls and NFC pairing.
Disclaimer :
The review was tested at 65$ and all the judgement was made keeping the exact same price in mind. We're not responsible for any price change that might alter this review.
This item was graciously provided by HiFiGo for review in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. The review was written by the team in our own accord and no thoughts or judgements were altered in any way.
Purchasable link :
HiFiGo (Global Market)
Specifications :
Source : Hidizs.
Unboxing and accessories :
Since this was provided by HiFiGo for review purposes, no sort of packaging was provided apart from H2, rear clip and a USB C cable. Apart from paper work, we are not missing much here. The H2 comes in quite a fancy packaging with accessories which are enough for charging, connecting H2 as DAC and clipping it around. Box accessory set includes:
The Hidizs H2 is a very small and compact BT receiver/DAC, for a quick comparison it is equivalent to a SD card adapter in height and just a tad bit more in width. Since it comes in a square shape, it makes it very easy to carry around in a pocket. H2 is very light weight coming in at only 12 grams. The body of H2 is made out of resin with glass finish on front and back.
The front of H2 boasts a simple and clean design with only NFC logo without any sort of distractions like blinking lights or display. Personally, we are a fan of clean and elegant designs and H2 definitely looks like a small piece of art when held in hands.
On the bottom you can find USB C which can be used for both charging the H2 as well as plugging it in DAC mode. The DAC mode supports plug and play without any external driver requirements (more on that later). On the top you can find a microphone as well as single ended output which supports a maximum power delivery of 16mW combined. On the left side you have your volume rockers and on the right side you can find a power button along with a sample rate indicator.
Battery :
AAC Tested ( 5 Hours )
LDAC Tested ( 2.5 Hours )
Sound Quality and amplification :
Amplification : The SNR value of 92dB and low power output didn’t seem that attractive on paper until we tried it. The signal is surprisingly clean although it definitely lacks some power in the sub-bass region. The amplification is done by MAX97220 chip with a total power output of 16mW.
Sound : The overall sound quality of H2 is very neutral and transparent. H2 presented songs in a very neutral manner without any sort of coloration which is always appreciated.
Bass : Although, the sound is fairly neutral but a lack of energy was felt in the sub-bass region when compared with BTR5, AP80 and BTR3 (Not to mention that these devices also cost a lot more). The lack of sub-bass was not prominent until some tracks really demanded it like “Run The Jewels - Oh mama” and it’s very hard to make out a difference but it’s there. Mid-bass slams are perfect and natural.
Mids : The mid range is delivered fairly detailed and neutral. The vocals sound natural without any weird harshness or peaks. The male vocals have the heft that is required and female vocals also sound natural without getting too thin. Overall, H2 delivers quite a respectable midrange.
Highs : The higher frequencies are very well extended and airy. Cymbals and high hats don’t sound sibilant or aggressive. On some complex tracks like “Pink Floyd - Echoes” the imaging seemed a little bit fuzzy but it would be nitpicking at this price point.
Soundstage : is wide and tracks don’t sound congested. Different instruments have space in them and complements the imaging well. It’s not very holographic as it lacks some height but overall it’s a big step up from regular smartphone DAC.
Connectivity :
Now this is where things get interesting, for 65$ you’re getting all sorts of Bluetooth codecs ranging from UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS to CVC. The Hidizs H2 can act as a BT receiver as well as USB DAC. Hidizs H2 supports Hiby blue app which is available on both iOS and Android but due to some reasons it didn’t seem to work on iOS at the time of writing this review. The app is very well designed and shows the BT codec it’s playing along with battery left. The app also supports EQ/gain settings/firmware update which is very handy for a device like this.
USB DAC mode :
The DAC mode of H2 extends quite well from Android, Windows, macOS to iPadOS. All you need is a USB C to C or USB C to A cable which comes out of the box. The cherry on the top is that you don’t need support of any external device driver for H2 to perform its just plug and play which not only saves time but also good for consumers who don’t like to fiddle a lot around settings. When plugged in Windows the maximum sample rate it supports is 16bits 48kHz which can be a bummer for many. It does play higher sample rate files without issues but this is the limitation of the device which needs to be pointed out.
Plug’n’play support.
Bluetooth mode :
Pairing up H2 with your smartphone is very simple and quick. To pair H2 with your phone, you’ve to keep pressing the power button until it says pairing mode. The H2 was paired with both iOS and Android. In our testing, no connection dropouts or delay was noticed. On Android devices, H2 can easily be paired with NFC. H2 supports all BT codecs and that’s the USP of H2.
Pairings :
Conclusion :
H2 costs only 65$ and provides excellent price to performance ratio. It supports all possible Bluetooth codecs, works as a dongle DAC, has microphone for calls. Overall, H2 is a very versatile player and can be great stepping stone in the audio hobby without spending a lot. It does sound great with decent battery life and ticks almost all the boxes. Only thing that brings this down is power limitations and you can't pair this with hard to drive IEMs. Something like Etymotic ER2XR would totally sound under powered with it.
Rated :
All grades are given keeping price to performance ratio in mind, better grade doesn't mean it's the best.
Hidizs is a very famous brand among audiophiles, they have been around since 2009 and their AP80 and AP80 pro was a true game changer with outstanding sonic capabilities. Following the same design theory of AP80, they came up with an affordable BT receiver, H2. On paper, it supports everything ranging from CVC to UAT, microphone, volume controls and NFC pairing.
Disclaimer :
The review was tested at 65$ and all the judgement was made keeping the exact same price in mind. We're not responsible for any price change that might alter this review.
This item was graciously provided by HiFiGo for review in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. The review was written by the team in our own accord and no thoughts or judgements were altered in any way.
Purchasable link :
HiFiGo (Global Market)
Specifications :
Source : Hidizs.
Unboxing and accessories :
Since this was provided by HiFiGo for review purposes, no sort of packaging was provided apart from H2, rear clip and a USB C cable. Apart from paper work, we are not missing much here. The H2 comes in quite a fancy packaging with accessories which are enough for charging, connecting H2 as DAC and clipping it around. Box accessory set includes:
- H2
- Clipping case
- USB C to C
- USB C to A
- User manual
- Warranty cards
The Hidizs H2 is a very small and compact BT receiver/DAC, for a quick comparison it is equivalent to a SD card adapter in height and just a tad bit more in width. Since it comes in a square shape, it makes it very easy to carry around in a pocket. H2 is very light weight coming in at only 12 grams. The body of H2 is made out of resin with glass finish on front and back.
The front of H2 boasts a simple and clean design with only NFC logo without any sort of distractions like blinking lights or display. Personally, we are a fan of clean and elegant designs and H2 definitely looks like a small piece of art when held in hands.
On the bottom you can find USB C which can be used for both charging the H2 as well as plugging it in DAC mode. The DAC mode supports plug and play without any external driver requirements (more on that later). On the top you can find a microphone as well as single ended output which supports a maximum power delivery of 16mW combined. On the left side you have your volume rockers and on the right side you can find a power button along with a sample rate indicator.
Battery :
AAC Tested ( 5 Hours )
LDAC Tested ( 2.5 Hours )
Sound Quality and amplification :
Amplification : The SNR value of 92dB and low power output didn’t seem that attractive on paper until we tried it. The signal is surprisingly clean although it definitely lacks some power in the sub-bass region. The amplification is done by MAX97220 chip with a total power output of 16mW.
Sound : The overall sound quality of H2 is very neutral and transparent. H2 presented songs in a very neutral manner without any sort of coloration which is always appreciated.
Bass : Although, the sound is fairly neutral but a lack of energy was felt in the sub-bass region when compared with BTR5, AP80 and BTR3 (Not to mention that these devices also cost a lot more). The lack of sub-bass was not prominent until some tracks really demanded it like “Run The Jewels - Oh mama” and it’s very hard to make out a difference but it’s there. Mid-bass slams are perfect and natural.
Mids : The mid range is delivered fairly detailed and neutral. The vocals sound natural without any weird harshness or peaks. The male vocals have the heft that is required and female vocals also sound natural without getting too thin. Overall, H2 delivers quite a respectable midrange.
Highs : The higher frequencies are very well extended and airy. Cymbals and high hats don’t sound sibilant or aggressive. On some complex tracks like “Pink Floyd - Echoes” the imaging seemed a little bit fuzzy but it would be nitpicking at this price point.
Soundstage : is wide and tracks don’t sound congested. Different instruments have space in them and complements the imaging well. It’s not very holographic as it lacks some height but overall it’s a big step up from regular smartphone DAC.
Connectivity :
Now this is where things get interesting, for 65$ you’re getting all sorts of Bluetooth codecs ranging from UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS to CVC. The Hidizs H2 can act as a BT receiver as well as USB DAC. Hidizs H2 supports Hiby blue app which is available on both iOS and Android but due to some reasons it didn’t seem to work on iOS at the time of writing this review. The app is very well designed and shows the BT codec it’s playing along with battery left. The app also supports EQ/gain settings/firmware update which is very handy for a device like this.
USB DAC mode :
The DAC mode of H2 extends quite well from Android, Windows, macOS to iPadOS. All you need is a USB C to C or USB C to A cable which comes out of the box. The cherry on the top is that you don’t need support of any external device driver for H2 to perform its just plug and play which not only saves time but also good for consumers who don’t like to fiddle a lot around settings. When plugged in Windows the maximum sample rate it supports is 16bits 48kHz which can be a bummer for many. It does play higher sample rate files without issues but this is the limitation of the device which needs to be pointed out.
Bluetooth mode :
Pairing up H2 with your smartphone is very simple and quick. To pair H2 with your phone, you’ve to keep pressing the power button until it says pairing mode. The H2 was paired with both iOS and Android. In our testing, no connection dropouts or delay was noticed. On Android devices, H2 can easily be paired with NFC. H2 supports all BT codecs and that’s the USP of H2.
Pairings :
- H2 + Moondrop Starfields
- H2 + Thieaudio Legacy 3
- H2 + FiiO FH3
- H2 + NiceHCK EBX21
Conclusion :
H2 costs only 65$ and provides excellent price to performance ratio. It supports all possible Bluetooth codecs, works as a dongle DAC, has microphone for calls. Overall, H2 is a very versatile player and can be great stepping stone in the audio hobby without spending a lot. It does sound great with decent battery life and ticks almost all the boxes. Only thing that brings this down is power limitations and you can't pair this with hard to drive IEMs. Something like Etymotic ER2XR would totally sound under powered with it.
Rated :
All grades are given keeping price to performance ratio in mind, better grade doesn't mean it's the best.
Disclaimer:
The unit is provided by HiFiGo for review purposes. If you’d like to purchase the H2, it is available from HiFiGo for USD $65.
Build and Design:
The H2 is extremely small to hold in hands. The weight is 12 grams so that helps.
On the left, you will see a single but multiple functions holding button. It acts a Power button, Play/Pause, or Call-answer feature.
On the right, you will see the volume rocker and next/previous button. The bottom sports the USB-C type port and the top has the Single-Ended Output in the form of 3.5 mm jack.
The LED indicator is also on the left side. It has the following features:
Technical Specifications:
How do the Bluetooth fares:
The H2 caters to major Bluetooth codec that includes UAT, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC and AAC. The H2 supports dual device support and becomes a really handy device if you are dealing with work-from-home in these pandemic times. The signal stays very stable and has a range of up to 10 meters. The range will drop at the use of higher codecs and is mentioned on the Hidizs website as well. Also, there is a latency observed while playing games like PUBG.
Performance:
The H2 was able to drive all my iem’s…KBear Believe, BGVP DN2, AD700x, Senn HD 598 CS, and a handful of earbuds. There was a noticeable difference between my Galaxy S10.
Battery Consumption:
H2 has decent battery consumption:
You can download the Hiby Blue app from the Playstore to connect H2 and easily monitor its functions.
Sound Impressions:
Bass:
The lows offer a fuller feel to it. It makes for a more musical presentation than what you have gotten from your mobile phone. The tone is warmish and laid back. The snares are not congested and the bass has meat to it.
Mids:
Because of the warmish nature, the Mids has moderate airiness and extension to it. The mids sound above average than your regular mobile phones and the notes are full. I would not say that these provide you with lush vocals but H2 does the job.
Highs:
Treble is laid back and warm. It is also relatively airy than you average mobile phone.
Soundstage:
The soundstage is wide but it lacks depth. These provide you ample space for complex tracks so that they do not sound as congested as they usually do.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking for a cost-effective and ultra-portable Bluetooth enabled dac/amp, that has NFC as well…well look no further mates…
The unit is provided by HiFiGo for review purposes. If you’d like to purchase the H2, it is available from HiFiGo for USD $65.
Build and Design:
The H2 is extremely small to hold in hands. The weight is 12 grams so that helps.
On the left, you will see a single but multiple functions holding button. It acts a Power button, Play/Pause, or Call-answer feature.
On the right, you will see the volume rocker and next/previous button. The bottom sports the USB-C type port and the top has the Single-Ended Output in the form of 3.5 mm jack.
The LED indicator is also on the left side. It has the following features:
- Red flashing: on charging.
- Blue flashing: Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Green: 44.1kHz to 48kHz.
- Blue: 88.2kHz to 192kHz.
Technical Specifications:
| Bluetooth Chip | Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth Chip |
| Amp Chip | MAX97220 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBS, CVC |
| Status LED | Support |
| Body Material & Color | One-piece German Makrolon Resin Housing(Black, White) |
| NFC One-Touch Pairing | Support |
| USB DAC | Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS |
| Transmission Interface | Type-C |
| Power/pairing/play/pause | Dedicated Button |
| Vol+-/Previous track/Next track | Dedicated Button |
| Wired Earphones | Support |
| Hands-free Call/Mic | Support |
| Transmission Distance | Approx.10m(at open area). Within 4m for UAT & LDAC. |
| Battery Capacity | 160mAh |
| Battery Life | 7h |
| Charing Time | 1.5h |
| Power Adapter | DC 5V 2A is recommended |
| HiBy Blue APP | Firmware update supported |
How do the Bluetooth fares:
The H2 caters to major Bluetooth codec that includes UAT, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC and AAC. The H2 supports dual device support and becomes a really handy device if you are dealing with work-from-home in these pandemic times. The signal stays very stable and has a range of up to 10 meters. The range will drop at the use of higher codecs and is mentioned on the Hidizs website as well. Also, there is a latency observed while playing games like PUBG.
Performance:
| Single-ended Headphone Output | Rated Output Power | 8mW+8mW@ |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-90Khz | |
| Total Harmonic Distortion+Noise | 0.008%(1kHz) | |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 92dB | |
| Crosstalk | 68dB (@32Ω) | |
| Recommended Earphone Resistance Range | 8-60Ω (Recommended) |
The H2 was able to drive all my iem’s…KBear Believe, BGVP DN2, AD700x, Senn HD 598 CS, and a handful of earbuds. There was a noticeable difference between my Galaxy S10.
Battery Consumption:
H2 has decent battery consumption:
- On APtx it lasted about 3 hours.
- On LDAC, it lasted about 2 hours.
- On AAc, it lasted 6 hours.
You can download the Hiby Blue app from the Playstore to connect H2 and easily monitor its functions.
Sound Impressions:
Bass:
The lows offer a fuller feel to it. It makes for a more musical presentation than what you have gotten from your mobile phone. The tone is warmish and laid back. The snares are not congested and the bass has meat to it.
Mids:
Because of the warmish nature, the Mids has moderate airiness and extension to it. The mids sound above average than your regular mobile phones and the notes are full. I would not say that these provide you with lush vocals but H2 does the job.
Highs:
Treble is laid back and warm. It is also relatively airy than you average mobile phone.
Soundstage:
The soundstage is wide but it lacks depth. These provide you ample space for complex tracks so that they do not sound as congested as they usually do.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking for a cost-effective and ultra-portable Bluetooth enabled dac/amp, that has NFC as well…well look no further mates…
Introduction
The H2 is Hidizs' answer to one of the most versatile products of the year. It is a DAC/Amp Bluetooth receiver, capable of being controlled by a APP. In this occasion the famous brand founded in 2009, breaks the deck with an unbeatable small size. Furthermore, it integrates NFC for easy pairing, microphone, 3 control buttons, a multicolor LED, Bluetooth 5.0 and the best Bluetooth codecs. It all looks very good, doesn't it? Yes, even its pre-sale price is. What else does this small device hide? Well, we'll see about that later.
Specifications
Packaging, Content, Construction and Design
The Hidizs H2 comes in a smooth, matt, black cardboard box, measuring 108x108x52mm. It is covered with protective transparent cellophane. On the top, the H2 is drawn with its outlines, in a darker engraving. In the corners there is the brand, model and other logos, in silver holographic ink. On the back, the features are specified, in Chinese and English, with the same silver ink. It does not look like the box of something so small and after removing it, the surprise is consumed. The H2 comes packed in cellophane and a cloth band allows it to be unwrapped from the protective mould. Under it, a cardboard cover that, after being lifted, shows the rest of the accessories. In short:
A cloth bag is missing to protect it from scratches or blows. Although the content is correct. The protective casing with clip is suitable and very useful for using the H2 as a hands-free device. The type-C to type-C USB cable is somewhat rigid and when bent has taken on that shape.
The body material is made of Makrolon resin from Germany. It is available in black or white. The device feels hard and compact, without creaking or gaps, very solid. Its weight is derisory, only 12g, as are its dimensions: 32x32x10mm. On the main side there is the brand logo, its name and the model. Below, the description of the device and, finally, the full name of the brand. On the back side, only the NFC logo, at the bottom. On the upper edge, on the left, is the 3.5mm SE output. In the centre, a hole in which the microphone is supposed to be located. These are two Qualcomm cVc microphones of the eighth generation in noise cancellation technology. It has a wide bandwidth to provide high quality voice calls in HD. At the left edge, in the centre, there is a round, multi-function button (On/Off). Underneath it, the multicoloured LED. On the right-hand edge there is a double button (+ and -), with a bulge on top, to identify the positive side. On the lower side, near the left corner, is the USB type C port.
The casing is adapted to the main face, held by clips to the rear face, leaving all controls free. It includes the hole to release the microphone. It has a spring clip and its colour is translucent, but somewhat cloudy. This component performs its function properly, it holds firmly and the clip is strong. None of the connectors are gold-plated.
The design is simple, ultra functional, not without appeal, durable and extremely compact.
Inside is the Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 chip, capable of supporting the latest codecs. It is specially paired with the MAX97220 amplifier chip, which has high compatibility, low distortion and noise. In my opinion, very little juice (power) is taken from this chip. Perhaps it's all due to a battery consumption issue: more power = more consumption. I don't think there are any problems with heat dissipation. I think a small size has been prioritized over a larger power. But this is just a personal assessment that may differ from reality.
And speaking of the battery, its capacity is 160mAh, which gives it a duration of 7h. Its full charge takes 1.5h and a 5V DC and 2A charger is recommended.
During the time that I have used it, the duration of the battery has been a little less, although it is true that I have made it work at maximum volume, using IEMS of 16/32Ω.
The H2 also offers the NFC for Bluetooth pairing, by a simple touch, with those compatible devices.
In short, the presentation is remarkable, the content is good, the construction is very good and the design seems quite logical, simple, but effective.
Connectivity
The H2 can be used as a Bluetooth receiver and as a USB DAC via cable. Via Bluetooth it supports the UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBC and CVC codecs. Of particular note is the compatibility with the UAT (Ultra Audio Transmission) codec developed by HiBy, which is capable of supporting 192kHz and the highest bandwidth (1.2Mbps). Furthermore, under this protocol, the different HiBy APPs can communicate with the device, exchange information and improve the user experience (alternative volume control to the Smartphone, firmware update via OTA, equalisation, etc.) Connected to my PC with the old Windows 7 is recognised without problems, without the need for additional drivers, although it does not have ASIO drivers. It should be noted that the buttons on the H2, work in this connection mode. Both the volume, and play or stop, can be operated from H2. While connected to a PC, H2 can also be charged.
It can also be connected by cable, to compatible DAPS, such as the Tempotec V1-A and HiBy R3 Pro, although its reduced power makes it unsuitable. A connection via Bluetooth would make much more sense in these cases.
Cable connection, such as USB DAC, is extended to Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS devices.
Connected to my Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, the default codec is LDAC. Of course, from the developer options, you can choose different codec and BitRate. From the APP HiBy Music you can choose the UAT codec, being able to unlink the volume of the H2 from the volume of the Smartphone, among other features. At the moment, APP HiBy Blue does not allow many other functions. I suppose that in the future this will improve.
The transmission distance is approximately 10m (in open area). About 4m for UAT & LDAC.
Two Bluetooth devices can be connected at the same time, maintaining a stable and trouble-free connection. It can also be connected as a DAC to the PC and via Bluetooth simultaneously, with Bluetooth playback preference over use as a DAC.
The connections, both wired and Bluetooth, are certified as Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Re Audio Wireless, capable of reaching and reproducing a resolution of up to 24 bits/96kHz.
According to the web, it can also be connected to the car's auxiliary input, a TV, a desktop speaker, etc. It is understood that when connected in this way, the output acts as a line output. But I have not found a selector switch between headphone output and line output. The output impedance and behaviour are not the same. But if the manufacturer advertises it, it will be possible to use it, without the device suffering any deterioration.
In summary, the H2 is a very versatile device in the connectivity section, capable of offering multiple forms of connection, as well as excellent ease of use. As a DAC, no additional driver is required and the best codecs are supported via Bluetooth. Excellent.
Operativity
The use of H2 is very simple. I recommend connecting the headphones before turning it on, because this way we will hear the voice assistant, which will report the status of the device itself. I have to emphasize that the voice of the assistant is very clear and intelligible, unlike many other voices, as well as having a very adequate volume. By pressing the round button for a long time, the device will switch on and enter pairing mode. A short press will pause/resume playback. A long press will turn the device off.
With the double volume button, short presses can be used to vary the volume. Long presses on these buttons will allow you to switch between songs, next or previous, depending on the button pressed.
Connected to the PC as a DAC, it can be used without problems with Foobar2000 or Dopamine, but without being able to use the ASIO driver. The H2 can be configured in Windows with 16 bits and 48kHz maximum, not a very high figure, let's say. This does not mean that it cannot play higher resolution files, as it does so without problems. It is only a limitation of the driver. Is it possible that Hidizs, in the future, can create an exclusive ASIO driver? I don't know, but it would be the best way to get more out of the device. On the other hand, there are no clicks or pops during playback in this mode. There's something new about this driverless device, which I like: the play/pause button works from the device, which is not the case with other products. My recommendation, when connected to a PC, is to set the volume of the H2 to the maximum and control it by the playback application. I recommend this because the volume jumps on H2 are quite large and when it is connected to the PC you have to press the volume control repeatedly to change it. The maximum is known to have been reached because there is a slight "mute" in the sound: it is suddenly lowered and then raised again, indicating that this maximum volume has been reached.
Connected to a Smartphone via Bluetooth, APP HiBy Music is recommended, but with USB Audio Performance Mode disabled. From this APP you can activate UAT mode and use APP HiBy Blue together. This APP will allow you to offer greater functionalities to the device, such as updating the firmware via OTA or through a file provided. You can also see the codec used, the battery status of the H2, allows use of equalizer and gain. Although the EQ is only effective at 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling frequencies.
It can be seen that H2 has firmware version 0.03. It has not been possible to connect to the server to obtain an update via OTA, it is assumed that no updates are available. In this sense, there is nothing wrong with suggesting a firmware change. Although a future possibility of choosing a high gain mode, it would be very welcome and something that would greatly increase the value of H2, even though it implies a higher battery consumption.
Connecting to a Smartphone or other DAP by cable is a simple operation and on those devices that are compatible, the H2 will be recognized quickly. If not, check if the cable is upside down, turn it over and use the other C-type connector.
The different states indicated by the colour of the LED are as follows:
Please note that Hidizs recommends a DC 5V 2A power adapter.
Finally, it should be noted that the H2 has the ability to enter StandBy mode, when not in use, automatically.
Measures
The Hidizs H2 has a fairly linear frequency response, with a very slight drop in the lower zone. If it were not for the graphics and measurements, it would hardly be detectable. It is 1.5dB at 20Hz, but at 40Hz it is only 0.5dB.
This slight drop can be seen in the measurements without load, such as at 15Ω, 33Ω, 62Ω and 100Ω.
Another thing that can be seen is that at maximum volume there is no saturation or visible distortion in the pure waves.
15Ω
33Ω
62Ω
100Ω
No Load
The power calculated for each resistor that has been connected can be seen in the following image. It can be noticed that the specifications do not lie and that at 32Ω, the H2 offers almost 9mW, a little more than the 8mW declared by Hidizs for this impedance. Although, I really think that power is somewhat fair if you are going to use inefficient headphones and good old recordings, if you like high volume.
Sound
Thanks to the fact that the Hidizs H2 can be connected simultaneously by Bluetooth (UAT) and as a DAC connected to my PC, I have been able to verify that the differences in sound between both modes are practically non-existent. In this way and for ease of use, I will describe the sound offered by the H2 connected to my PC.
On the other hand, the operation of the H2 via Bluetooth has been limited to listening to music and receiving calls. In both scenarios the sound has always been fluid and without losses or lags. The sensitivity of the microphone seems adequate, although I usually talk low, I just had to place it closer to avoid problems.
I find the sound profile of the H2 neutral and clean. The first impression is that it sounds better than its numbers predict and, saving the dynamic range and power distances, the sound presentation is similar to the HD Sonata, with a little more clean and clear in the middle zone, as the sound of the Sonata is somewhat warmer and softer.
The lower zone has good expression, the texture is not too complex, but it has a good relationship between descriptive capacity and simplicity. It is true that there is a slight limitation in the lower sub-bass, but it is practically imperceptible, unless the musical genres are very explicit in this area. The result is a more than acceptable depth, a natural colour, a generous beat, but without losing naturalness.
The middle zone is what provides the sound with its clean and neutral character, with good light. The sound in this zone is described as direct and fast, well profiled, but perhaps a little hard and strict. It is not an analytical sound, nor is it soft, but it has a digital character, something that reminds me of HiFi CD players from the late 1990s. It's clear that a lot has happened since then and that the resolution level of digital music is much better today. But within a sound scale, which includes all the sources I own, the H2 could fit, virtually, in that position, transferred to the current era. The numbers don't deceive, and neither does the potential limitation. In this way, the resolution and dynamics feel somewhat cut back, when the musical passages are more complex, with more instruments, where the demand for expressiveness of detail requires a greater effort. In simpler musical genres, the H2 moves well and the voices sound correct and well profiled. The instrumentation is immediate, but without an explicit micro detail. In this way, the sound is good, simple, clear, firm and present. But it does not enjoy a superior refinement that gives it greater definition, a darker background, or a very large separation. And these limitations are shown more clearly in the high zone, making the more critical highs, described in a quicker way, with less delicacy. I believe that the upper end is the area where H2 suffers most, compared to other sources. His work here is simply correct, adequate to his possibilities. The recreation is still direct but somewhat more omitted, without going into much detail, nor into a more special or higher resolution definition. The extension is on a par with this expression, but the separation and the amount of air feel more limited when the music demands it. In this way, the scene is not strictly intimate, since, thanks to the clarity and cleanliness of the sound, it has a slight expansive tendency in the middle zone. But the absence of a greater dynamic limits a greater depth in the lower zone, a better separation between notes and an amount of air that allows the scene to be more three-dimensional. The instrumental positioning is correct, homogeneous, not too agglutinated, sufficient to establish a realistic image.
Comparisons
Sonata HD
As I mentioned earlier, I find a similar starting point between the Sonata HD and the H2. Both possess that openly direct character, with a more energetic and sharp profile. But the greater dynamics and power of the Sonata, gives it a better capacity for definition and a greater amount of air. This translates into a sound that gains in depth, since it also does not suffer from any loss in its lower zone. The profile of the Sonata is completely flat. The better resolution results in a slightly softer and less harsh comparative reproduction, which is noticeable on long listenings. The HD Sonata provides a somewhat higher degree of resolution and more refinement. However, the sound of the H2 seems to be a little more neutral and bright. The distance between the two is not like night and day - you need trained ears, good recordings and headphones to detect these differences. In the middle zone, the voices of the H2 sound drier, while in the Sonata you can appreciate a little more smoothness, a silkier texture. The H2 is simpler in that sense, offering a cooler feel. The lower zone is quite similar in both devices, with a very similar beat, lowering the Sonata more, at the lower end, but without any greater weight in the zone. There is improved definition in the Sonata, with a little more body and packing in the bass, in addition to that point of greater depth. In the high zone is where the most differences can be seen, in favour of the HD Sonata. Its highs are more expressive, sharp and revealing than in H2. Although they have a similar sonority, in H2, they are slightly softer, offering a little less resolution and quality in the final detail.
The scene is deeper in the Sonata HD, but the H2 compensates for this by offering a cleanup that gives good separation. In the end, though, the greater dynamics of the Sonata HD makes the difference, offering a fuller, wider, higher body and image with more three-dimensional effect, because it is able to offer more air and a darker background. The H2 has a more cohesive and mixed sound, something that can be appreciated when there are many instruments or the sound is more ethereal and open in itself.
In short, the sound between the two devices has a similar approach at first, starting with a comparable staging. But, in the end, the numbers count and both the power and the dynamic range establish those differences that can be seen with the passing of the minutes and more complex musical passages.
Conclusion
Hidizs has created a tiny Bluetooth receiver that works flawlessly and has all the best qualities expected from a product like this: the best and most current Bluetooth codecs, 5.0 specification, fast pairing via NFC, ability to connect to 2 devices via Bluetooth, use as DAC/Amp via USB cable, integrated multipurpose buttons, status LED, internal battery and many other features. It is clear that it is the smallest product that has these properties and at the best price. If we talk about its sound, it is above its specifications. Considering its limited power and dynamic range, the H2 is recommended for headphones up to 60Ω. And, thanks to its noise-cancelling microphone, it is one of the best Bluetooth solutions for our entire IEMS collection.
Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis
Ratings
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
The H2 is Hidizs' answer to one of the most versatile products of the year. It is a DAC/Amp Bluetooth receiver, capable of being controlled by a APP. In this occasion the famous brand founded in 2009, breaks the deck with an unbeatable small size. Furthermore, it integrates NFC for easy pairing, microphone, 3 control buttons, a multicolor LED, Bluetooth 5.0 and the best Bluetooth codecs. It all looks very good, doesn't it? Yes, even its pre-sale price is. What else does this small device hide? Well, we'll see about that later.
Specifications
- Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm CSR8675.
- Amplification chip: MAX97220.
- Bluetooth Codecs: UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBC, CVC.
- Multicolour LED.
- Pairing via NFC One-Touch.
- USB DAC compatible with Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS.
- USB type C.
- Dedicated power, pairing, play and pause button.
- Dedicated dual button for Volume + and -/Previous Track/Next Track.
- SE 3.5mm output.
- Handsfree / Microphone support.
- Transmission distance: Approx. 10m (in open area). Within 4m for UAT & LDAC.
- Battery capacity 160mAh.
- Battery life 7h.
- Charging time 1.5h.
- Nominal output power 8mW+8mW@32Ω.
- Frequency response 20Hz-90Khz.
- Total harmonic distortion + Noise 0.008% (1kHz).
- Signal to noise ratio 92dB.
- Crosstalk: 68dB (@32Ω).
- Recommended headphone resistance range 8-60Ω.
- Net weight 12G.
Packaging, Content, Construction and Design
The Hidizs H2 comes in a smooth, matt, black cardboard box, measuring 108x108x52mm. It is covered with protective transparent cellophane. On the top, the H2 is drawn with its outlines, in a darker engraving. In the corners there is the brand, model and other logos, in silver holographic ink. On the back, the features are specified, in Chinese and English, with the same silver ink. It does not look like the box of something so small and after removing it, the surprise is consumed. The H2 comes packed in cellophane and a cloth band allows it to be unwrapped from the protective mould. Under it, a cardboard cover that, after being lifted, shows the rest of the accessories. In short:
- H2.
- USB type-C to USB cable.
- Translucent plastic case with rear clip.
- User's manual.
- Warranty card.
- USB Type-C to Type-C cable
A cloth bag is missing to protect it from scratches or blows. Although the content is correct. The protective casing with clip is suitable and very useful for using the H2 as a hands-free device. The type-C to type-C USB cable is somewhat rigid and when bent has taken on that shape.
The body material is made of Makrolon resin from Germany. It is available in black or white. The device feels hard and compact, without creaking or gaps, very solid. Its weight is derisory, only 12g, as are its dimensions: 32x32x10mm. On the main side there is the brand logo, its name and the model. Below, the description of the device and, finally, the full name of the brand. On the back side, only the NFC logo, at the bottom. On the upper edge, on the left, is the 3.5mm SE output. In the centre, a hole in which the microphone is supposed to be located. These are two Qualcomm cVc microphones of the eighth generation in noise cancellation technology. It has a wide bandwidth to provide high quality voice calls in HD. At the left edge, in the centre, there is a round, multi-function button (On/Off). Underneath it, the multicoloured LED. On the right-hand edge there is a double button (+ and -), with a bulge on top, to identify the positive side. On the lower side, near the left corner, is the USB type C port.
The casing is adapted to the main face, held by clips to the rear face, leaving all controls free. It includes the hole to release the microphone. It has a spring clip and its colour is translucent, but somewhat cloudy. This component performs its function properly, it holds firmly and the clip is strong. None of the connectors are gold-plated.
The design is simple, ultra functional, not without appeal, durable and extremely compact.
Inside is the Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 chip, capable of supporting the latest codecs. It is specially paired with the MAX97220 amplifier chip, which has high compatibility, low distortion and noise. In my opinion, very little juice (power) is taken from this chip. Perhaps it's all due to a battery consumption issue: more power = more consumption. I don't think there are any problems with heat dissipation. I think a small size has been prioritized over a larger power. But this is just a personal assessment that may differ from reality.
And speaking of the battery, its capacity is 160mAh, which gives it a duration of 7h. Its full charge takes 1.5h and a 5V DC and 2A charger is recommended.
During the time that I have used it, the duration of the battery has been a little less, although it is true that I have made it work at maximum volume, using IEMS of 16/32Ω.
The H2 also offers the NFC for Bluetooth pairing, by a simple touch, with those compatible devices.
In short, the presentation is remarkable, the content is good, the construction is very good and the design seems quite logical, simple, but effective.
Connectivity
The H2 can be used as a Bluetooth receiver and as a USB DAC via cable. Via Bluetooth it supports the UAT, APTX-HD, APTX, APTX-LL, LDAC, AAC, SBC and CVC codecs. Of particular note is the compatibility with the UAT (Ultra Audio Transmission) codec developed by HiBy, which is capable of supporting 192kHz and the highest bandwidth (1.2Mbps). Furthermore, under this protocol, the different HiBy APPs can communicate with the device, exchange information and improve the user experience (alternative volume control to the Smartphone, firmware update via OTA, equalisation, etc.) Connected to my PC with the old Windows 7 is recognised without problems, without the need for additional drivers, although it does not have ASIO drivers. It should be noted that the buttons on the H2, work in this connection mode. Both the volume, and play or stop, can be operated from H2. While connected to a PC, H2 can also be charged.
It can also be connected by cable, to compatible DAPS, such as the Tempotec V1-A and HiBy R3 Pro, although its reduced power makes it unsuitable. A connection via Bluetooth would make much more sense in these cases.
Cable connection, such as USB DAC, is extended to Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS devices.
Connected to my Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, the default codec is LDAC. Of course, from the developer options, you can choose different codec and BitRate. From the APP HiBy Music you can choose the UAT codec, being able to unlink the volume of the H2 from the volume of the Smartphone, among other features. At the moment, APP HiBy Blue does not allow many other functions. I suppose that in the future this will improve.
The transmission distance is approximately 10m (in open area). About 4m for UAT & LDAC.
Two Bluetooth devices can be connected at the same time, maintaining a stable and trouble-free connection. It can also be connected as a DAC to the PC and via Bluetooth simultaneously, with Bluetooth playback preference over use as a DAC.
The connections, both wired and Bluetooth, are certified as Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Re Audio Wireless, capable of reaching and reproducing a resolution of up to 24 bits/96kHz.
According to the web, it can also be connected to the car's auxiliary input, a TV, a desktop speaker, etc. It is understood that when connected in this way, the output acts as a line output. But I have not found a selector switch between headphone output and line output. The output impedance and behaviour are not the same. But if the manufacturer advertises it, it will be possible to use it, without the device suffering any deterioration.
In summary, the H2 is a very versatile device in the connectivity section, capable of offering multiple forms of connection, as well as excellent ease of use. As a DAC, no additional driver is required and the best codecs are supported via Bluetooth. Excellent.
Operativity
The use of H2 is very simple. I recommend connecting the headphones before turning it on, because this way we will hear the voice assistant, which will report the status of the device itself. I have to emphasize that the voice of the assistant is very clear and intelligible, unlike many other voices, as well as having a very adequate volume. By pressing the round button for a long time, the device will switch on and enter pairing mode. A short press will pause/resume playback. A long press will turn the device off.
With the double volume button, short presses can be used to vary the volume. Long presses on these buttons will allow you to switch between songs, next or previous, depending on the button pressed.
Connected to the PC as a DAC, it can be used without problems with Foobar2000 or Dopamine, but without being able to use the ASIO driver. The H2 can be configured in Windows with 16 bits and 48kHz maximum, not a very high figure, let's say. This does not mean that it cannot play higher resolution files, as it does so without problems. It is only a limitation of the driver. Is it possible that Hidizs, in the future, can create an exclusive ASIO driver? I don't know, but it would be the best way to get more out of the device. On the other hand, there are no clicks or pops during playback in this mode. There's something new about this driverless device, which I like: the play/pause button works from the device, which is not the case with other products. My recommendation, when connected to a PC, is to set the volume of the H2 to the maximum and control it by the playback application. I recommend this because the volume jumps on H2 are quite large and when it is connected to the PC you have to press the volume control repeatedly to change it. The maximum is known to have been reached because there is a slight "mute" in the sound: it is suddenly lowered and then raised again, indicating that this maximum volume has been reached.
Connected to a Smartphone via Bluetooth, APP HiBy Music is recommended, but with USB Audio Performance Mode disabled. From this APP you can activate UAT mode and use APP HiBy Blue together. This APP will allow you to offer greater functionalities to the device, such as updating the firmware via OTA or through a file provided. You can also see the codec used, the battery status of the H2, allows use of equalizer and gain. Although the EQ is only effective at 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling frequencies.
It can be seen that H2 has firmware version 0.03. It has not been possible to connect to the server to obtain an update via OTA, it is assumed that no updates are available. In this sense, there is nothing wrong with suggesting a firmware change. Although a future possibility of choosing a high gain mode, it would be very welcome and something that would greatly increase the value of H2, even though it implies a higher battery consumption.
Connecting to a Smartphone or other DAP by cable is a simple operation and on those devices that are compatible, the H2 will be recognized quickly. If not, check if the cable is upside down, turn it over and use the other C-type connector.
The different states indicated by the colour of the LED are as follows:
- Red flashing: on charging.
- Blue flashing: Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Green: 44.1kHz to 48kHz.
- Blue: 88.2kHz to 192kHz.
Please note that Hidizs recommends a DC 5V 2A power adapter.
Finally, it should be noted that the H2 has the ability to enter StandBy mode, when not in use, automatically.
Measures
The Hidizs H2 has a fairly linear frequency response, with a very slight drop in the lower zone. If it were not for the graphics and measurements, it would hardly be detectable. It is 1.5dB at 20Hz, but at 40Hz it is only 0.5dB.
This slight drop can be seen in the measurements without load, such as at 15Ω, 33Ω, 62Ω and 100Ω.
Another thing that can be seen is that at maximum volume there is no saturation or visible distortion in the pure waves.
15Ω
33Ω
62Ω
100Ω
No Load
The power calculated for each resistor that has been connected can be seen in the following image. It can be noticed that the specifications do not lie and that at 32Ω, the H2 offers almost 9mW, a little more than the 8mW declared by Hidizs for this impedance. Although, I really think that power is somewhat fair if you are going to use inefficient headphones and good old recordings, if you like high volume.
Sound
Thanks to the fact that the Hidizs H2 can be connected simultaneously by Bluetooth (UAT) and as a DAC connected to my PC, I have been able to verify that the differences in sound between both modes are practically non-existent. In this way and for ease of use, I will describe the sound offered by the H2 connected to my PC.
On the other hand, the operation of the H2 via Bluetooth has been limited to listening to music and receiving calls. In both scenarios the sound has always been fluid and without losses or lags. The sensitivity of the microphone seems adequate, although I usually talk low, I just had to place it closer to avoid problems.
I find the sound profile of the H2 neutral and clean. The first impression is that it sounds better than its numbers predict and, saving the dynamic range and power distances, the sound presentation is similar to the HD Sonata, with a little more clean and clear in the middle zone, as the sound of the Sonata is somewhat warmer and softer.
The lower zone has good expression, the texture is not too complex, but it has a good relationship between descriptive capacity and simplicity. It is true that there is a slight limitation in the lower sub-bass, but it is practically imperceptible, unless the musical genres are very explicit in this area. The result is a more than acceptable depth, a natural colour, a generous beat, but without losing naturalness.
The middle zone is what provides the sound with its clean and neutral character, with good light. The sound in this zone is described as direct and fast, well profiled, but perhaps a little hard and strict. It is not an analytical sound, nor is it soft, but it has a digital character, something that reminds me of HiFi CD players from the late 1990s. It's clear that a lot has happened since then and that the resolution level of digital music is much better today. But within a sound scale, which includes all the sources I own, the H2 could fit, virtually, in that position, transferred to the current era. The numbers don't deceive, and neither does the potential limitation. In this way, the resolution and dynamics feel somewhat cut back, when the musical passages are more complex, with more instruments, where the demand for expressiveness of detail requires a greater effort. In simpler musical genres, the H2 moves well and the voices sound correct and well profiled. The instrumentation is immediate, but without an explicit micro detail. In this way, the sound is good, simple, clear, firm and present. But it does not enjoy a superior refinement that gives it greater definition, a darker background, or a very large separation. And these limitations are shown more clearly in the high zone, making the more critical highs, described in a quicker way, with less delicacy. I believe that the upper end is the area where H2 suffers most, compared to other sources. His work here is simply correct, adequate to his possibilities. The recreation is still direct but somewhat more omitted, without going into much detail, nor into a more special or higher resolution definition. The extension is on a par with this expression, but the separation and the amount of air feel more limited when the music demands it. In this way, the scene is not strictly intimate, since, thanks to the clarity and cleanliness of the sound, it has a slight expansive tendency in the middle zone. But the absence of a greater dynamic limits a greater depth in the lower zone, a better separation between notes and an amount of air that allows the scene to be more three-dimensional. The instrumental positioning is correct, homogeneous, not too agglutinated, sufficient to establish a realistic image.
Comparisons
Sonata HD
As I mentioned earlier, I find a similar starting point between the Sonata HD and the H2. Both possess that openly direct character, with a more energetic and sharp profile. But the greater dynamics and power of the Sonata, gives it a better capacity for definition and a greater amount of air. This translates into a sound that gains in depth, since it also does not suffer from any loss in its lower zone. The profile of the Sonata is completely flat. The better resolution results in a slightly softer and less harsh comparative reproduction, which is noticeable on long listenings. The HD Sonata provides a somewhat higher degree of resolution and more refinement. However, the sound of the H2 seems to be a little more neutral and bright. The distance between the two is not like night and day - you need trained ears, good recordings and headphones to detect these differences. In the middle zone, the voices of the H2 sound drier, while in the Sonata you can appreciate a little more smoothness, a silkier texture. The H2 is simpler in that sense, offering a cooler feel. The lower zone is quite similar in both devices, with a very similar beat, lowering the Sonata more, at the lower end, but without any greater weight in the zone. There is improved definition in the Sonata, with a little more body and packing in the bass, in addition to that point of greater depth. In the high zone is where the most differences can be seen, in favour of the HD Sonata. Its highs are more expressive, sharp and revealing than in H2. Although they have a similar sonority, in H2, they are slightly softer, offering a little less resolution and quality in the final detail.
The scene is deeper in the Sonata HD, but the H2 compensates for this by offering a cleanup that gives good separation. In the end, though, the greater dynamics of the Sonata HD makes the difference, offering a fuller, wider, higher body and image with more three-dimensional effect, because it is able to offer more air and a darker background. The H2 has a more cohesive and mixed sound, something that can be appreciated when there are many instruments or the sound is more ethereal and open in itself.
In short, the sound between the two devices has a similar approach at first, starting with a comparable staging. But, in the end, the numbers count and both the power and the dynamic range establish those differences that can be seen with the passing of the minutes and more complex musical passages.
Conclusion
Hidizs has created a tiny Bluetooth receiver that works flawlessly and has all the best qualities expected from a product like this: the best and most current Bluetooth codecs, 5.0 specification, fast pairing via NFC, ability to connect to 2 devices via Bluetooth, use as DAC/Amp via USB cable, integrated multipurpose buttons, status LED, internal battery and many other features. It is clear that it is the smallest product that has these properties and at the best price. If we talk about its sound, it is above its specifications. Considering its limited power and dynamic range, the H2 is recommended for headphones up to 60Ω. And, thanks to its noise-cancelling microphone, it is one of the best Bluetooth solutions for our entire IEMS collection.
Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis
- HiBy R3 Pro
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Tempotec Variations V1-A
- Ikko OH10
- NF AUDIO NM2
- NF AUDIO NM2+
- BGVP ArtMagic VG4
- ISN H40
- NS Audio NS5 MKII Extra Bass
- Tin HiFi T2 Plus
- Tin HiFi T1 Plus
Ratings
- Construction and Design: 85
- Accessories: 70
- Connectivity: 90
- Sound: 70
- Quality/Price: 85
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
Couple of days ago, together with Black Friday discounts for the entire lineup, Hidizs has announced their new product — H2. My sample unit has landed about a week ago and here is my presentation and in-depth write up of this device.
So, what is Hidizs H2? It is a small DAC unit that is positioned by Hidizs as Bluetooth receiver. Although, its functionality goes beyond that definition. Along with acting as a Bluetooth DAC, it allows USB connection as well. I have already been dealing with other Bluetooth standalone receivers from HiBy (W5) and Colorfly (BT-C1), Bluetooth cables for IEMs (Hidizs H1) and tabletop DAC|amps with Bluetooth audio reception (Audinst HUD-DX1 Blue24) but neither one of those was similarly capable in terms of HD audio codecs support or didn’t have USB DAC function. Of course, H2 is not free of some limitations which would be described here later. For now, my point of what makes Hidizs H2 almost unique is that it combines the support of all known Bluetooth HD audio codec and USB DAC function.
Hidizs H2 specs:
As we can see from the specs published by Hidizs, the supported HD Bluetooth codecs cover Qualcomm aptX HD, Sony LDAC and even 192kHz, 1.2Mbps HiBy UAT. Of course, less sophisticated regular codecs such as aptX, SBC, AAC are also supported.
From the standpoint of HW architecture H2 is based on 24bit|192kHz Qualcomm CSR8675 SoC which incorporates Bluetooth 5.0, TrueWireless, WirelessBroadcast and active noise cancelling cVc technologies (yes, H2 does have a mic onboard and allows regular calls with noise cancelling). Amplification is done on behalf of MAX97220 differential amplifier chip. Although, despite theoretical datasheet power output stated as 125mW @ 32Ω, H2 is only producing 8mW|channel with the same impedance. This is the only arguable specification of this device. Nevertheless, as derived from further tests, it still drives 32Ω to an appropriate level and the rest of the specs remain quite impressive.
Packaging and design:
Hidizs H2 comes in a small black matt box standardized across most of the product produced by Hidizs. Box contains silver imprints of specs, manufacturer info and logo together with glossy device outlines.
As a matter of fact, this box could have been much smaller in size since H2 is pretty tiny device and consumes just a fraction of the space inside. It is stored in the special top level insert while all accessories are located in another compartment beneath. Accessories include:
H2 housing is made of solid piece of resin (German Makrolon) with front and back glass panels. Such choice of material not only looks great and resembles overall Hidizs design principles, but also stays transparent for the radio waves ensuring the best reception quality.
The design looks clean, simple and attractive at the same time. Personally, I admire the approach of placing logos and text behind glass panels — it makes it shine and protects from any damage. Unfortunately, scratches on the panels are inevitable in future due to the absence of protective film. At the same time there are factory protection films from the box but those are used for transportation purposes. The best way, probably, would be cutting off special peel off projections from this film and leave the rest on the device.
Since H2 has NFC module for easy pairing, it contains NFC logo under the front glass panel. Right edge contains power button and 3-color LED, left — volume up and down button. Mic opening and 3.5mm audio output is located on the top edge while USB type-C port is on the bottom. Buttons are not rattling and have a good actuation feel.
Plastic case|clip is a great accessory which is familiar from Hidizs S9 DAC|amp. It is made of transparent plastic with rough surface finish, securely holds H2, allows easy access to all buttons and doesn’t cover mic opening. Clip spring tension is more than enough to be confident that H2 would not get lost during a workout.
Preparing H2 for use:
Very straight forward: H2 requires ~1.5H to reach the full charge and indicates the process with flashing red LED. There are 2 scenarios after that: either to connect H2 to a smartphone or PC with a cable or to pair it with any device over Bluetooth. Second scenario can be achieved by a regular pairing process or by using NFC of H2 for faster identification and connection. Long press Power button to enter pairing mode. H2 would quickly flash blue LED to indicate that the process has started (and would go into slow flashing mode when paired).
When paired with a smartphone, it is better to use HiBy Blue from the corresponding app market in order to monitor connection quality, codec in use, battery state, use the additional EQ and to be able to upgrade the firmware. Most of the functions of this app are not required if H2 would be used with HiBy Music app over Bluetooth or USB. EQ and audio codec would be pushed by this app instead of HiBy Blue.
By the way, H2 has multipoint function and allows 2 device to be connected over Bluetooth simultaneously.
H2 in use:
There are different stated of LED that indicate device operation:
Switching between LDAC, aptHD and other audio codecs is done from a smartphone under the Developer options menu. Initially, H2 would be pushed with the best possible supported codec from a smartphone. In my case it was LDAC (Xiaomi Redmi Note 8Pro). Although, in order to switch to the supreme HiBy UAT we would have to run either HiBy Music or HiBy Blue (if other music app is used). The connection distance free of any hiccups for LDAC and UAT can reach up to 10 meters at open space. Even one thin concrete wall is not a severe obstacle but the distance gets limited to 2-3 meters from a wall at one side.
When using cable connection with a smartphone — USB DAC gets recognized and everything works correctly. Bit-perfect mode is allowed be HiBy Music app. The only concern is that the cable has host and slave sides and should be connected in a correct way. Microphone with noise cancelling function works great, allowing to accept and answer the calls. No complaints from the other party in terms of voice quality.
H2 runs flawless in Windows 7,8 and 10 environment as well. The device is getting recognized by the system as Hidizs H2 USB sound card with integrated mic. No driver is needed. Furthermore, there is no driver available from Hidizs till now. The maximum audio quality listed in device properties is 16bit/48kHz what makes me wonder about the possible release of special monopoly mode driver later by Hidizs. Current native Windows driver does not occupy H2 and allows all sounds with no lag in videos. Which is good.
The difference in device operation time from a single charge in Bluetooth or cable mode is hard to tell since H2 starts charging when connected to USB port of any device. Therefore, it would drain source battery before running out of charge. Stated battery life in Bluetooth mode is close real time figures. I’ve got 6,5H battery life of playing audio with LDAC codec.
One good function that should be mentioned is the ability of H2 to play music and take charge at the same time. This allows to stay connected even if the battery has drained. Or to use H2 as Bluetooth receiver in home setup.
Sound quality:
I would not get too deep in this section since my perception of Hidizs H2 purpose is very subjective. The main scenario for me is integrating Hidizs H2 into home stack as a Bluetooth receiver, allowing LDAC and UAT decoding and passing the signal to external amp or active speakers. Such scenario is not that demanding in terms of output power.
Of course, the initial tests were done using IEMs (Hidizs Seeds, 25Ω) and full-sized AudioTechnica (ATH-M50, 38Ω). Surprisingly, in both cases the audio quality does not disappoint and both models are driven adequately. IEMs with such impedance even have some room to increase the volume further, while full-sized IEMs are just on the edge of H2 potential. This also leads to properly driven IEMs showing better overall dynamics, integrity of lows and midbass, separation of each instrument and more perceptible resolution. ATH-M50 sounds more dirty and tends to leave out some details by mixing instruments together at higher volume levels. But this is expected behavior with such output figures.
In overall, when paired with low impedance|high sensitivity IEMs, H2 sounds clean, while tending to warm sound in signature. It shows moderate amount of details across the entire range, good midbass dynamics and power, pretty thick mids and has no irritating peaks on highs or upper mids. Cable connection delivers better extension and clarity at both ends (especially on higher frequencies). As always. I should mention here that the audio lag in Bluetooth is more apparent which should be considered when watching videos. It is acceptable but close to the point of getting a desynchronized with the video stream.
To summarize: H2 should not be regarded as a potential competitor for such products as Hidizs S8, S9 portable DAC|AMPs and AP80 DAP lineup — it is not capable to deliver the same level of audio quality due to a limited power output. On the other hand, it sounds more balanced, clean and impressive that a regular smartphone or PC with the appropriate IEMs or in active home setup.
Conclusion:
Hidizs H2 perfectly does the job of HiRes Audio Bluetooth receiver in active home setup by supporting the most sophisticated audio codecs, multipoint connection and simultaneous charge. While in the portable usage scenario the user should be aware of its limited driving ability. Other than that, Hidizs H2 is a good performer with rare combination of Bluetooth receiver and USB DAC functions. Moreover, its implementation and user experience is flawless. Therefore, it is recommended to consider if its main features and virtues fit the desired setup.
Hidizs H2 official store: LINK
10% discount for any item at Hidizs store using our promocode: ZMCR10
Thank you for reading.
So, what is Hidizs H2? It is a small DAC unit that is positioned by Hidizs as Bluetooth receiver. Although, its functionality goes beyond that definition. Along with acting as a Bluetooth DAC, it allows USB connection as well. I have already been dealing with other Bluetooth standalone receivers from HiBy (W5) and Colorfly (BT-C1), Bluetooth cables for IEMs (Hidizs H1) and tabletop DAC|amps with Bluetooth audio reception (Audinst HUD-DX1 Blue24) but neither one of those was similarly capable in terms of HD audio codecs support or didn’t have USB DAC function. Of course, H2 is not free of some limitations which would be described here later. For now, my point of what makes Hidizs H2 almost unique is that it combines the support of all known Bluetooth HD audio codec and USB DAC function.
Hidizs H2 specs:
As we can see from the specs published by Hidizs, the supported HD Bluetooth codecs cover Qualcomm aptX HD, Sony LDAC and even 192kHz, 1.2Mbps HiBy UAT. Of course, less sophisticated regular codecs such as aptX, SBC, AAC are also supported.
From the standpoint of HW architecture H2 is based on 24bit|192kHz Qualcomm CSR8675 SoC which incorporates Bluetooth 5.0, TrueWireless, WirelessBroadcast and active noise cancelling cVc technologies (yes, H2 does have a mic onboard and allows regular calls with noise cancelling). Amplification is done on behalf of MAX97220 differential amplifier chip. Although, despite theoretical datasheet power output stated as 125mW @ 32Ω, H2 is only producing 8mW|channel with the same impedance. This is the only arguable specification of this device. Nevertheless, as derived from further tests, it still drives 32Ω to an appropriate level and the rest of the specs remain quite impressive.
Packaging and design:
Hidizs H2 comes in a small black matt box standardized across most of the product produced by Hidizs. Box contains silver imprints of specs, manufacturer info and logo together with glossy device outlines.
As a matter of fact, this box could have been much smaller in size since H2 is pretty tiny device and consumes just a fraction of the space inside. It is stored in the special top level insert while all accessories are located in another compartment beneath. Accessories include:
- USB type-C -> USB type-C (host|slave) cable
- USB A -> USB type-C cable
- plastic case|clip
- leaflets, warranty card
H2 housing is made of solid piece of resin (German Makrolon) with front and back glass panels. Such choice of material not only looks great and resembles overall Hidizs design principles, but also stays transparent for the radio waves ensuring the best reception quality.
The design looks clean, simple and attractive at the same time. Personally, I admire the approach of placing logos and text behind glass panels — it makes it shine and protects from any damage. Unfortunately, scratches on the panels are inevitable in future due to the absence of protective film. At the same time there are factory protection films from the box but those are used for transportation purposes. The best way, probably, would be cutting off special peel off projections from this film and leave the rest on the device.
Since H2 has NFC module for easy pairing, it contains NFC logo under the front glass panel. Right edge contains power button and 3-color LED, left — volume up and down button. Mic opening and 3.5mm audio output is located on the top edge while USB type-C port is on the bottom. Buttons are not rattling and have a good actuation feel.
Plastic case|clip is a great accessory which is familiar from Hidizs S9 DAC|amp. It is made of transparent plastic with rough surface finish, securely holds H2, allows easy access to all buttons and doesn’t cover mic opening. Clip spring tension is more than enough to be confident that H2 would not get lost during a workout.
Preparing H2 for use:
Very straight forward: H2 requires ~1.5H to reach the full charge and indicates the process with flashing red LED. There are 2 scenarios after that: either to connect H2 to a smartphone or PC with a cable or to pair it with any device over Bluetooth. Second scenario can be achieved by a regular pairing process or by using NFC of H2 for faster identification and connection. Long press Power button to enter pairing mode. H2 would quickly flash blue LED to indicate that the process has started (and would go into slow flashing mode when paired).
When paired with a smartphone, it is better to use HiBy Blue from the corresponding app market in order to monitor connection quality, codec in use, battery state, use the additional EQ and to be able to upgrade the firmware. Most of the functions of this app are not required if H2 would be used with HiBy Music app over Bluetooth or USB. EQ and audio codec would be pushed by this app instead of HiBy Blue.
By the way, H2 has multipoint function and allows 2 device to be connected over Bluetooth simultaneously.
H2 in use:
There are different stated of LED that indicate device operation:
- Charging — flashing Red
- Pairing — fast flashing Blue
- Up to 48kHz — slow flashing Green
- 88..2 up to 192kHz — slow flashing Blue
- Power button
- Short press — play|pause
- Long press — on|off
- Very long press in OFF mode — pairing
- Volume up|down
- Short press — volume up|down
- Long press — next|previous track
Switching between LDAC, aptHD and other audio codecs is done from a smartphone under the Developer options menu. Initially, H2 would be pushed with the best possible supported codec from a smartphone. In my case it was LDAC (Xiaomi Redmi Note 8Pro). Although, in order to switch to the supreme HiBy UAT we would have to run either HiBy Music or HiBy Blue (if other music app is used). The connection distance free of any hiccups for LDAC and UAT can reach up to 10 meters at open space. Even one thin concrete wall is not a severe obstacle but the distance gets limited to 2-3 meters from a wall at one side.
When using cable connection with a smartphone — USB DAC gets recognized and everything works correctly. Bit-perfect mode is allowed be HiBy Music app. The only concern is that the cable has host and slave sides and should be connected in a correct way. Microphone with noise cancelling function works great, allowing to accept and answer the calls. No complaints from the other party in terms of voice quality.
H2 runs flawless in Windows 7,8 and 10 environment as well. The device is getting recognized by the system as Hidizs H2 USB sound card with integrated mic. No driver is needed. Furthermore, there is no driver available from Hidizs till now. The maximum audio quality listed in device properties is 16bit/48kHz what makes me wonder about the possible release of special monopoly mode driver later by Hidizs. Current native Windows driver does not occupy H2 and allows all sounds with no lag in videos. Which is good.
The difference in device operation time from a single charge in Bluetooth or cable mode is hard to tell since H2 starts charging when connected to USB port of any device. Therefore, it would drain source battery before running out of charge. Stated battery life in Bluetooth mode is close real time figures. I’ve got 6,5H battery life of playing audio with LDAC codec.
One good function that should be mentioned is the ability of H2 to play music and take charge at the same time. This allows to stay connected even if the battery has drained. Or to use H2 as Bluetooth receiver in home setup.
Sound quality:
I would not get too deep in this section since my perception of Hidizs H2 purpose is very subjective. The main scenario for me is integrating Hidizs H2 into home stack as a Bluetooth receiver, allowing LDAC and UAT decoding and passing the signal to external amp or active speakers. Such scenario is not that demanding in terms of output power.
Of course, the initial tests were done using IEMs (Hidizs Seeds, 25Ω) and full-sized AudioTechnica (ATH-M50, 38Ω). Surprisingly, in both cases the audio quality does not disappoint and both models are driven adequately. IEMs with such impedance even have some room to increase the volume further, while full-sized IEMs are just on the edge of H2 potential. This also leads to properly driven IEMs showing better overall dynamics, integrity of lows and midbass, separation of each instrument and more perceptible resolution. ATH-M50 sounds more dirty and tends to leave out some details by mixing instruments together at higher volume levels. But this is expected behavior with such output figures.
In overall, when paired with low impedance|high sensitivity IEMs, H2 sounds clean, while tending to warm sound in signature. It shows moderate amount of details across the entire range, good midbass dynamics and power, pretty thick mids and has no irritating peaks on highs or upper mids. Cable connection delivers better extension and clarity at both ends (especially on higher frequencies). As always. I should mention here that the audio lag in Bluetooth is more apparent which should be considered when watching videos. It is acceptable but close to the point of getting a desynchronized with the video stream.
To summarize: H2 should not be regarded as a potential competitor for such products as Hidizs S8, S9 portable DAC|AMPs and AP80 DAP lineup — it is not capable to deliver the same level of audio quality due to a limited power output. On the other hand, it sounds more balanced, clean and impressive that a regular smartphone or PC with the appropriate IEMs or in active home setup.
Conclusion:
Hidizs H2 perfectly does the job of HiRes Audio Bluetooth receiver in active home setup by supporting the most sophisticated audio codecs, multipoint connection and simultaneous charge. While in the portable usage scenario the user should be aware of its limited driving ability. Other than that, Hidizs H2 is a good performer with rare combination of Bluetooth receiver and USB DAC functions. Moreover, its implementation and user experience is flawless. Therefore, it is recommended to consider if its main features and virtues fit the desired setup.
Hidizs H2 official store: LINK
10% discount for any item at Hidizs store using our promocode: ZMCR10
Thank you for reading.
