[kesobie]

CONGRATS TO HIBY ON THE RELEASE OF THE R1​

As it happens, I also got my R1 today and have been spending quite some time with it!

First impressions is that this is just crazy small. The entire DAP fits in the screen of the R3 II, and that’s already an impressively small DAP!

Also, HiBy seems to have given the R1 a new skin that is quite unique from every other HiByOS DAP.

But this thing is just seriously so adorable and small and would probably fit in a small breast pocket or even the small watch pocket in jeans.

The OS is definitely an improvement from their previous HiByOS DAPs because the album art actually loads this time around!

Anyways, more impressions to come soon!

 

[kesobie]

How To Unlock the Volume Lock of the HiBy R1​

VIDEO TUTORIAL: (coming soon)

Due to regulations in EU and China on audio/visual communication devices, HiBy has locked the volume of the R1 (and other music players) to just 54. Most people who listen at a reasonable volume should find the volume adequate, but this will not be enough for high volume listeners

Thankfully, I found a way to unlock this by unlocking the developer’s option of the DAP

In order to unlock the volume;

STEP 1: Head to the About Section of the R1​

STEP 2: Spam the HiBy logo until it says that you’re a developer​

STEP 3: Go back to the main page​

STEP 4: Go to the settings​

STEP 5: Scroll down until you find developer settings and press it​

STEP 6: Untick the volume lock​

You should be able to go beyond 54 volume on your R1 freely.

Enjoy your high-volume listening! (please take care of your ears)

 

[kesobie]

HIBY VOLUME LOCK EXPLAINED: Why the R1 (and other DAPs) are locked at 50% max volume​

The Volume Dilemma​

As I was testing the R1, I found that the volume was quite lacking and was only limited to 54 max. I thought this was weird and immediately informed HiBy as this is a pretty major con.

I should preface this by saying that while the volume is adequate for most users (including myself), I know that many audiophiles will nitpick and complain about the lack of headroom of the R1 despite claiming to output 101mW max and 70mW nominal.

I found this particularly problematic because I was already at 37/54 on High Gain on a very easy-to-drive IEM, the Kefine Delci. If this was low gain, I’d understand. But high gain at more than half on an IEM that is ridiculously easy to drive is quite problematic for people who have 0 care for their ears or just want the loudest output possible.

Initially, I was going to make this into a con. However, upon relaying this information, I was informed that this was done due to the IEC 62368-1, and this is explained in the most LAYMAN of terms as the paper is very technical and complicated and limits the base output of audio/visual devices to prevent injury and harm.

However, I found that by enabling the developer settings and unlocking the volume, you get CONSIDERABLY more output to the point where I couldn’t even get past 50 on low gain with the same Kefine Delci.

The difference is almost night and day when comparing the output of the R1 pre and post-volume unlock. But I also understand why HiBy chose to not disclose this information as most people who listen at a normal level will not find the volume to be a problem and obviously, law.

But if you’re one of the crazy few who likes to go hard at the volume rocker, then know that HiBy still has you covered even in their most affordable DAP to date.

HOW THIS AFFECTS HIBY​

If you own a HiBy DAP that was released recently and have upgraded to the latest firmware, you may notice that your HiBy device has been warning you that going beyond 40 volume may damage your hearing. And if you’re anything like me, this served less as a warning and more as a nuisance.

This is due to the same reason why the R1 was volume locked and, in some units, will also be like the R1 where you need to go into the developer setting and untoggled the volume lock.

THE FUTURE OF MUSIC PLAYERS​

This doesn’t just affect HiBy DAPs, however. If a brand wants to sell in the EU or China, they have to abide by these regulations.

This means that every DAP that has been in production and will be released in the future will be forced to create these volume restrictions on their devices, whether that’d be HiBy, Shanling, iBasso, or even Sony.

The question to ponder over now is whether this was a good idea in the first place. I’m no sound engineer and I’m definitely not qualified to make rules. But there are just way too many variables at play when creating these audio/visual devices from transducers (the headphones themselves) to the files and software that can affect the output.

I understand that this is for the safety of the consumer, but the consumer has a million other ways to bypass this limitation from using an external DAC with hardware volume to applications that artificially increase the perceived output of the device.

Regardless, that’s how it is not and it’s up to the companies how they can bypass this issue and ensure that the customers get both the safety they need and the power output that they deserve.


REFERENCES:

1. How to unlock the volume of the HiBy R1 (and other HiBy devices)
   1. https://audionotions.com/how-to-unlock-the-volume-lock-of-the-hiby-r1/
2. IEC 62368-1 Paper (CHAPTER 10.2)
   1. https://www.china-gauges.com/common/down/name/5710ecb863a33.pdf

 

[abitdeef]

Thanks for this, more nanny state BS. I definitely need full volume. I'm old and I'm used to blowing up my ears. I want to do what I want to do don't need any government guidance.

Anyways purchased a green one, just couldn't resist for the price. I love compact daps. Looks perfect for hiking, jogging, mowing, housework, etc.

 

[Mr.HiAudio]

R1 does support an USB-DAC?

 

[kesobie]

HiBy R1 BATTERY, CHARGING AND PLAYBACK TEST​

One of the most asked things about the R1 is how good is its battery life. And quite frankly, the specs don’t lie

TESTING PERIMETERS​

• HiBy R1
• 37 volume high gain (volume locked)
• KZ Saga
• ZOO ! by Necry Talkie on SD card (looped)
• Wi-Fi on and connected
• Bluetooth on (not connected)

I did a drain test on the R1 from 93% all the way to 32% and got a total of 10 hours and 20 minutes on a single charge. Considering the 1150 mAh battery in this thing and the fact that I there was almost a 40% total battery that was not drained means that this is guaranteed to reach that 15-hour claim with no problems.

As for charging, here are the perimeters:

TESTING PERIMETERS:​

• UGreen GaN 30w Fast Charger
• Samsung fast charge/data cable

I charged the R1 from 19% all the way to 97% which gave me a total time of 1 hour and 24 minutes. Once again, with their advertised 0 to 100% charging, I’m pretty confident that the R1 could actually reach those numbers.

Heating​

As for the warmth and feel of the R1 after the drain test, it barely felt warm despite running for over 10 hours straight non-stop. I also ended up using it to actually listen to music and I went on without a hitch.

I will do further drain testing using a couple of dongle DACs as well as streaming (if I can get an account) and playing music from 100 volume from 100% to 0% and see how far the R1 goes.

Let me know if you have other questions! I will be posting my other impressions very soon.

 

[kesobie]

R1 does support an USB-DAC?

Yep! It does

 

[Mr.HiAudio]

Yep! It does

Thank you dear

How i see - no statusbar(with time and battery info) on playing page? Or just statusbar is hiden?

 

[kesobie]

Thanks for this, more nanny state BS. I definitely need full volume. I'm old and I'm used to blowing up my ears. I want to do what I want to do don't need any government guidance.

Anyways purchased a green one, just couldn't resist for the price. I love compact daps. Looks perfect for hiking, jogging, mowing, housework, etc.

Awesome! I'm actually tempted to get one of those old iPod nano bicep brace for when I work out with these

 

[kesobie]

Thank you dear

How i see - no statusbar(with time and battery info) on playing page? Or just statusbar is hiden?

Yep no status bar when playing. It looks cleaner that way IMO

 

[abitdeef]

Needs the dark theme, hiby will update it I'm sure.

 

[abitdeef]

Yep! It does

Yep! It does

Nice looking little screen, nice to see another Globular fan

 

[kesobie]

Nice looking little screen, nice to see another Globular fan

I will always be proud to say that my first FLAC files were from Ektoplazm and were Globular's Entangled Everything LOL

 

[Twizzle]

As this is HiBy OS, is it only the HiByMusic app that's available to play local music? Anyway I could install PowerAmp?

Is there any way it can Scrobble to Last.fm?

 

[kesobie]

As this is HiBy OS, is it only the HiByMusic app that's available to play local music? Anyway I could install PowerAmp?

Is there any way it can Scrobble to Last.fm?

As much as it pains me, no you cannot scrobble with this device. It's a non-android HiByOS and is just a pure music (and txt reader) device, so no poweramp