HiBY W5 - 192KHz Bluetooth audio breakthrough

[IryxBRO]

HiBy W5 — the world’s first Bluetooth DAC/AMP receiver with UAT (Ultra Audio Transmission) codec that might set the new wireless audio standards for the entire industry. 192KHz Ultra Audio Transmission technology was developed by HiBy as new generation of Bluetooth audio codec superior to all previous standards. HiBy has managed to take the advantage of Bluetooth 5.0 and overcome previous bandwidth limitations that didn’t allow sufficient data transfer speeds, consequently lowering sampling frequency. With the introduction of UAT, 192KHz files with the maximum transfer rate of 1.2Mbps would be streamed directly from the source to headphones with no further downsampling.

HiBy W5 technical specifications and discription:

• Type: Bluetooth audio receiver with integrated DAC&AMP
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (CSR8675)
• Bluetooth audio codecs: SBC, AAC, apt-X, apt-X_LL, apt-X HD, LDAC, UAT
• Max. bit rate: 1.2Mbps
• Max. bit depth: 24bit
• Max. sampling frequency: 192kHz
• DAC&AMP chip: ESS Sabre ES9218P
• SNR: 118dB
• THD+N: -103dB
• Output power: 80mW+80mW@32Ω
• Audio output: 3.5mm
• Control elements: 1 sensor button + LED indicator
• Battery life: ≥20 hours (W5 battery + cradle battery), ≥100 hours at standby
• Compatibility: Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS
• Other features: intergrated mic for voice calls, IP67 waterproof, remote control by HiBY Music app
• Weight: 19.5g (W5), 57.1g (cradle)

Short comparison of main specs of the two latest audio codecs developed by Qualcomm (apt-X HD) and Sony (LDAC):

As far as we understand, HiBy might be pushing their innovation to different vendors right after confirming that it is perfectly stable. Anyway, W5 is compatible with all currently available BT audio codecs and could be paired to any other audio source supporting Bluetooth. Therefore, you can use it with any DAPs or smartphones and enjoy all advantages of the latest wireless audio transmission technologies.



HiBy has launched W5 on KickStarter on 5th of March and would start delivering production units on May. Next post of this thread would contain our review of fully functional peproduction sample.

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LINKS:

HiBy W5 on KickStarter: LINK
Official HiBy W5 page: LINK

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Reviews:

1. IryxBRO review: LINK
2. HiBy W5 on HeadFi: LINK
3. Review by Audio123: LINK
4. Review by Headfonics: LINK

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FAQ:

 

[IryxBRO]

My review is here

Review by Audio123: LINK
Review by Headfonics: LINK

 

[jant71]

Hmmm, no volume control is a deal breaker for me and other controls being worse than necessary doesn't help either... press and then press and hold to power down? I can see on TW earphones at their size but a BT amp should have the three control buttons at least like most others do.

 

[manukmanohar]

Hmmm, no volume control is a deal breaker for me and other controls being worse than necessary doesn't help either... press and then press and hold to power down? I can see on TW earphones at their size but a BT amp should have the three control buttons at least like most others do.

Oh, no! Lack of volume control is a bummer.

Btw , @IryxBRO , would you know what is the output impedance of the 3.5 mm out. (becomes important for OI sensitive iems like Massdrop Plus, Andromeda).

 

[IryxBRO]

Oh, no! Lack of volume control is a bummer.

Btw , @IryxBRO , would you know what is the output impedance of the 3.5 mm out. (becomes important for OI sensitive iems like Massdrop Plus, Andromeda).

No data. Should check or ask. I would update if I'd have this info

 

[rendyG]

I would really want to support Hiby on this project, but Earstudio ES100 just seems like a better option still, except w5 may sound just a touch better.
It doesn't have balanced out, volume buttons, the software and mainly it can't match the ES's battery life..
Now I'm regretting I didn't jump on ES100 back then :/ I didn't believe in bluetooth, until I tried ES100 for a minute recently.

Am I missing something?

 

[audio123]

My take on the HiBy W5. Enjoy & Happy Listening, as always!

Oh, no! Lack of volume control is a bummer.

Btw , @IryxBRO , would you know what is the output impedance of the 3.5 mm out. (becomes important for OI sensitive iems like Massdrop Plus, Andromeda).

I got you. Quite silent with my Andromeda!

 

[subtec]

HiBy has managed to take the advantage of Bluetooth 5.0 and overcome previous bandwidth limitations that didn’t allow sufficient data transfer speeds

This is a little misleading. Audio transmission is done over Bluetooth Classic, and BT Classic hasn't changed with BT 5.0. Only if it was using Bluetooth Low Energy (which it isn't) would BT 5.0 make a difference.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

No data. Should check or ask. I would update if I'd have this info

The output impedance is under one ohm. For more information, the w5's DAC and amp are the ESS ES9218P combo DAC/amp chip.

Oh, no! Lack of volume control is a bummer.

Btw , @IryxBRO , would you know what is the output impedance of the 3.5 mm out. (becomes important for OI sensitive iems like Massdrop Plus, Andromeda).

Actually it has volume and transport buttons, if a single button overloaded with button combos counts

 

[Pro-Jules]

Will I be able to listen to a HiBy R6 Pro in the highest quality setting UAT and also receive phone calls via my iPhone?

I other words will it be 'multi device'?

 

[IryxBRO]

Will I be able to listen to a HiBy R6 Pro in the highest quality setting UAT and also receive phone calls via my iPhone?

I other words will it be 'multi device'?

Can't tell anything about the IPhone but Android allows to receive calls no matter which codec is currently used

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Will I be able to listen to a HiBy R6 Pro in the highest quality setting UAT and also receive phone calls via my iPhone?

I other words will it be 'multi device'?

It connnects to one device at a time...

 

[IryxBRO]

It connnects to one device at a time...

Yep, but what is the point of sending data from R6Pro if sending it from a phone would be give the same sound quality.... don't know about IPhone in this case

 

[Pro-Jules]

Some Bluetooth devices can multi-pair.

Would be handy to be alerted and be able to take calls on my headphones.

 

[ClieOS]

I am interested as well. Unfortunately I can't place an pre-order on Hiby store for now as apparently I need to order it from a local distributor. Guess it will take a little longer to get one.