HiBy x F.Audio Project Ace

Hiby is mostly known for their digital audio players and applications like Hiby Music and Hiby Cast. Occasionally, they release earphones, which consistently receive praise. This time, they have collaborated with the boutique earphone brand F.Audio to bring us the Project Ace. Typically, F.Audio’s offerings are much more expensive, so this collaboration presents the most affordable IEMs F.Audio has ever been involved with, priced at $249.

Disclaimers​

Hiby x F.Audio Project Ace, along with Hiby’s R4, was sent to me by Hiby as part of the Turkey Tour of the Audio Geek Review Group. I don’t get to keep these tour units, even at the end of the tour. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another, so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Also, I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on without worrying about the word count. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments, and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.

Build and Accessories of F.Audio Project Ace​

The Project Ace is a well-built and uniquely designed pair of IEMs. The shells are fully made out of metal carved with CNC. The hexagonal shape doesn’t exactly make them ergonomic, but they certainly look striking.



Each side has one 12 mm lithium-magnesium alloy dome and beryllium-coated driver. The cable that comes with the Project Ace is also very well made. It’s on the thicker side with 8 cores and a little stiff but still manageable. The product page states it consists of both silver and silver-plated copper strands. The cable utilizes a proprietary interchangeable locking termination mechanism and comes with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced terminations. The Project Ace also comes with 6 pairs of eartips and a cleaning brush. The included tips are 3 pairs of silicone and 3 pairs of foam. Lastly, the case included in the box looks great and reminds me of the case that comes with more expensive FiiO IEMs. It has a separator inside for you to store tips or alternative accessories, which is a nice touch. Overall, the unboxing experience isn’t too extravagant but still feels very premium.

Sound of Hiby x F.Audio Project Ace​

Tonality​

The Project Ace has a different sound signature than most IEMs released these days. It’s not esoteric but rather a forgotten and missed sound signature.

Ace aims for a mid-centric clean tone. It’s not bassy, bright, or colored. The lower bass level might upset some, but it has a very controlled and tasteful bass thanks to the rather large driver and big acoustic chamber. Subbass extension is decent too, and it backs the bass with a nice punch.

The mids are the highlighted area on the Project Ace. They sound very clean and crisp. Clarity is top-notch among single DDs on the market. Everything sounds very natural, and there is not much else to say really. Here is a little rant: mids are definitely where music lives and what makes or breaks sound reproduction gear. But there is not much to describe if the mids are good. The best praise you can give is that it sounds natural.



The Project Ace’s treble is mostly controlled and tame without sounding too blunted, except for one area: lower treble or presence. The peak around 5 kHz-6 kHz you see on the graphs is real. It’s a very narrow peak and must be intentional. It adds a unique pop and snap to your music overall. Even drum hits are snappier than usual. But it also makes the Ace sibilant. If you can tolerate it, the Project Ace is just a slightly quirky but exciting pair of IEMs.

Technicalities​

The Project Ace is decently detailed and moderately resolving. There is minimal masking, so you don’t miss small nuances. Timbre is very good. But the most impressive attribute of the Ace is its staging capability. It has an expansive stage in all three dimensions. Actually it kind of reminded me of Sony IER-Z1R with staging, in terms of fit too. However, the imaging is a little fuzzy and blurry. Layering and separation are OK. As always, comparisons should give more context.

Comparisons​

Hiby x F.Audio Project Ace vs. Simgot EA1000​

• EA1000 definitely has more bass and tone weight. It also extends deeper into the subbass. But Ace has a certain snap that even comes through in drum hits, which is unique. EA1000 has a more nuanced and detailed bass.
• Project Ace sounds cleaner and crisper in the mids. EA1000 has more body and is shoutier. Ace, on the other hand, gets sibilant easier.
• EA1000 is overall brighter. Project Ace is closer to neutral in the treble region but has an emphasis in the presence area. It adds a certain snap, especially apparent in drum hits. But it also makes it sibilant. EA1000 is airier and possibly can get fatiguing easier.
• They trade blows in terms of staging. While EA1000 feels somewhat more spacious thanks to lots of air, Project Ace’s stage expands wider and deeper, probably due to its bigger drivers and shell design. Imaging is sharper and more precise on EA1000.
• EA1000 is more detailed thanks to the brighter tuning, but Project Ace is as resolving as EA1000, if not more. Ace is incisive and keeps its composure even in the busiest passages. EA1000, on the other hand, can get splashy occasionally. Overall timbre is better on Project Ace.

Hiby x F.Audio Project Ace vs BQEYZ Winter​

• Winter is warmer and slightly bassier. Project Ace’s subbass extension is better. In terms of quality, Ace’s bass is more defined but bass guitars on Winter are more satisfying.
• Vocals are more forward on Winter but not shouty at all. Project Ace, like before, sounds cleaner and crisper. Again, Ace easily gets sibilant. Winter has occasional sibilance too but not at Ace’s level.
• Winter’s treble is slightly better. Project Ace’s treble is pretty much on point, but that excess presence emphasis and the last bit of bite that Winter has makes Ace lose out.
• To my ears, Winter is ever so slightly more detailed. Project Ace’s timbre is mostly more natural but again, emphasis around 5k sometimes breaks the spell.
• Headstage on Project Ace is bigger in all dimensions but the imaging is fuzzier. Winter’s imaging is more precise.

Conclusion​

We live in a time where people write off some headphones and IEMs just by looking at their FR graphs, and it makes me sad. I have a feeling that Project Ace will not get the attention it deserves. As I tried to convey, Project Ace is a great-sounding pair of IEMs that just has a quirk, which is not an oversight but probably intentional. If you use an equalizer, you can always reduce this area a little with one filter. I’m not usually impressed by staging in IEMs, but the Project Ace has great staging capability and timbre. The tuning also feels like a fresh breath of air among all those Harman variant IEMs. Hiby and F.Audio made a bold statement here, so if you can, I highly suggest you give Project Ace a listen.

Collaboration

Once upon a time, the concept of a collaboration between a manufacturer and a reviewer to build an In-Ear Monitor (IEM) was a rare occurrence and a promising sign of a breakthrough in sonic performance and price-to-value ratio.

However, collaborations have become much more common today, which may have diminished their initial excitement. Yet, there is a less common form of collaboration that I find more intriguing: partnerships between manufacturers themselves. Today, we’ll be examining the result of such a collaboration between HiBy and FAudio, in the form of an IEM called Project ACE.

Forewords​

• What I look for in an IEM is immersion. I want to feel the orchestra around my head, track individual instruments, and hear all of their textures and details. I’m not picky about tonality, as long as it is not make the orchestra, violin, cellos, and pianos sound wrong.
• I rate IEMs within with a consistent scale from 1 (Poor) to 3 (Good) to 5 (Outstanding). An overall ranking of 3/5 or above is considered positive.
• Ranking list and measurement database are on my IEM review blog.
• Terms used in my reviews are consistent with the glossary by Headphonesty
• This review is based on a review sample from HiBy (Thank you William and Joe @ HiBy!). I have no affiliation with or financial interest in HiBy. The unit would be returned to HiBy after this review.
• The unit retails for $249 at the time this review was published. Unaffiliated link: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-x-faudio-project-ace

General Information​

Project ACE marks a collaborative effort between HiBy, renowned for their digital audio playback R&D, particularly in the realm of digital audio players (DAPs), and FAudio, a notable Chinese audio boutique specializing in high-end IEMs, particularly those featuring dynamic drivers (DD).

At the heart of Project ACE lies a single dynamic driver boasting several notable features. Firstly, it sports a large diaphragm with a diameter of 12mm, surpassing the standard 10mm size. This diaphragm is plated in Beryllium, a material known for its exceptional stiffness and lightness. Additionally, the dome is crafted from a magnesium alloy, blended with lithium elements, and affixed atop the Beryllium diaphragm. To power this metal diaphragm, strong magnets are employed. The magnets are so potent that when I place the earpieces of Project ACE adjacent to each other for a photograph, I couldn’t keep them sitting still because they keep pulling each other.

Non-sound Aspects​

Packaging and accessories: Project ACE arrives in a cardboard box with an outer sleeve, following the pattern seen with other HiBy IEMs. Inside, you’ll find the essentials:

• The earpieces themselves
• A leather carrying case with a soft lining
• 3 pairs of silicone ear tips and 3 pairs of foam ear tips, neatly organized in a plastic box (a familiar sight from previous HiBy IEMs)
• A 4-wire IEM cable with interchangeable plugs
• A small brush for maintenance
• Various paperwork.

Earpiece design: Crafted from full metal, the earpieces boast a sturdy build and is decently weighty. Unlike some other models, they do not mimic the shape of custom IEMs, which may affect how they fit in your ears. The nozzles are of medium width but slightly longer than average.

Fit, comfort, and isolation: Achieving the perfect fit may require some experimentation, particularly due to the design of the nozzles. I’ve personally found that Comply foam tips offer a snug fit, though the stock tips also work well, albeit with a slightly shallower insertion. However, noise isolation is below average, likely due to the vents on the earpieces.

Ear tips recommendation: For optimal comfort and performance, I recommend foam tips, particularly Comply, which tend to provide a secure seal. Alternatively, opting for smaller silicone tips can help achieve a deeper fit, enhancing both comfort and sound isolation. From personal experience, I’ve had success with options like Sancai Wide Bore tips, Tri Clarion tips, and SpinFit CP145.

Sonic Performance​

Testing setup:

• Sources: HiBy R4, HiBy R3II, iBasso DX300, Luxury & Precision W4, FiiO K7
• Cable: Stock cable with 4.4mm jack
• Ear tips: Comply medium foam tips

Timbre, tonality, and tonal balance: Figure shows the frequency response of Project ACE against the Harman in-ear target. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Above 8kHz, the measurement might not be correct. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.



It is helpful to think of an IEM as a filter that highlights or subdues different parts of the incoming audio signal. This effect can be measured objectively by the squiggly lines above, called Frequency Response (FR) graphs, which measure how loud an IEM is at different frequencies from 20Hz (bass) to 20kHz (upper treble). Subjectivity is how your ears and brain interpret the effect of that filter on your music and decide whether it is “enjoyable.” There are some “rules of thumb” when it comes to tonality, but most interesting IEMs usually bend the rules masterfully.

The tonal balance of Project ACE diverges notably from the typical offerings in the market, which often adhere to variations of the Harman curve. This distinction is stark, even jarring, particularly when swiftly switching between Project ACE and more conventional IEMs like Moondrop Blessing 2. Despite this deviation, Project ACE’s tonality doesn’t veer into the realm of the uncanny. Instruments such as orchestra, voices, violin, and piano — my benchmarks for tonality and timbre — sound natural and convincing with Project ACE.



Project ACE’s tonality can be dissected into three key characteristics. Firstly, its flat response across frequencies results in minimal variation in sound at different volume levels, a factor that will be elaborated upon in the discussion on bass and dynamics. Secondly, there’s a reserved upper midrange boost, starting from 1kHz and gradually ascending to 2.5kHz, without opting for the excessive 12.5dB boost common in many contemporary IEMs. Additionally, there’s a discernible cut around 4kHz, reminiscent of the Symphonium Meteor IEM, potentially contributing to a perception of a more expansive soundstage. Lastly, the lower treble peak at 5kHz introduces a divisive element. While it enhances crispness, definition, and tactile sensations, especially with percussion instruments and plucked strings, it may also verge on harshness for listeners accustomed to the emphasis on 3kHz over 5kHz in conventional IEMs.

Overall, the distinctive tuning by HiBy and FAudio lends Project ACE character and a unique presentation without compromising its tonality and timbre. However, the lower treble boost could be a deal-breaker for treble-sensitive listeners. Hence, I would rate the tonality and tuning of Project ACE as 3/5 – Good, competent but potentially niche.

Bass and perceived dynamic:

Project ACE sounds more punchy and dynamic than its frequency response (FR) graph suggests. This can be attributed to its clever utilization of the equal loudness curve. Essentially, you need to turn up the volume to achieve the right loudness at the midrange and upper midrange regions. Given that Project ACE’s FR is quite flat, increasing the volume simultaneously elevates the bass and treble. Due to the equal loudness effect, these regions are perceived as significantly louder, enhancing the overall dynamism and punchiness of the sound. Another factor contributing to Project ACE’s impressive bass and dynamics is the size of the dynamic driver (DD) employed.



The bass and dynamic prowess of Project ACE is particularly evident when listening to the album “Remember That You Will Die” by Polyphia, especially the track “Playing God.” For instance, the bass drop at 0:27 is strong and well-defined without being sloppy. There is a proper sense of silence or “darkness” between the kicks of the bass drum, which intensifies these kicks. The cymbals and hi-hats have a crisp attack, as heard around the 02:00 mark, and are well-defined and detailed. The low-pitched rumble of the bass guitar is both audible and palpable.

Simply put, I’m impressed with how this IEM renders percussion instruments and bass drops. The presentation is punchy and snappy, yet the bass does not overpower the rest of the mix. The bass texture, whilst not the best of the test, is quite good. These factors lead me to give the bass and dynamics of Project ACE a solid 4.5/5 – Outstanding.



Resolution: To me, “resolution” can be broken down into three components: (1) Sharpness, incisiveness, or “definition” of note attacks (see the figure above). (2) The separation of instruments and vocals, especially when they overlap on the soundstage. (3) The texture and details in the decay side of the notes. The first two give music clarity and make it easy to track individual elements of a mix. The last provides music details and nuances.

The dynamic driver used in Project ACE is very capable of ensuring clear definition and separation of notes and instruments. A small peak in the lower treble around 5kHz also aids in enhancing note definition, making the overall sound sharp and distinct. This capability shines through in complex and busy tracks, such as in the album “Remember that You Will Die” by Polyphia, particularly in “ABC (feat. Sophia Black).” Every note attack feels crisp and defined.



However, the separation of instruments could be improved. Despite the crisp note attacks, I find it a bit challenging to separate and follow individual elements in the busier sections of the track. On the other hand, the presentation of micro details, particularly at the decay end of notes, along with the reverberation and decay, is highly competent. When listening to Project ACE alone, I don’t feel that any details have been truncated or are missing. The sound of the violin in the album “Bach: Sei Solo” by Leonidas Kavakos showcases this strength well.

In the grand scheme of IEMs, I find that Project ACE resolves details at a level comparable to the Moondrop Blessing 2. While the Blessing 2 has a slight edge in detail retrieval for very busy tracks, this advantage disappears with sparse music. Overall, I consider Project ACE to be on par with the Blessing 2, allowing me to rate its resolution as “good” (3/5).



Stereo imaging and soundstage: Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues in the recording, which are enhanced or diminushed by your IEMs, your DAC, and your amplifier. In rare cases, with some specific songs, some IEMs can trick you into thinking that the sound comes from the environment (a.k.a., “holographic”)

The soundstage of Project ACE is expansive in all directions: width, depth, and height. This remarkable characteristic allows for an immersive listening experience, where each instrument is distinctly placed within the mix. The layering is particularly impressive, with a proper sense of separation between closer and more distant elements, creating a three-dimensional effect that enhances the overall listening experience.



For instance, when listening to the Gladiator Suite from the album LIVE by Hans Zimmer, the first rumble of the bass is strongly present, firmly grounded in the middle of the soundstage. The center and foreground elements, such as the guitar in Part 1 of the suite, have a good presence without being overly forward or intrusive. Background elements, like the string section panned to the sides around the 03:00 mark in Part 1, sound properly distant, adding depth and realism to the performance. Additionally, the section starting around the 01:45 mark in Part 2 of the suite sounds appropriately large, further showcasing the expansive nature of Project ACE’s soundstage.

Overall, I would rate the soundstage a solid 4/5 – great. Project ACE nails the shape and dimension of the stage. The only limitation I can think of is the lack of a laser sharp focus of the stereo image that some TOTL multi-BA IEMs can achieve.

Multimedia usage:

Project ACE is competent with both movie and gaming, thanks to the dynamic presentation and the way it shapes the soundstage.

Pairing​

Project ACE is relatively easy to drive, thanks to its reasonable impedance of 32 ohms and high sensitivity, which clocks in at 115 dB at 1 kHz. It works well with the Apple dongle and improves from there. I’ve found that the R3II and R4 are the sweet spot for Project ACE, as they push it close to the level of sound quality I experience from my reference chain (iBasso DX300 with stock amplifier) without breaking the bank.

Like most single DD IEMs, Project ACE sounds better when driven by an amplifier with more “voltage swing.” One easy way to get this extra voltage swing is to take advantage of the 4.4mm output on your source device.

Comparisons​

Simgot EA1000: (re-post from the EA1000 review) The first impression when I swap from EA1000 to Project ACE was shock due to the difference between tuning. The treble emphasis at around 6kHz and the subdued upper midrange of Project ACE stood in stark contrast against the suddued treble and boosted upper midrange of EA1000. I don’t think any approach is superior to the other, as my brain can EQ both sound signatures without much difficulty. After the “brain burn-in” / EQ kicked in, I found that the tuning of ACE makes the soundstage feels more spread out, not crowding the phantom centre like EA1000. However, EA1000 regains ground thanks to, again, the uncanny out-of-head illusion of the background elements of the music. The instrument separation, note definition, and micro details at the decay end of the note are all slightly better on Project ACE. Even though ACE does not have a distinct bass shelf, its tuning approach to take advantage of the equal loudness curve makes it sounds more dynamic. On ther other hand, EA1000 has a slight edge in terms of the bass texture.

Conclusions​

Project ACE, a collaboration between HiBy and FAudio, introduces a distinctive tuning that diverges from the typical offerings in the market. The large 12mm metal diaphragm impresses with its punchy bass, detailed resolution, and expansive soundstage. However, the lower treble peak at 5kHz may polarize listeners, offering enhanced crispness at the expense of potential harshness for treble-sensitive ears. Still, this IEM aligns well with my preference, making it one of the more interesting single DD IEMs I have experienced so far.

What I like about this IEM:

• Bass and dynamic
• Soundstage
• A different tonality, without losing naturalness

What could be improved:

• Lower treble peak can be divisive
• Can be challenging to achieve a good fit

Absolute Sonic Quality Rating: 3.5/5 - Very Good

Bias Score: 4/5 - I like this IEM.



Updated: May 26, 2024

HiBy x FAudio Project Ace Review: ACE IN THE HOLE?​

PRICE: $249​

PROS:​

• Unique aesthetics
• Good quality inclusions
• Uses the best kind of modular cable system
• Easy to drive, very good scaling
• AMAZING bass to midrange tone and timbre
• Superb technical ability
• Amazing low end texture and note weight
• Warm yet naturally sounding lower midrange

CONS:​

• Odd ergonomics
• A little sharp and edgy on the treble

WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR:​

• People who want a proper dynamic listening experience
• People who want a very technical sounding set for the price
• People who want a linear but very engaging bass-to-midrange presentation
• People who can stand a little bit of treble spice and sharpness
• People who like a very textured-sounding low end

WHO THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:​

• Treble sensitive
• Timbre heads
• Fit-sensitive people
• People who want the cleanest sound signature
• People who want something airier

RECOMMENDED GENRES:​

• R&B
• Soul
• Funk
• Pop

SHORT REVIEW:​

Seemingly coming out from nowhere, F.Audio and HiBy has just created arguably one of the best lower midrange Single DD IEM in the market today. Unique presentation, superb dynamic sound and stellar technicalities are just some of the things this little blue dorrito has accomplished. Unfortunately, its Achilles heel of a treble may make or break your experience with this set due to the sharp and edgy mid treble that is followed by a dip that gives the impression of sounding choked. Nonetheless, the Project Ace is definitely something to look out for if you’re a Dynamic Driver lover like me. RECOMMENDED WITH CAVEATS!

FULL REVIEW​

Collaboration IEMs. Sometimes they revolutionize the market and how competitive the offerings are, sometimes they are complete flops and the collaborators would actively try to erase its existence. Most of the time, these collaborations are between a content creator and a brand. Sometimes it could even be a distributor and a brand.

But in rare cases, two brands will decide to collaborate to create something with the use of each other’s expertise. Think Elysian and Effect Audio with the Gaia. Or Nightjar and Symphonium Meteor. A common theme between the two companies is one handles the acoustics and the other handles the aesthetics or the cable.

But what in the world are HiBy and F.Audio doing to make an IEM together? HiBy, known for their music player app and DAC/AMPs, and F.Audio, known for their TOTL in-ears making an IEM together? What exactly is the Project Ace? And why does it look like a blue Dorito? Well, we’ll answer all of this in today’s comprehensive review of the HiBy x F.Audio Project Ace.

DISCLAIMER: This product was sent over by HiBy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity. I was not paid. Rest assured, my thoughts and opinions on this product will be of my own honest opinions and will not be affected by the facts beforehand.

Audio is a very subjective hobby and as much as I try to objectively explain my thoughts and opinions, your mileage will vary. My preferences will also affect how I perceive the gear that I review. Sources and other accessories will also modify your experience. Lastly, my reviews should always be used only as a guide and not as the definitive bible. Trust your ears to know what’s good.

THE FIRST PROJECT​

Two seemingly contrasting brands, F.Audio and HiBy have set out to create something very unique with the Project Ace, not only in appearance but in sound. Both of these companies have had years under their belt, HiBy in particular have dabbled in many different product categories from music players, applications, dongle DACs, and even in-ears. F.Audio is no different as they have been known to release very unique TOTL in-ears that were founded by a music producer in the name of Ken Lee. So what can this $249 in-ear monitor made with the power of two experienced companies offer?

UNBOXING:​

The first thing that you’ll notice with the unboxing of the Project Ace is the fact that this resembles their Yvain quite a lot. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I just thought it was interesting that they’d use a similar presentation to their previous set.

Anyway, digging into the unboxing itself we’re met with the usual lore of the IEM in a piece of paper and the IEMs sitting on their lovely throne along with the accessories strewn around.

Here is the full list of accessories:

• Project Ace IEMs
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm 4-pin lock adaptors
• Litz 4 strand cable
• 6 pairs of eartips (3 silicone, 3 foams)
• Storage bag
• Cleaning brush
• Paperwork

One motif you’ll see quite frequently with Project Ace is the usage of this very beautiful shade of blue. You can find this on the IEMs themselves as well as the case and I just love this shade of blue. It’s a midnight-like blue that is very easy on the eyes and a pain in the ass to photoshoot. But still very lovely.


The case that the Project Ace comes in is quite nice with a very spacious internal that comes with a divider to split your accessories (or IEMs) into separate pieces. It’s a very well-built case, but not particularly pocketable at all. It’s great to store your IEMs in your home and maybe inside your bag, but you won’t catch me trying to put this big square in my pocket. My only nitpick is that maybe, just maybe, a pentagon case would’ve fit the aesthetics of the IEMs a little bit better.



As for the rest of the accessories, you get a basic cleaning tool as well as a tip case with a couple of tips inside. They provide 2 kinds of eartips. Silicone and Foams. I will mention very soon why this addition, while found in their older sets, is essential to the Project Ace if you can stand using foam eartips.

Build & Fit​

Now, let’s talk about the most interesting part of the Project Ace so far. The build & fit. And yes, I mention fit too because it’s equally as interesting, albeit not in a good way.

But first, let’s talk internals. The Project Ace features a 12mm Berylium Plated Diaphram with a Magnesium and Lithium alloy dome Dynamic Driver housed in a T6063 aluminum alloy CNC processed shell and a 0.78 2-pin connector.



Blue dorito. That is what I’ve called the Project Ace for the longest time and for good reason. Look at the thing. It’s a pentagonal faceplate of a blue variety. And I know a dorito only has 3 sides, but still doesn’t that remind you of chips? Piatos maybe (to the Filipinos out there) but whatever it may be, it’s a very interesting shape.



Unfortunately, this has the effect of not being the most ergonomic IEM. The shape doesn’t really do much for comfort as the inner shell is VERY thick and the nozzle is quite long. This means the stock silicone tips were very ineffective at providing a good seal and a comfortable fit. Only by using small, stubby eartips like the Zhu Bamboo, Sancai Widebore, or even TRN T tips do you get a properly good seal. Obviously, the Clarion’s made this the best fitting IEM ever, but that just showcases the inconsistency this has in terms of fitting.

Admittedly, however, it is quite comfortable in long listening sessions when you get the right tips. I never felt pressure in or around my ears whatsoever which deserves a bit of praise considering the kind of shape they went for and using the correct tips give this just the right amount of stability and seal to make it quite comfy.



Where I want to hype the Project Ace more is with the cable At first glance, it might seem like your basic 4-strand Litz cable. But look closer and deeper, you’ll see that the Project Ace has a trick up its sleeve.



That’s right, it’s the best kind of modular system. Instead of using the rudimentary plug-and-unplug method, the Project Ace’s cable features a screw lock mechanism. This reminds me of the Q Lock of Dunu’s Hulk Pro Mini which I also loved. But this is much much cheaper, at least compared to the IEM that you have to get that kind of cable. I cannot stress how much I love this modular system so much and I really hope they sell this cable separately. The Yvain also features a similar modular system, but the cable itself was worse in quality.

SOUND​

PREFACE: Tip-Roll is key​

Before I talk about the sound, I just want to emphasize the importance of tip-rolling the Project Ace. In my initial listen, I found that the treble sounded a little bit grainy and sharp with the bass sounding quite strong and incisive. I loved how it sounded, but I also knew that people might not find it too appealing. That was until I popped the foams onto these and found how much it smoothens out the overall sound. The treble peak is considerably smoother and the bass is tamer. This had the added effect of making the midrange even better than when using silicone eartips. So if you plan to get the Project Ace, consider tip rolling. This review was done with Silicone eartips as my ears do not like foams, but please consider using the foam eartips

Sound Signature​

The Project Ace is this somewhat weird flavor of neutral. It’s not flat neutral where it sounds dry, lean and analytical. But it’s also not the natural sound with heavy focus on timbre while keeping it very engaging. It’s like a mixture of that, which ends up making the Project Ace both natural and analytical sounding. Bass is VERY well done with amazing texture and note definition, the mids are well-bodied with a lot of nuance and character and the treble is a little spicy but quite resolving.

Source Pairing​

The Project Ace are not only easy to drive, they are VERY easy to drive. Using an inefficient/noisy source will bring out noise in this IEM. Using your smartphone is more than enough to get an enjoyable listen out of this. However, using a better source improves upon its dynamic presentation and smoothens out the treble. That makes the Project Ace solid for both low-powered and high-quality sources.

Bass:​

One of the first things that stood out to me with the Project Ace is the bass. And while I do have my expectations for a midrange single DD to have good bass quality by default (otherwise it gets eaten by the EA1000, Falcon Ultra, or Winter), the Project Ace blew my mind by not only having a very tight and clean bass but also a very textured and rich sounding bass. The 12mm dynamic driver truly does wonders as it balances both quality and quantity in the perfect way. It’s not big woofy bass, mind you. It’s generous, clean yet engaging, and punchy.

Listening to Send It by D’Angelo has been one of the best listening experiences I’ve had so far. As soon as the first bass riff plays, you’re transported to groovyland with how rich the bass guitars are rendered on the Project Ace. The texture in every strum is so good. The kickdrums are also felt but non-intrusive. You get enveloped in this sense of warmth without drowning you in it and it’s absolutely amazing.

Mids:​

This perfectly translates into the midrange where the tonal balance between male and female vocals is perfect. This translates to the rest of the ensemble having this perfect harmony of really good note weight while having a crisp and clear definition that never sounded recessed or unnatural. Male vocals and low-frequency instruments in particular sound absolutely amazing on these and perfectly transition into the upper mids in such a silky smooth manner. The upper mids are admittedly thicker than what the recent trends in audio have been providing, but I’d say this makes vocals sound more organic and natural to the ears.

I want to use D’Angelo again, but I would like to use a different artist for the midrange. Daniel Cesar’s 2017 album, Freudian sounds perfect on the Project Ace, full stop. From Get You’s slow and sensual basslines paired with Daniel’s smooth vocals and hard-hitting percussive all the way to We Find Love and its rich pianos and harmonies, the Project Ace is able to render it with such grace with one critique that I’ll be mentioning in the next section. But if we’re talking about the mids and bass, the Project Ace is genuinely a perfect IEM for R&B and Soul genres.

Treble:​

And here we are to the part of the Project Ace that I wanted to love so badly, but just couldn’t. The treble is quite detailed with good sparkle and incisiveness. And as a treblehead, I honestly could appreciate the amount of sparkle and brightness that the Project Ace provides. It’s also very detailed with a lot of nuances. However, it’s quite uneven and causes a somewhat grainy and occasionally sharp and unnatural tone to the mix. This is particularly evident in the trailing highs of vocals and percussive instruments. It isn’t helped with the air region being deliberately rolled off to compliment the rich low frequencies as the contrast from the massive peak in the mid-treble to the sudden dip to the upper treble gives a somewhat low-res sound due to the graininess and sudden shift in energy.

The best song I can describe this is Atomic by Blonde. That song is my test track when it comes to treble timbre and splashiness due to how aggressively the percussive instruments were mixed into that track. And it could not have been splashier on the Project Ace. Granted, it didn’t sound overly harsh like some other hybrid sets I’ve heard on this track. But to have an almost perfect tuning to only reach this kind of treble kind of bummed me out. At the very least the detail retrieval here is still very good and competent for the price.

Technicalities:​

The technical ability of the Project Ace is superb. Not only is it good for a single DD, but it’s also really good for the price. The only IEMs that can match Project Ace’s technicalities are the top-of-the-class IEMs for the price which include the Falcon Ultra, EA1000, and BQEYZ Winter. Separation and layering are very clean although out despite the warmer low end and edgy upper frequencies. Imaging and stage are very immersive, although not entirely holographic as these are still in-ear. And I’ve talked about the texture enough to mention it again, but it’s fantastic. The only thing I really hear it struggles with is resolution and refinement due to the edginess and splashiness up top. Otherwise, very technical set!

REAL WORLD USAGE​

Casual Use:​

Unfortunately, due to the shape and fitting of the Project Ace, I found them to not be the most stellar for media consumption. Long-term comfort is great as it never digs into your ear, but it’s quite unstable especially if you move around. The tuning, while great for general media consumption might bring out unintended harshness in the higher frequencies. Dialogue however is very full and never distant on these and the superb technical ability makes even the busiest and most action-packed scenes with dialogue quite audible.

Gaming Use:​

Gaming fairs better on the Project Ace as the tuning compliments competitive games like Valorant really compliments the specific sounds you’d want to hear really well. Immersive games are much closer to movies and the harshness can both be a great and a bad thing depending on what kind of game you play. On more immersive games with a lot of environmental sounds, that peak benefits the overall sound as it brings out the micro nuances in the sound design. Bigger set pieces with sharper sound will be painful, unfortunately. But overall, great set for gaming!

COMPARISONS​

VS Simgot EA1000​

Arguably the best Single DD (technically) IEM I’ve heard under $500, the Project Ace gets surprisingly close to competing against the EA1000. The bass and lower mids sound more natural on the Project Ace due to the flatter response. However, the EA1000 still edges the Project Ace overall due to the generally better-tuned, more technical nature of the EA1000. The bass on the EA1000 is still more tactile and tighter sounding than the Project Ace’s and the treble sounds CONSIDERABLY smoother, despite being brighter than the Project Ace. Accessories are better on the Project Ace through and offer a more complete package that even includes a modular cable.

vs Simgot EA2000​

Now you might be wondering why I’m comparing a $319 IEM with a $249 IEM. That’s because genetically, they are very similar. Deep, tactile bass with ridiculously bright treble peaks that ruin the overall timbre. The main difference would be the EA2000 bass still sounds more tactile and richer with the treble peak sounding just a little bit smoother while the Project Ace sounds considerably more natural in the bass to midrange. Technicalities still go to the EA2000 with just how clean the separation is for how bright it sounds and the dynamics of the bass. But not too shabby comparing the two together as they still feature very similar characteristics.

vs Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti​

Compared to the Falcon Ultra Titanium Edition, the Project Ace has a cleaner, tighter, and more tactile bass response while the Falcon Ultra Ti is smoother and more natural sounding overall. The treble sounds CONSIDERABLY cleaner on the Falcon Ultra Ti, but the technicalities would have to go to the Project Ace for having a cleaner separation and layering while having more holographic imaging and stage compared to the Falcon Ultra.

vs Letshuoer D13​

Just like the EA2000 comparison, why the hell am I comparing a $129 which can be bought for only $89 IEM being compared with a $249 IEM? And just like the EA2000, they have very similar DNAs. Essentially, the D13 is a worse Project Ace in every way but retains the bass tactility and tightness that makes it one of the best IEMs if you want quality and quantity. The Project Ace improves upon this but also keeps that awkward peak in the mid-treble that dips down to give a somewhat “low res” sound.

CONCLUSION:​

This Project Ace was a complete curveball from what I expected it to be. Not to diss them but HiBy has not had a good track record for IEMs in the past. They’ve made interesting IEMs like the HiBy Zeta and to an extent, the HiBy Yvain, but they’ve also made something as atrocious as the Crystal 6. But the Project Ace brings a near-perfect tuning to what would have been otherwise just a meme of an IEM.

Whatever F.Audio and HiBy did to this IEM, they did well. It has some of the best bass and midrange balance I’ve heard in any IEM, it’s very technically capable, especially considering the price and it offers an aesthetically unique presentation that makes it stand out from the market.

It’s not perfect, however. The treble would be a big turn-off to people who are sensitive to peaks or who want perfect timbre. The fit isn’t the most stellar and might cause discomfort for some.

But I can’t lie, this is probably HiBy’s best IEM to date. Not only in value but in sound. Imperfections aside, this is a very technical, very tactile and very rich-sounding IEM with a unique presentation to boot. Maybe F.Audio and HiBy should do more collabs next time, yeah?

Thank you for reading my full review on the HiBy x F.Audio Project Ace! If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-x-faudio-project-ace

Watch full review here: ​