In this review, I’m checking out the Hiby Lasya IEMs. The Lasya features a single 10mm dynamic driver and resin shells. The price is $239.

According to Wikipedia, Lasya “is a female dance form that originated in India. In Hindu mythology, Lasya refers to the dance innovated and performed by the goddess Parvati, described to be gentle and graceful.”

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Hiby for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are based on my experience with the product.

Hiby Lasya

Specifications

Driver: 10mm carbon nanotubes diaphragm dynamic driver
Frequency response: 20Hz-40KHz
Sensitivity: 108 ± 1dB/mW
Impedance: 32 Ω ± 5%
Terminations: 3.5mm gold-plated, 4.4mm gold-plated

What’s in the Box

• Hiby Lasya IEMs
• Zipper carrying case
• 3.5mm single-ended cable
• 4.4mm balanced cable
• 9x pairs of silicone eartips
• 1 pair of memory foam eartips
• User manual

Design

Lasya is available in three colour options: blue, green, and purple. The epoxy shells showcase an exquisite design, featuring subtle celluloid faceplates and elegant gold lettering. Additionally, the transparent pseudo-custom-shaped shell bodies provide a glimpse into the internal structure and driver housing.

One notable design decision by Hiby with the Lasya is the use of Pentaconn connectors. These connectors resemble regular MMCX connectors but offer improved usability and the ability to rotate, ensuring the perfect fit. This thoughtful inclusion is highly commendable, and I hope to see more IEMs adopt this feature in the future.

The package includes two OCC copper cables. One of the cables is terminated with a single-ended 3.5mm connector, while the other features a balanced 4.4mm termination. These cables are of good quality, boasting excellent handling characteristics and minimal microphonics.

Crafted in a shape reminiscent of custom IEMs, the Lasya shells provide an extremely comfortable fit for my ears. Moreover, they offer above-average passive noise isolation, making them an excellent choice for noisy environments. They would also be good as stage monitors thanks to their comfort and noise isolation.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the Hiby R2 II, Cayin RU6 and SMSL M300 SE. Lasya is a fairly efficient IEM so it doesn’t require a powerful source so you can plug it into just about anything.

Lasya’s tuning is fairly neutral albeit with a subtle lift in the bass and upper midrange. It’s slightly on the warmer side of neutral, producing notes with plenty of body and thickness. There’s a focus on vocals, enhanced by the upper mids lift and smooth treble response.

Bass

The bass is subtly boosted above neutral, providing sufficient impact and power. Lasya, however, is not designed for bass enthusiasts seeking an overwhelming low-end. The bass notes are thick yet agile, avoiding any sluggishness. However, the bass attacks possess a softer edge, this is partly due to a slightly attenuated treble response.

The sub-bass is both fast and controlled, offering a gentle rumble that prioritizes tonal accuracy over sheer physicality. Despite its lightweight character, the bass remains full-bodied and natural, establishing a warm foundation while playing a supporting role for the mids and vocals.

Midrange

The mids are rich, with subtly thickened notes, while Lasya maintains excellent clarity and resolution. The highlight lies in the captivating vocals, brought to the forefront with vividness and without any hint of shoutiness. Both male and female voices receive ample appreciation, blending seamlessly with other instruments.

Treble

The treble is somewhat laid-back, striking a balance that prevents it from sounding too dark. It gracefully highlights bass and midrange notes without becoming excessively bright, while still providing ample details and definition. Though it may not be the most precise treble, it prioritizes tone over incisiveness. It’s a non-fatiguing yet engaging experience, ensuring a sound that is never dull.

Soundstage and Technical Performance

Lasya offers average soundstage dimensions, yet it excels in depth and boasts strong imaging. Impressive instrument separation is achieved even with its single dynamic driver. Although its dynamics are average, Lasya maintains excellent cohesiveness and a natural, organic sound.

Comparison

Moondrop KATO ($189)

The Moondrop KATO (review here) also has a 1DD configuration. I find them to be about equal in comfort to the Lasya but not quite as secure in the ears. As you can see in the above graph, these IEMs have a similar frequency response and they do share a lot in common.

The main difference is in the bass where KATO carries a bit more impact and authority. This could be a good or a bad thing depending on your personal preferences. Lasya’s bass is a tad softer and not as forward. As a result, vocals have more prominence. KATO, on the other hand, has more texture in its bass and has slightly better overall dynamics.

So which one to choose? Apart from the differences in sound, KATO has heavier metal shells and a thick cable compared to Lasya’s lightweight resin shells and thin, flexible cables. I think they’re both excellent but considering KATO is priced $50 less, the Lasya starts to look less tempting (unless you want the extra cable that comes with it).

Raptgo Hook X ($239)

The Raptgo Hook X (review here) is a hybrid dual-driver IEM with 1 planar magnetic driver and 1 piezoelectric driver. It’s obviously not an apples-to-apples comparison with the Lasya in driver configuration but since they’re exactly the same price, I thought this would be perfect for a head-to-head.

These IEMs both have very different presentations and sound signatures. The Hook X is more aggressive in the bass and treble and generally more upfront. It has considerably more bass quantity (verging on basshead levels). Not only that but Hook X has better definition and texture in its bass.

The Raptgo’s mids are more recessed but they also have better instrument separation and faster transients courtesy of the planar driver. Lasya’s midrange, on the other hand, is more velvety and puts extra emphasis on vocals. When it comes to the treble, the Hook X is brighter and as a result, it has better detail retrieval and imaging but some may find the highs too forward.

Both of these IEMs are great and the best pick for you will come down to personal preference. The Raptgo comes with a modular cable that will appeal to some while the Lasya comes with two cables in the box.

Verdict

In conclusion, the HiBy Lasya IEMs offer an excellent audio experience, with warm and rich notes, a focus on captivating vocals, and impressive instrument separation. The bass remains controlled and agile, while the treble strikes a balanced and non-fatiguing tone.

Despite its strengths, some may find Lasya’s pricing to be a little on the higher side, especially when considering the quality of its competitors in the market. While it delivers a compelling sound signature, it costs a bit more than other comparable IEMs. This is mainly because of the added cable which drives the price up. I can’t help wondering if HiBy should have opted for a single cable to keep the price more competitive. On the other hand, the extra cable might be the very reason you choose this IEM over something else.