In this HiBy R3 II review, I’m taking the latest HiBy DAP through its paces. The R3 II features dual ES9219C high-performance DAC chips, an impressive battery life, WiFi connectivity and much more. The price is $179.

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

HiBy R3 II

In the Box

• HiBy R3 II
• Protective plastic case
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• User manual/warranty
• Screen protector (already has 2 installed)

Design

With dimensions of 86.9*60.6*14.5mm, the HiBy R3 II fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The aluminium alloy chassis with its reinforced glass front and back plates feels sturdy in the hand despite weighing only 118g.

On the left side of the device is a Micro SD card slot covered by a rubber grommet. On the right side are three aluminium playback buttons, a volume wheel that doubles as the power button and an LED indicator that glows different colours to indicate the current sampling rate (this can be disabled in the system settings).

The 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended headphone outputs are located on the bottom of the device along with the USB-C port. The front of the device is taken up by the 3.2″ 320*480 touch panel display.

Internals and Power Output

In charge of decoding are dual ES9219C high-performance DAC chips, supporting up to Native DSD256 and PCM 32bit/384kHz formats, as well as full MQA decoding.

With a 2000mAh battery, the R3 II offers an extensive 16 hours of continuous playback and charges from 0%-100% in less than 2 hours.

The R3 II is compatible with a wide range of headphones and with up to 380mW@32Ω of output power, it can drive all but the most demanding transducers.

Wireless Connectivity

The versatile Bluetooth 5.1 functionality of R3 II allows for two-directional audio transmission and reception. Additionally, this device is equipped with 2.4G WiFi, enabling OTA firmware updates and effortless music transfer through both AirPlay and DLNA compatibility.

R3 II supports high-res wireless audio codecs including UAT, LDAC, aptX (transmit only), AAC, and SBC.

OS and UI

The R3 II operates on HiBy’s proprietary HiByOS, boasting a user-friendly interface that feels responsive during operation. One noteworthy feature is its seamless integration of HiByLink, which empowers you to utilize your smartphone as a remote control for the device. The setup process for HiByLink is a breeze, and its performance is commendable.

A convenient gesture involves swiping from the top to bottom on any screen, instantly revealing a shortcut panel with quick access to volume adjustment. Additionally, it provides convenient toggles for Bluetooth, HiByLink, and WiFi. Standard playback controls are also readily accessible from this menu.

One standout capability of the R3 II is its ability to stream Tidal and Qobuz through dedicated native apps (although it’s important to note that this feature exclusively functions when connected to WiFi). This further highlights the impressive value packed into this diminutive DAP.

Navigating through the OS is straightforward, requiring no steep learning curve. However, there’s a slight drawback that occasionally causes a touch of frustration: the absence of a shortcut to return directly to the Home screen. The Shanling M0 Pro elegantly addresses this by allowing a single long press on any screen to swiftly take you back. Implementing a similar function in HiByOS would be a welcome enhancement.

The System and Music menus offer an extensive amount of options. There are too many to list them all but I will mention a few of the more necessary and interesting ones here:

• System
  • Theme colour
  • Font size
  • USB current limited
  • In-line remote
  • Status LED
  • Screen rotation
  • Firmware update
• Music
  • MSEB
  • Equalizer
  • Resume play from last
  • Gapless playback
  • Max volume
  • Fixed power-on volume
  • Crossfade
  • Gain
  • ReplayGain
  • Speed play

Sound

Before delving into this section, it’s essential to highlight the significance of the MSEB (MageSound 8-ball) and EQ features. HiBy’s MSEB offers a wide array of customization possibilities, complemented by the option to utilize custom and preset EQ settings. This grants you extensive control over tailoring the audio to match your personal preferences. It’s worth noting, however, that all of my sound evaluations were conducted with both MSEB and EQ settings disabled.

I’m getting a similar vibe to what I heard with the HiBy R2 II. That is to say, the R3 II has a slightly forward vocal presentation with smooth highs and an authoritative bass.

The bass reproduction is a standout feature, offering a powerful and textured presentation. Each bass note is rendered with depth and clarity, providing a palpable presence to the low-end frequencies.

Moving to the midrange, the HiBy R3 II offers a forward presentation with a distinct emphasis on vocals. This lends a captivating intimacy to vocal performances, allowing them to take centre stage with clarity and emotion. The midrange is both spacious and rich, providing ample room for instruments and vocals to breathe while maintaining a warm and engaging tonality.

The treble frequencies are a highlight of the R3 II’s sound signature. They exude an open, airy quality that imparts a sense of expansiveness to the overall soundstage. The level of detail in the treble is impressive, ensuring that even the most intricate nuances of the music are faithfully reproduced. While the treble maintains its precision, there’s a subtle softening that adds a touch of warmth without compromising the overall clarity.

I was impressed by the quality of the soundstage and imaging of the R3 II, particularly its channel separation and dynamic range.

Comparison with HiBy R2 II

The HiBy R2 II (review here) is half the price of the R3 II ($89) and comes with an ES9219C DAC chipset while the R3 II has dual ES9219C DACs. It has significantly less drive, with its output power of 90mW compared to 380mW on the R3 II (balanced output).

Physically, both are similar but the R2 II has a lightweight polycarbonate chassis that feels a lot less substantial than the R3 II’s aluminium alloy case. Moreover, the R2 II’s 2.45″ display is notably smaller than the 3.2″ display of its bigger sibling.

When it comes to audio, the R2 II’s bass has less authority and verve despite sharing a similar sound signature. Other areas where the R2 II falls behind the R3 II are in overall resolution and notably in its soundstage. Furthermore, the R3 II has improved channel separation and less distortion, leading to better audio quality.

Verdict

In summary, the HiBy R3 II DAP presents compelling audio quality with a forward vocal presentation, robust bass, and a crisp midrange that places vocals at the forefront. The treble exhibits impressive detail while maintaining a touch of warmth, enhancing overall clarity. This device not only delivers exceptional audio quality but also offers excellent value for its performance.

What sets the HiBy R3 II apart is not only its audio prowess but also its excellent build quality. Its compact design belies the powerful sound it produces. The incorporation of MSEB and EQ features further expands its customizability. For audiophiles seeking a versatile and compact digital audio player, the HiBy R3 II is a standout choice and is easily worthy of the PAR recommended award.

Specifications

Dimensions: 86.9×60.6×14.5mm

DAC / Audio SoC: Dual ES9219C

Battery capacity: 2000mAh/3.8V

Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.1

Micro SD: Supports up to 2TB

USB ports: 10Gbps Supports USB2.0 and USB3.1, bandwidth up to 10Gbps

Hi-res Bluetooth codecs: UAT, LDAC, aptX (transmit only), AAC, SBC

Analogue audio ports: 3.5mm PO, 4.4mm BAL, 3.5mm LO

Audio formats: DSD256 & PCM384kHz/32bit / MQA16x