In this article, I review the HiBy R6 III 2025 digital audio player (DAP). The R6 III features quad CS43198 DAC chips and switchable class A / AB amplification. It’s priced at 439 USD.

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 R6 III 2025

Features

The R6 III 2025 largely sticks to the established design of the older model, with the primary differences lying in aesthetics and the updated DAC chipset. Replacing the previous Dual ESS 9038Q2M with quad CS43198 DAC chips, making it more efficient and increasing its technical capabilities.

The R6 III 2025 can switch between Class A and Class AB audio modes. Class A offers the best audio quality with improved dynamics via 2 OPA1652 op-amps and 4 ELNA audiophile-grade capacitors. Class AB, on the other hand, offers performance that’s almost on par but it’s more power efficient.

Powering the device is a Snapdragon 665, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. Although the Snapdragon 665 isn’t cutting edge, it’s more than capable enough for an audio player and is the same SOC found in the flagship HiBY R8 II. The onboard micro-SD card slot supports cards up to 2TB.

The 405mW output via its balanced connection delivers ample power for most headphones, while the 125mW single-ended output remains respectable for more efficient IEMs. Furthermore, the exceptionally low THD figures in both Class-A (0.0006%) and Class-AB (0.0007%) modes point towards a clean and accurate sound. The high SNR of 126dB from the balanced output also indicates a very quiet noise floor, promising a black background.

Design

In terms of physical design, the R6 III 2025 doesn’t deviate much from the standard DAP experience. It feels like a chunky smartphone in the hand and it’s got some serious heft, weighing in at 250g.

One distinctive feature of the DAP is its glass rear panel with a faceted 3D pattern. On the front panel is a 5-inch 720p display. Despite its modest resolution, the display looks crisp and colourful. It’s not the brightest display I’ve seen, but it’s still easily visible outdoors on a sunny day.

At the top sits the volume knob, featuring a nice textured knurling. This is one of the better volume wheels I’ve encountered on a DAP, offering a touch more resistance – particularly noticeable when using the included case. I appreciate this added resistance as it encourages a more deliberate adjustment, which is certainly welcome when the device is tucked away in a pocket.

The right side of the R6 III 2025 houses the playback controls, which provide a nice amount of resistance and a satisfying tactile click when pressed. This positive feedback gives confidence during operation and, importantly, meant I never experienced any accidental presses while the DAP was in my pocket – a welcome touch. On the left side is the single micro-SD card slot that supports cards up to 2TB.

Down at the bottom, you’ll find the array of input/output options. There are both 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm line outs (LO) for connecting to external amplifiers. Centrally located is the USB-C port, which handles charging and data transfer. Finally, you also get both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs (PO).

Battery Life

Sporting a 4500 mAh battery, the R6 III 2025 can supply up to 13 hours of continuous playback in single-ended (3.5mm) or 11 hours balanced (4.4mm) in Class-AB mode. Even in the high-power Class-A mode, you’re still looking at a respectable 11 hours (SE) and 9 hours (balanced) of continuous playback.

Wireless Performance

Wi-Fi Wonders

For those of us juggling multiple devices and always on the go, the R6 III 2025’s Wi-Fi capabilities are a welcome addition. It ticks the boxes with dual-band 2.4/5GHz support, ensuring compatibility across the board. What’s particularly handy is the inclusion of features we’ve seen on previous models, such as AirPlay and DLNA for seamless streaming within your local network.

HiBy also throws in their own flavour with HiByLink for remote control via their app. It lets you control the player directly from your phone using the HiBy Music App.

Bluetooth Performance: A Familiar Tune

When it comes to Bluetooth, you’re well covered with the standard SBC, the higher-quality aptX-HD, and Sony’s impressive LDAC. I noticed some latency and sync issues when streaming from my phone using LDAC, so I wouldn’t recommend that for gaming or video. However, for standard audio playback, the experience was excellent.

Android 12 User Interface

The OS at the heart of the R6 III is Open Android 12. While it’s not exactly next-gen, it’s perfectly suitable for a device designed for music playback in 2025. Using the R6 III, the experience feels fluid and responsive and there were no issues with anything I downloaded from the Google app store.

This DAP runs on a specially crafted Android OS, developed by HiBy themselves, specifically optimised for pristine, bit-perfect sound. Their Direct Transport Audio Architecture is the key, allowing it to bypass the usual audio pathway restrictions within Android. This means that any app you choose to run can take full advantage of the onboard DACs.

HiBy Music App

The HiBy Music app is a mature and thoroughly capable music player. Beyond its straightforward navigation and comprehensive set of standard features, it particularly appeals to audiophiles with its strong focus on high-fidelity audio. It provides users with significant control over their music through its integrated EQs and the distinctive MSEB tuning system.

Furthermore, its robust support for external USB DACs and the convenience of its HiByLink functionality which allows control of Hiby players via a smartphone. As a bonus feature, the HiBy Music app handily includes the option to import music wirelessly over Wi-Fi, offering a convenient way to transfer tunes to your device.

MSEB & PEQ

Within the HiBy Music app, you get access to MSEB and a parametric EQ. MageSound 8-ball (MSEB) is a sound tuning system found in most HiBy devices, that goes beyond a traditional equaliser. Instead of adjusting specific frequency bands, MSEB allows for the manipulation of various sonic parameters. These include controls for things like bass extension, note thickness, impulse response and air etc. This enables you to fine-tune the audio output to your personal preferences in a more intuitive way than with a standard EQ.

There’s also a standard EQ and a separate parametric equaliser catering to both those who prefer quick adjustments and those who demand granular control. Combined with MSEB, these let you shape the sound in almost any way you could wish or even imagine.

Sound

The HiBy R6 III (2025 edition) carries the hallmark sound of the Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips that many of us are already familiar with, delivering a precise and balanced performance. As expected, the low-end is punchy and extended, but remains controlled, never overwhelming the rest of the frequency range. The bass is full but tight, offering good depth without becoming bloated or intrusive.

In the midrange, the R6 III presents a neutral tonality with natural note weight and body. Vocals and instruments feel well-defined and free of any artificial colouration, providing a realistic and immersive sound. The treble is also well-extended but slightly softened (typical of CS DAC chips), giving it a smooth character while maintaining impressive detail retrieval and airiness. It’s not sharp or harsh, so long listening sessions are easy on the ears, but you still get plenty of high-frequency information.

While the soundstage doesn’t quite reach the expansive heights of flagship DAPs, it’s still remarkably spacious for its class. The imaging and layering are particularly impressive, offering a precise placement of instruments and vocals within the stereo field, ensuring each element has its own clearly defined space. This sense of separation is further enhanced by a wonderfully black background, which contributes to a cleaner and more organised overall sonic presentation.

What sets the R6 III apart is its flexibility. The inclusion of HiBy’s MSEB DSP allows you to tailor the sound exactly to your preferences with minimal effort. Whether you want more warmth, added bass impact, or sharper treble, the MSEB gives you all the tools to sculpt the sound to your liking. Additionally, there’s both a standard EQ and a parametric EQ, so you have full control over how the R6 III sounds. Essentially, this DAP can be customised to sound however you want it to, making it incredibly versatile.

Select Pairings

Spirit Torino IEM Twin Pulse Beryllium: The R6 III 2025 brings out the best in this dual-dynamic driver IEM. The sound is spacious with an expansive, airy soundstage. Timbre is accurate and uncoloured yet still rich and emotive. The clarity and detail are outstanding. I’m almost struggling to type this because I keep closing my eyes and drifting away with the music.

FiiO FH19: Warm and musical presentation. Outstanding instrument separation and coherency across the spectrum. Bass notes are full-bodied and punchy but balanced with the mids and treble. Very spacious sound with outstanding imaging and a 3D holographic soundstage. Sounds effortless yet highly resolving.

Sennheiser HD650: To be honest, using the stock cable with the single-ended 3.5mm PO, the R6 III 2025 is struggling to push the HD650. However, using the 4.4mm balanced output on high-gain, things get much better and there’s a bit of headroom to spare. The bass is tight but satisfying and the mids are tasty. I was quite surprised by the detail retrieval with this pairing which seemed better than I’m used to with these headphones.

Comparison

iBasso DX180 (529 USD)

Externally, both DAPs are quite similar in size and build quality, each featuring three playback control buttons and a volume wheel. However, I find the DX180’s volume knob and buttons lack sufficient resistance, making them prone to accidental presses or adjustments. For this reason, I prefer the R6 III 2025, for use on the go or when it’s in my pocket, whereas the DX180 is slightly easier to use on the desktop or when stationary. One advantage of the DX180, though, is its removable back cover, allowing for easy battery replacement if needed.

DX180 runs on Android 13 and has a quad CS43131 DAC array, while the R6 III 2025 runs Android 12 with quad CS43198 DACs.

The DX180 features a brighter, higher-resolution display (1080p vs 760p), though this difference is only noticeable when comparing the devices side by side. Still, it’s worth mentioning. Both units have similar battery life. The DX180 also offers more output power (690mW vs 405mW), making it better suited for driving more demanding headphones.

As for the audio quality, there’s not much difference between the two – after all, they both use quad Cirrus Logic DAC chips. The HiBy’s CS43198 is technically superior but the amplification circuit and other hardware components also need to be considered.

To my ears, the DX180 sounds more spacious, with an expanded soundstage. This gives it a slight edge in imaging and layering. It’s a little more refined with crisper transients and added stage depth. Having said that, the HiBy can be tuned to sound almost indistinguishable from the iBasso with some minor tweaks in MSEB.

Verdict

The HiBy R6 III 2025 builds on the strengths of the original R6 III and comes with a new quad DAC chip array that delivers even better audio quality. Despite its lower price, the R6 III 2025 feels and sounds like a higher-priced model. While the display resolution might leave a little to be desired, the slick and responsive Android interface, coupled with its outstanding sound quality – makes the HiBy R6 III 2025 an undeniably excellent DAP and a worthy recipient of the PAR Recommended Award.