Today, I’m reviewing the HiBy Yacht 10 IEMs. The Yacht 10 features a 10mm magnesium-aluminium diaphragm dynamic driver and cyberpunk styling. It’s priced at 129 USD.
HiBy is known primarily for its DAPs (Digital Audio Players) but is consistently growing its arsenal of earphones and accessories.
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 Yacht 10
Table of Contents
Specifications
Drivers in Each Side: 10mm high-performance low-distortion dynamic
Impedance: 24Ω
Frequency: Response: 20-40,000Hz
Sensitivity: 95dB at 1kHz
Design
The HiBy Yacht 10 is the first model from HiBy’s new “voyage & discovery” concept range. It’s constructed from lightweight T6063 aluminium alloy that combines corrosion resistance and toughness.
Yacht 10’s shells have a mech or cyberpunk aesthetic with a smooth matte silver finish. The orange faceplates have sleek, angular, and futuristic elements that contrast nicely with the silver body. There’s a vertical slit on the faceplates that acts as a vent to simultaneously feed air to the dynamic driver and relieve ear pressure.
The included 0.78mm 2-pin Litz Type 4 braided cable is constructed from single-crystal copper wires. It features gunmetal grey aluminium components, with the exception of the chin slider and locking sleeve on the 4-pin modular termination. The Yacht 10 package includes both 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs. Overall, it’s a high-quality cable that perfectly complements the IEMs’ price point.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the HiBy R3 II, FiiO KA17 and iFi ZEN DAC V3. The Yacht 10 IEMs are easy to drive and work well with most sources.
The HiBy Yacht 10 has a warm, smooth, and natural sound signature with a focus on musicality. Its slightly enhanced mid- and upper-bass adds body and richness, creating a full yet balanced presentation. The midrange is lush and inviting, with warm, laidback vocals that feel intimate and effortless to listen to. The softened treble ensures a non-fatiguing experience, while well-timed decay and preserved lower harmonics enhance the natural flow of music. Overall, the Yacht 10 delivers a rich, cohesive sound that’s easy to listen to.
Bass
The HiBy Yacht 10 delivers a mildly elevated mid- and sub-bass, imparting warmth and richness to the midrange. The bass adds fullness and body without disrupting the overall balance and remaining reasonably close to neutral in quantity.
Its clean attacks and good definition ensure clarity while providing enough impact and warmth to enhance depth. Sub-bass notes are deep and powerful while the mid-bass hits with impact and ample slam.
Midrange
The HiBy Yacht 10’s midrange leans slightly warm, adding a gentle richness without feeling thick or overly warm. It strikes a balance between natural warmth and clarity, steering clear of a dry or analytical tone. The bass lends a bit of extra body, giving the notes some weight while keeping the overall presentation light and airy.
Vocals are clear and well-sized, with a pleasant warmth that adds depth without making them feel dense. They’re relaxed in the mix but maintain good articulation, especially in female vocals, which sound sweet and emotive, while male vocals retain enough warmth to sound natural.
Treble
The HiBy Yacht 10’s treble takes a smooth, refined approach, contributing to its overall warmth. Instead of an aggressive or overly bright presence, the treble works seamlessly with the midrange, offering clarity without dominating the sound. It’s well-integrated, helping create a cohesive and balanced presentation that doesn’t call too much attention to itself.
The upper treble maintains a soft touch, delivering detail in a more laidback manner. It’s not overly sparkly or sharp but maintains a natural flow with decent articulation. While not the most precise, the treble has a nice rhythm and extends well enough, providing a sense of air without overreaching or sounding forced.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The HiBy Yacht 10 offers a well-balanced soundstage, with average width and well-proportioned height and depth. It positions sounds neutrally, without pushing them too far forward or back, maintaining a comfortable, natural space. While the soundstage isn’t expansive, its separation and layering are impressive, allowing instruments to occupy distinct positions, especially with vocals centered. Imaging is precise, giving the sound a solid and grounded feel, contributing to a cohesive and clear presentation.
Comparisons
ArpegEar HANE (129 USD)
The ArpegEar Hane (in default tuning) has a similar frequency response as the Yacht 10 but this can change with different switch settings. To keep my sanity, I’m only comparing to the Hane with all switches down (0000).
Hane has a tighter, crisper bass albeit with less impact and body. This also results in a slightly drier midrange with less warmth than the Yacht 10. Hane’s upper midrange is more pronounced, giving vocals a lift whereas the Yacht 10 is more laid-back. Both IEMs have a smooth yet detailed treble. The ArpegEar has a wider soundstage due to its thinner note size.
AFUL Explorer (119 USD)
The AFUL Explorer has a warmer tonality courtesy of its elevated sub-bass and smooth treble. That extra sub-bass extension gives it a deeper rumble while the more subdued upper mids and lower treble facilitate a darker tone. The Explorer has less detail retrieval and a more intimate soundstage but its resolution is every bit as good as the HiBy.
Verdict
I absolutely love the mecha-inspired design and build quality of the HiBy Yacht 10, which feels both premium and durable. The modular cable adds extra value and flexibility. In terms of sound, it’s excellent—musical and engaging, with impressive clarity and instrument separation. A fairly large soundstage adds a sense of space, making it a well-rounded and satisfying listen. This one is definitely worth checking out if you’re planning to buy something in the entry-level price bracket.