HIBY R4 Review

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Sound

The new R4 has a capable sound performance for the price, especially in neutral sound reproduction, speed and clarity. It has a neutral but clear character. It doesn’t sound very musical or full, and it is a faithful device to the recording. There are also very high technicalities for the price, a good amplifying power for most IEMs and not hard-to-drive headphones. 

The overall presentation takes away the musicality and leans on the flat and neutral side. Also, the presentation feels close and in front, providing a dynamic feel but not roomy and spacious. The layering performance isn’t great either, but that is expected from the price and the DAC chips inside. 

Tonality

This device’s sound character may seem dull to some, but it boasts excellent resolution and clarity, making it a great digital audio player under $300.

When it comes to bass, the R4 has good speed and resolution. It has quite a quick attack & decay, which makes it dynamic for faster genres. but it lacks the kick and rumble that some users may prefer. The mid-bass section is hollow and lacks fullness, while the sub-bass is timid. As a result, the sound presentation is flat and laid-back. However, the bass performance is well-controlled in Jazz and Classical music. Nevertheless, compared to higher-end DAPs, the texture and depth are not as impressive.

The mid-range of R4s is quite impressive in terms of its resolution and clarity, though it may not match the musical delivery of AKM-based players. The sound is clear and transparent, with good resolution and dynamism, and the mids are pristine with detail and space, making it an excellent option for its price. However, the mid-range can sound closer to the stage, which may not be ideal for those who prioritize positioning and depth, as high-end DAPs do. Nevertheless, considering the price point, R4 delivers a commendable performance in clarity and detail.

The R4 is a DAP that performs well in resolution and nuances in the treble range. It has good dynamics and control which makes the sound clear and crisp. However, the treble range is brighter than most other DAPs, and this brightness may be too much if paired with bright IEMs. Despite this, the R4 maintains transparency and detail in the sound. The only slight drawback is that the extension and articulation are not great, and something is missing in space and air, which may not be noticeable in popular music but can be discerned in detailed recordings. The treble is also a bit splashy and out of control at times in complex passages.

Technical

The R4 boasts a fairly good soundstage performance. Its soundstage is notably impressive for its price point. The new model offers a large enough stage for length and width, with good separation, resulting in nice imaging. However, the stage DAP isn’t particularly great, and the sound feels 2D instead of 3D, leaving something to desire in texture and layering. This hollow stage setup is particularly evident when you listen to complex recordings with multiple instruments. 

The DAP delivers a neutral and technical sound. Its technical performance overall is capable for the price. The transparency and resolution in mids are especially noteworthy, as are the micro detail performance and clarity, which are both very good and demonstrate impressive performance. The noise floor isn’t particularly great and the background isn’t black enough for a great imaging performance, but it isn’t bad either.

Balanced Output

This device can drive a wide range of in-ear monitors (IEMs) and headphones available in the market. High gain wasn’t required for any of the IEMs I tested. However, full-size headphones require a bit more power, for which you can use the high-gain mode and the BAL output.

The 4.4mm output provides a better response with more dynamism and separation to the 3.5mm output. The BAL output enhances the sound in terms of technical performance. There isn’t any noticeable difference in tonality, but the resolution, transparency, background, and layering are all significantly improved.

Page 1 – Intro, Design, Build

Page 2 – User Experience & Software

Page 4 – Comparisons & Conclusion

4/5 - (178 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

4 Comments

  • Reply May 9, 2024

    Indrajit

    How does it compare sonically with Hiby R5ii class A in balanced mode?

  • Reply June 7, 2024

    Don Vittorio Sierra

    How does the 3.5mm output jack compare sonically with a sony entry level dap like the a306 a307 a105 whicjever one you have heard.

  • Reply June 16, 2024

    Mark

    Hello
    I am wondering how it can have a two dimensional soundstage as mentioned in the Cons.
    Within the last 2 Decades every little piece of Audiogear had an even wider Soundstage than it’s predecessor. So in my logic, the generell Soundstage of Audiogear today, should be wide as the distance from here to the end of all galaxies and back, 3 times.
    So this DAP has to be exceptionally bad if it’s only doing this 2 dimensional.

    As we are in 2024, I want to state that this is my sarcastic opinion of something that I care about.

  • Reply January 4, 2025

    Claudiu

    Nu e rau. Sunet bun, dar se incalzeste foarte tare dupa numai o ora de ascultat muzica.
    Nu l-as mai cumpara

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