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Comparisons
The R3 II represents a niche market, where the price point has been flooded with USB dongle DACs. But it serves as a great transport, particularly for Chord Mojo 2 and similar DAC/Amp models. If you want to separate your music playback from your phone, the R3 II does that in a tiny footprint.
In terms of features though, there are no comparisons if you need a fully packed DAP. The new R4 is better in every way imaginable than the R3 II in user experience. In sound, these two aren’t much apart, whilst the R4 edges out in transparency and overall resolution. However, the biggest difference is the output power, whereas the R4 is much stronger. It also has better battery life.
You might wonder the difference between the R4 and the R5 II. The R5 II has an amplifier switch where you can use either mode depending on your needs. The standard mode of the R5 II provides exceptional battery life, which is much better than the R4. However, the Class A mode of the R5 II offers great sound performance. In that case, it’s difficult to go back to the standard mode after hearing it anyway.
Against the R6 III, the R4 has an identical size but its chassis feels more premium with full aluminium casing. It doesn’t have a volume wheel if that’s important for you. The R6 III has more RAM and onboard storage, but I don’t believe these would affect daily usage. One advantage of the R6 III is the Line-Out, the R4 doesn’t have that output.
The R6 III offers the option to choose between Class A & AB modes, and the AB offers more battery life as we all know. In sound quality, I think the R6 III has a more refined, textured and well-layered sound than the R4. Even though the R4 is tempting with its low price and fresh new design, the R6 III isn’t out of the conversation just because the newer R4 is released. It sounds better, especially in fullness and timbre, as well as soundstage and noise floor.
Conclusion
I should congratulate Hiby for offering a complete DAP with many features at a minuscule price. 249$ is cheaper than some USB dongles today, and at that price, you get good output power, full Android support, bit-perfect playback with streaming, the Hiby Music app, and a premium, futuristic design. You can’t ask for more than that.
The sound quality you get is also impressive, albeit with some limitations which are understandable for the cost. This is a very competitive package and I’m sure it will sell like hotcakes. It is a recommended tiny DAP for sure. To our Recommended Buy List, it goes!
Summary
Pros:
- Good packaging
- Futuristic design with an aluminium frame
- Great feature set for the price
- Neutral, flat, detailed, clear sound
- Good power
- Class A
Cons:
- Sound doesn’t have much texture and layering
- Two-dimensional soundstage
- May sound boring to some
Page 2 – User Experience & Software





Indrajit
How does it compare sonically with Hiby R5ii class A in balanced mode?
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.
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.
Claudiu
Nu e rau. Sunet bun, dar se incalzeste foarte tare dupa numai o ora de ascultat muzica.
Nu l-as mai cumpara