HiBy R8 II Review

Sound General

The new R8 II is positioned similarly to its predecessor, the R8. It is intended to sound best with orchestral music, offering a good sound stage, black background, good layering and imaging performance. If I have to sum up the sound performance in general, these come to my mind immediately:

• Flat and neutral
• Not much colour
• Great imaging
• Very refined and mature-sounding

It is not a very impressive DAP right from the get-go, unlike the RS8, which strikes you with its tremendous performance immediately. However, when you listen to the R8 II more and more, you find that its neutral and truthful sound output is fantastic.

Whether you’re indulging in classical orchestral pieces or delving into the nuances of jazz improvisations, the R8 II reproduces music with great accuracy and fidelity. It offers a spacious soundstage, lifelike instrument separation, and controlled bass response, allowing you to immerse yourself in your favourite tracks.

Sound Details

The standout feature of the HiBy R8 II is undoubtedly its dark background, which sets the stage for its high-quality stereo imaging and expansive soundstage. While I previously described the R8 II as a neutral-sounding DAP, it’s important to clarify that this neutrality doesn’t equate to mediocrity in terms of overall tonality. On the contrary, the R8 II delivers a superb timbre that is both accurate and transparent, without imparting any colouration or bias to the audio reproduction.

One of the hallmarks of the R8 II’s sonic signature is its ability to faithfully reproduce music with honesty and integrity. Whether you’re listening to instrumental passages or vocal performances, the R8 II preserves the authenticity of the original recording, allowing every nuance and subtlety to shine through. This fidelity to the source material ensures a deeply engaging listening experience that is devoid of any artificial enhancements or distortions.

Furthermore, the R8 II’s neutral tonality doesn’t compromise on musicality or enjoyment. Despite its analytical approach, the R8 II still manages to evoke emotion and captivate with its engaging sound signature. From delicate acoustic melodies to thunderous basslines, the R8 II effortlessly handles a wide range of musical genres with finesse, making it a versatile companion.

The overall resolution level is quite possibly the best feature of the new R8 II, as it can compete with TOTL units in that department alone. This aspect stands out as a defining hallmark of the device, positioning it as a serious contender in the high-end DAP market.  The R8 II also stands out with its impressive PRaT performance. Overall, the sound has a good pace and the delivery is quick but decisive, with good dynamism. 

The soundstage performance is also quite strong. It’s not vast like we hear from TOTL units with higher prices, but it’s still very impressive. When you combine that quality with the fabulous background performance, you have a DAP that has great definition across the spectrum, with great detail and transparency.

Sound Classics

In terms of bass performance, the HiBy R8 II offers a moderate presentation that distinguishes itself with its precision and control. Unlike its counterpart, the RS8, the R8 II doesn’t prioritize a pronounced bass impact, opting instead for a more neutral approach that prioritizes texture, decay, and speed.

The bass produced by the R8 II is characterized by its well-defined texture and swift decay, contributing to a cohesive and articulate low-end presentation. While it may not deliver the thunderous impact that some listeners crave, the R8 II’s bass remains controlled and composed.

For enthusiasts who appreciate a balanced and nuanced bass reproduction, the R8 II shines as an exemplary choice. Its ability to render bass with precision and subtlety makes it well-suited for genres where accuracy and speed are paramount, such as jazz, classical, and acoustic music. Additionally, the R8 II’s neutral bass response ensures that it complements a wide range of headphones and earphones, allowing users to enjoy the music with clarity and finesse. 

The mid-range has great clarity, transparency, and separation. With a focus on precision and neutrality, the R8 II delivers a clean and unadulterated mid-range performance that impresses with its neutral timbre and accuracy.

Unlike the RS8, which offers a thicker and more full-bodied mid-range, the R8 II prioritizes a balanced and nuanced presentation that allows each instrument and vocal to shine with remarkable clarity and definition. The mid-range presentation strikes a delicate balance. It is accurately placed within the sonic landscape, ensuring a cohesive and immersive listening experience that remains faithful to the recording.

Overall, the HiBy R8 II’s mid-range performance presents the pinnacle of transparency and neutrality in its price range, offering great clarity and finesse. It delivers a mid-range experience that is as accurate as it is captivating.

The treble reproduction has an impressive extension, lively character, and very good transparency. With great transparency and clarity, it adds a layer of energy and airiness to the overall sound signature. The R8 II effortlessly unveils the finer details and nuances in high-frequency instruments and vocals. Whether it’s the shimmering cymbals in a jazz ensemble or the delicate harmonics of a violin solo, the R8 II delivers treble with good precision. There’s a sense of airiness and openness to the treble presentation, creating a spacious and immersive soundstage that pushes air into every passage.

Comparisons

The HiBy R8 marked the brand’s entry into the realm of flagship digital audio players, boasting a dual AK4497 DAC chip configuration. However, with the introduction of the R8 II, HiBy has raised the bar significantly in terms of performance and technical prowess.

In direct comparison, the original R8 exhibits a noticeably bass-heavy character with less control and finesse compared to its successor. While the R8 may offer a more prominent bass presence, it falls short in terms of resolution, transparency, clarity, and overall cleanness when pitted against the R8 II.

The R8 II represents a significant leap forward in terms of technical superiority across all aspects of its performance. Its precision, spaciousness, and wider soundstage contribute to a more immersive listening experience. Moreover, the R8 II surpasses its predecessor with its enhanced resolution, transparency, and background.

Against the RS8, the R8 II is more neutral and less in body. The RS8 is the warmer DAP, with a more organic delivery and musical nature. In terms of technical performance, I think the R8 II is not behind at all, but the RS8 wins in some areas like texture, layering and overall sound-stage magnitude. However, you might actually prefer the R8 II depending on your set of IEMs/headphones, because it goes well with most gear, whilst the RS8 is bassy and doesn’t go that well with warm-sounding equipment. So overall the R8 II is remarkably close to the TOTL RS8, just slightly behind. 

Versus the A&K SP3000, the R8 II is less engaging and less dynamic. A&K flagships are always good when it comes to dynamism, so considering the price difference and usual A&K sound, this isn’t big news. The sound stage of the R8 II isn’t as expansive either, but as I mentioned above, its sole resolution and transparency are not behind at all. So with this price tag, HiBy deserves some praise for making a very competitive DAP indeed. 

Page 1: Intro, Features

Page 2: Packaging, Design, Layout, Price, User Experience

Page 4: Synergy, Conclusion