HiBy R8 Review

Sound – Intro

The AK chip used in the R8 is quite popular and we of course know the typical sound of the AK4497 (Shanling M6 pro, Fiio M11 Pro (EQ), SMSL M300 MKii). The OPA used by the R8 for the amplification is the OPA1612.

As it is HiBy’s first higher-end DAP we all expect a lot from it. So far HiBy has always delivered great value for money, so we also want this from the R8.

Looking solely at the hardware inside the R8, there is nothing we can complain about for the price it is selling for. But of course there’s something more important than the hardware, and that is how it sounds.

Let’s get started.

Sound General

The tests for this chapter were done with a whole series of IEMs and headphones and in pure DAP mode, not looking at the other usage functions (see later).

The HiBy R8’s tuning is more to the warmer side of neutral but it can’t be called a warm sounding DAP. Don’t mistake the relaxed and effortlessness presentation with warmth, because that simply isn’t correct.

Balanced

From top to bottom the HiBy R8 has a good amount of body and fullness, but it’s never too much. It sits just right and it hits my personal sweet spot. The R8 is always perfectly in control, especially in the bass region and the overall prat, and speed are very good.

The R8 also has a lovely timbre and this comes out especially nice in the mid section. The level of separation, spaciousness and airiness –  just like the fullness – is just right and it makes it a very natural, pleasant and engaging sound. Even though the R8 sounds relaxed, it has a good amount of energy and clarity. The interaction between these is impressive.

Sound stage wise the R8 doesn’t disappoint either and it extends well in both width and depth. The depth and layering are good, but if you look at the SP2000 in example, you know it can be even better. The best parts for me are the bass (control) and the mids (gorgeous timbre and spaciousness). The treble section is nice too, but it sometimes misses a bit of energy on the very top end.

Looking at clarity and cleanness, the R8 also performs well, but compared to the Astell&Kern series, these are not as pronounced. It’s more on par with what we see from Sony and Lotoo. So that certainly isn’t bad at all.

The background is fairly black and in general the R8 is noiseless. With extremely sensitive monitors you can hear some noise at very low volumes, but at normal listening volumes, I never noticed it. On the very first day I listened to the R8, I heard some RF interference when streaming from Tidal but I have not managed to reproduce it ever since.

Sound Classics

Bass has a good kick and punch and the R8 is always perfectly in control. The result is a powerful, tight and fast bass. It’s never too much in regards to body, and it’s never to little either. The bass detail is quite good but the sub rumble and layering could be further improved compared to the best DAPs on the market. Anyway, bass body is just right, it never runs into the mids and isn’t overpowering.

The R8’s mids are the most impressive to me, they’re relaxed, natural and have excellent timbre, air and decay. The mids are dynamic, musical and very engaging. The vocals also stand out here. I don’t mean they are upfront, but they’re just very well placed and realistic.

The treble section is good and extends well, but at he same time I do feel it could have used a bit of extra clarity and energy, to make things even more engaging, delivering the perfect contrast to the lower region. I’m being extra tough on the treble here though, and most of you, apart from perhaps the clarity, won’t miss anything in this treble presentation.

Bass, mids, treble: the HiBy R8 does it all so effortless and it results in a technically nice, musical and natural delivery.

Single ended

In single ended mode you more or less the same characteristics but you get a lighter presentation overall, which is closer to neutral. This is still dynamic, musical and engaging, but it isn’t as lively and exciting as the balanced output. Depending on the music I’m listening to and the ear- and headphone in use I keep switching between both modes, but in all honesty it’s the balanced output which really shines imo.

Vs Competition

For this section I selected a number of DAPs from the same (price) segment, as well as the HiBy R6 Pro as this up to now was the highest level HiBy player. The comparison are mostly while using the balanced output.

Let’s start with the Astell&Kern KANN CUBE. Compared to the R8 it is lighter sounding, and it has less slam, body and bass impact. The KANN CUBE has a higher level of clarity and it sounds cleaner, faster, as well as more energetic. Some might call the KANN CUBE sharp sounding compared to the R8, and I can perfectly understand that. The KC is hyper compared the fuller, more relaxed R8. I have to say I prefer listening to the fuller, more engaging and softer R8.

Compared to the Lotoo PAW 6000, the R8 sounds more musical, and it has better extension and tonal decay. The mid timbre is also quite a lot better and the R8 is the most musical sounding of both. The PAW 6000 is a bit softer, more shy sounding, where the R8 takes the front stage with a bigger presentation. The vocals in the Lotoo are more in the back where they have better energy in the R8. The PAW 6000 is a great DAP (it won our 2019 award) but the R8 to my ears outperforms it.

The Cayin Audio N6ii has the big advantage it can change the motherboards and you can swap between different amps and DACs. One of my favorite cards is the E02, but you can find our full motherboard comparison here. The N6ii – with the E02 – sounds pretty comparable to the R8, but the latter one has a bit more note extension and depth. Both DAPs sound energetic and the Cayin is perhaps a tiny bit sharper sounding on top where the R8 is softer. The R8 and N6ii’s body, decay and spaciousness are more or less the same though the R8 has better control over the bass.

I’m still a fan of HiBy’s own R6 Pro player even though it isn’t as technically strong as the R8. It’s more intimate, less spacious, less refined. The R8’s timbre, extension, depth, precision and dynamics are all at a higher level. At the same time though you can hear these are from the same family, the R8 is simply a level up from the R6 Pro in all regards. The R6 Pro is still an excellent player with a high value, but it’s no longer the best of the HiBy family. The r8 is better, makes it sound more easy.

The big question now of course is if I feel the R8 can take on the really big guns such as the Astell&Kern SP2000, the L&P (L)P6 and the Sony WM1Z. Well in my opinion the AK’s and LP’s still are quite a bit ahead compared to the R8, especially in precision, clarity and transparency. I do feel the R8 is closer to the Sony WM1Z already but aren’t we all waiting for Sony to update that one?

The comparison to the Fiio M15 will be added later as this player is with Nano in France for the moment. From memory (but I don’t like doing that) I feel the R8 has the upper hand when it comes to sound and technicalities. It was hard for me to get motivated to listen to the M15, but I’m gladly picking up the R8 to listen to it. Unfortunately we didn’t receive the iBasso DX220 MAX for review, so we can’t compare it to that one. Take it up with iBasso if you’re not happy with that ;-).

Synergy and much more on the next page. Click here.