HiBy R8 Review

HiBy R8

Synergy examples (non Turbo Mode)

Let’s look at some IEMs first. The FIR Audio M5 in balanced mode sounds full, exciting and musical. The M5 is a very engaging monitor and the R8 has great synergy with it. The sound stage here could be more extended but that’s more related to the M5 than to the R8. At very low volumes there is a tiny bit of noise audible when playing music, but it isn’t directly noticeable at a normal listening volume. The FIR M5 sounds powerful, with great vocals. In single ended mode you get a much lighter sounding M5 with less body from top to bottom. It’s a softer sound, sexier sound. Less engaging but more neutral, and the detail comes out better, with better extension. It’s there in balanced mode also, just not as audible because of the body and the “in your face” presentation. It’s a very different sound compared the balanced output, but I actually like both.

The Unique Melody MEST in balanced mode sounds very musical with a more neutral tuning. It’s also extends well in all directions. You get a spacious, precise and resolving sound, with excellent dynamics, superb vocals, and impressive timbre and decay. The amount of body sits just right and it’s never too much or too little. A great combo. In single ended mode you lose a bit of the excitement and musicality, as well as the body and impact. The vocals come more to the front and the sound just isn’t as spacious, dynamic and engaging. With the MEST I for sure prefer the balanced output.

HiBy R8

With the Vision Ears Elysium you in balanced mode get great dynamics, excellent timbre and sublime tonal extension. The mids are spacious, the overall sound is airy and the layering from top the bottom is excellent. Body-wise the Elysium is more neutral but you overall get great detail and precision. It’s a top level IEM with great technicalities, and you get just hat in balanced mode, with a layer of musicality on top of it. In single ended mode you lose the spacious and airiness and you get a more intimate, direct sound. The body from top to bottom is lighter, the vocals more to the front. It’s a more neutral and flat sounding Elysium, but it isn’t as technically impressive and musical as in balanced mode. Balanced is the way to go here.

Time to switch to full sized headphones with different driver technology. The Hifiman Ananda (Planar Magnetic) is the first one we check out. In balanced mode the volume has to go up compared to the IEMs, but driving it loud in normal balanced mode is no issue for the R8. In balanced mode you get a nicely spacious, and airy sound with great timbre and decay. The Ananda and R8 combo extends quite well in both directions and it’s a musical, yet technically strong sound. A really great synergy. In single ended mode you get a bigger sound with more body. You still get the great spaciousness and extension, but the technical strength – while still present – is less perceivable because of the elevated body and bass. Still a great and musical sound and one that many might prefer. If you’re into technicalities and musicality however, the balanced output is the one is for you.

HiBy R8

The full-range AMT driven HEDDphone needs quite a bit of power to shine, but the R8 has no issues driving it to deafening volumes. In balanced mode you get a nice amount of body from top to bottom, but still in a neutral kind of presentation. The extension, depth and layering here are very good. The vocals are somewhat more in the front, but it’s musical, energetic and exciting. Overall a technically and dynamically strong combo. In single ended mode you lose the spaciousness and extension, and you get a more boring flat sounding HEDDphone. I have a hard time imagining someone will prefer the single ended output for the HEDDphone. Balanced is 100% the way to go and great it is.

The Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro is easy to drive and it’s the only headphone in this section with a dynamic driver. It’s not possible to listen to the DT770 Pro in balanced mode, but the SE output sounds really good with it. You as expected get a full and musical sound, but the technicalities are also impressive. Great timbre, extension and note decay. It’s a very dynamic sounding combo, which is very energetic and engaging. Ok, I have to admit that the DT770 Pro is easy to love on all kinds of sources, but this is more than just a nice combo.

To me it seems the R8 can drive a lot of full-sized headphones, especially from the balanced output. Of course the R8 as a DAP has its limits, and you shouldn’t expect it to drive the harder to drive headphones on the market with it. If you’re in to high impedance headphones, then the R8 has something extra for you, keep reading.

On the last page you can find the parts on Turbo Mode, Digital and line outputs and the conclusion.

4.1/5 - (124 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

20 Comments

  • Reply August 18, 2020

    Tyrell Dixon

    Considering sp2000 and Sony flagships are $2,000 (aud ) more i guess it makes sense that it’s not as good.But still seems to offer good value for money and pretty much no competition when it comes to full android.

    • Reply August 18, 2020

      Lieven

      That’s the good summary

  • Reply August 18, 2020

    Arturo

    Nice review but your page is clottered of ads and banners making the reading experience less peasant.

    • Reply August 18, 2020

      Lieven

      Thanks. It’s a new media provider so we’re still fine tuning this. It does seem like the side ad for resolution 1024 and under is causing issues. Good thing is you can close the add of course. thanks for the feedback

  • Reply August 18, 2020

    Peter

    The constant page refresh (to load even more ads?) makes it very annoying to read Headphonia. This used to one of my favorite sites (:

    • Reply August 19, 2020

      Lieven

      There shouldn’t be any page refreshes. The ads might reload but you should stay in the exact same position you were reading. What device/resolution is this happening with? Thanks

  • Reply August 20, 2020

    JK

    Thanks for your review. However I expected the 4g network feature as other webzine’s review, but your review seems to have removed it from the manufacturer even higher price ($1819 -> 1899). I’m a little disappointed with Hiby.

    • Reply August 20, 2020

      Lieven

      Our worldwide version didn’t have the 4G feature, so we can’t report about it

  • Reply August 24, 2020

    DK

    Any thoughts on how the HiBy R8 stacks up against the AK SE200? Right now I’m debating between the Cayin N6ii w/ E02, AK SE200 and HiBy R8 to pair up with a Solaris SE.

    • Reply August 24, 2020

      Lieven

      The SE200 hasn’t arrived yet and it’s going to Matty in Australia. So it will be hard comparing these two. But the Cayin N6ii/E02 and the R8 are both excellent.

  • Reply September 3, 2020

    Fernando

    Without a doubt, even if it is something old, I go for the Sony, a guarantee of quality. all these chinese daps are unstable and have a lot of bugs. I don’t understand how in these reviews they never talk about those problems

  • Reply September 5, 2020

    Lieven

    Not a single bug, crash or hang up was experienced so far….

  • Reply September 11, 2020

    Jules

    Why no comparison to Sony 507?

    Banner ad placement (too many) and auto-rotation of the side banners makes reading here unbearable.

    • Reply September 12, 2020

      Lieven

      Cause there are no Sony samples available

  • Reply September 13, 2020

    HighK

    I don’t know why you hate the M15.
    I have the SE100, P2mkii and Qp2r, and the M15 is better in musicality.

    • Reply September 13, 2020

      Lieven

      I have never said I hated the M15, to me it’s just could have been better. like the R8.

  • Reply September 16, 2020

    Mark H

    Do you think the R8 would pair well with an IEM that has thick mids like the Empire Ears Phantom?

  • Reply December 21, 2020

    AL

    Would you consider this an upgrade from DX220+AMP9 ?
    currently using UM MEST / U18T.

    Awesome review by the way =)

  • Reply October 20, 2021

    Anp

    I have se180 sem1 and seems kinda lack bit of body using 64 audio nio.

    Im thinking of changing to R6 2020 or R8 since it has smoother operational OS, but kinda mixed feelings if i just buy a sem2 for my se180.
    I feel hiby r8 much more transportable kind of smaller and less weight.

    Nobody sells a case for Se180 in here, and even with case i still feel se180 is too heavy for me and withouth a case it fckin scary to bring se180 to office and other place.

    Does r8 plays good anisong, jpop, and kpop? I love bass punchier and bodler mid body.
    Which one should i get? N6ii e02 / R6 2020 / R8 / sem2?

  • Reply August 28, 2023

    YTmp3

    I’m so excited to try this! I’ve been wanting to get a good pair of headphones for a while now.

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