HiBy WH2 Review

Sound (Crossover Frequency: 18500 Hz)

I am starting with this configuration because according to my ears, this setting provides the most balanced sound signature. Also, this setting offers the best technical performance out of the three settings that I tried the WH2 with. The WH2 sounds fairly balanced and spacious. It has a warm timbre. The resolution is very good for a TWS and it’s fun and exciting to listen to. The sub-bass extension is quite good and it has a round, semi-elevated bass response. The quantity is good, it can get abundant when the track calls for it. The control is good, there is no bass bleed and the sense of rhythm is strong. PRaT is very good, transients are fast and the earphone handles congestion with ease.

The midrange is warm and smooth. Vocals are distinct and articulate. Plenty of air here as well. The note-weight is good, instruments do not sound thin at all. The upper midrange has good energy and clarity. Instruments like flutes and saxes sound breathy. Cymbals and hi-hats are easy to track on stage despite having good control. The WH2 is quite transparent and it is nice to see a TWS with solid technical performance in the market. The treble extension is good and the harmonics are well-presented. They are very controlled as well, never harsh or sibilant. The WH2 has a medium-sized stage and the instrument separation is great. Overall, WH2 offers an impressive set of skills for the price. 

Sound (Crossover Frequency: 10000 Hz)

Setting the crossover frequency to 10000-hertz results in a warmer presentation all around. The upper midrange takes a step back as well as the treble extension. The sub-bass and bass notes are more forward compared to the 18500 setting. While it offers a fatigue-free session for treble-sensitive users, the detail-retrieval and other technical aspects of the IEM take a hit. The presentation does not feel as spacious as before. The stage feels more compressed as well. If you want additional bass but don’t want to sacrifice the performance of the mid and high ranges, you can try setting the crossover to 14500-hertz instead. This will result in a small quantity increase in the low end while preserving the good technical performance of the WH2. 

Sound (Crossover Frequency: 5000 Hz)

After hearing what 18500 and 14500 sounds like, my ears refused to listen to this IEM in this setting. The stage almost feels claustrophobic, the resolution takes a major hit and the clarity is nowhere near its true potential. The midrange loses its articulate presentation and upper mids are practically not present on the stage. The treble response is majorly trimmed down, even rolled off at this point. The low-end advantage you gain with this setting is quite small compared to what you lose so I don’t really recommend this setting unless you specifically enjoy rolled-off upper midrange and treble response.

Comparisons

vs. JAYS t-Seven ($149 USD)
Compared to the WH2, t-Seven‘s tonality is brighter and its note-weight is thinner. The WH2 feels more energetic and vivid. The low-end of the t-Seven feels weak in comparison and it doesn’t have the texture and impact of the WH2’s. The WH2’s upper midrange has more energy and presence on the stage, while the t-Seven lacks a certain bite. With the t-Sevens, there is a larger distance between you and the stage. The imaging of both of the IEMs is similar but the WH2’s presentation feels more spacious.

vs. HiBy WH3 ($159 USD)
Compared to the WH2, WH3’s bass feels loose and its midbass feels excessive. The WH2’s resolution is much better and it is technically superior compared to the WH3. WH3’s treble feels rolled-off and it is not nearly as transparent as the WH2. Note that both of the crossovers of the devices are fixed to 18500 during this comparison. Tonality-wise, WH3 has a bolder and warmer tone. This comparison shows us that the HiBy has completely leveled up their TWS game with the WH2.

vs. Tronsmart Apollo Bold ($99 USD)
The Apollo Bold is a widely popular TWS earphone. It has a warm and dark presentation with a lot of bass emphasis. The bass quantity is certainly intense and it has a classic V-shape curve. Compared to the WH2, the Apollo sounds veiled and congested. The WH2’s spacious presentation feels breathy and relaxed compared to the Apollo. The WH2 is technically superior in every aspect apart from bass quantity. The soundstage of the Apollo feels spatially diffused compared to the WH2.

Last Words

The HiBy WH2 is one of the first LDAC equipped TWS earphones with excellent sound quality and it looks to be a guaranteed hit if HiBy manages to smoothen out the software glitches the pre-production unit is showing now. The design and aesthetics of both the case and the earphones are excellent. The battery life is satisfactory, even with the LDAC codec. The earphones are very light and comfortable due to their compact shell.

Having the option of changing the sound signature whenever you want feels really good. I wish I could meddle with the crossovers of my wired IEMs as well. Apart from that, the WH2’s sound quality is impressive and it will be an ironclad competitor in this price bracket. Make sure to follow their Kickstarter page when it is online, you may be able to snatch the dual-BA version with a nice pre-order discount!

Page 1: HiBy, WH2, Packaging & Accessories, Design, Stability

Page 2: App Features, Controls, Battery Life, Call Quality, Latency, UAT, Amplitude