Some time ago I’ve reviewed newest DAP from HiBy — R5. It was right after the release of this great piece of technology. Main features that have made this DAP already quite popular on the market are the modern hardware that runs Android OS, high output power and driving ability along with detailed and balanced sound of the chosen audio processing base. Full review can be found here.

Since the time of my review, I’ve been using this DAP for several weeks as the main audio source, no matter the final equipment — IEMs, full size headphones or home system. Positive experience in overall if to conclude this period of intensive use. One of the updates that arrived over OTA has significantly increased touch screen sensitivity, making its fluent operation even more responsive.

Following different threads and news about this DAP, I’ve finally found an article that compares HiBy R5 to its recent rivals. Want to share some details from this article to keep those available to wider audience and myself.

The article covers the comparison between HiBy R5 | FiiO M11 | iBasso DX150 | Shanling M6 | Sony ZX300A.

All are very capable DAPs with lots of attention from audio fans, good feedback and competitive features. Thus, this article gets even more interesting to understand the differences in the potential of those models and how R5 does in such a strong competition.

Just to remind about the audio HW part of HiBy R5:

• 2 x CS43198-CNZ DAC chips
• 4 x Panasonic 470μF electrolytic capacitors
• 11 x Panasonic low ESR tantalum POSCAP capacitors
• LPF: 2 x OPA1612
• Amplifier chips: 2 x AD8397ARDZ
• Dual independent crystal oscillators: 45.1584MHz + 49.152MHz, low jitter

Comparison table:

No comments here, figures are clear. R5 is a great competitior to any of mentioned models. The rest is up to anyone who is willing to make any decision based on those numbers.

Original article can be found in this post: LINK 

For the last few years I’ve been observing how Hidizs has developed from a small domestic single-product company to the international and respected portable HiFi gear brand. My experience covers each single piece of their audio technology: AP100, AP200, AP60, AP60Pro, AP80 DAPs, all IEMs, cable DAC converters, stand alone DAC, etc. Can’t state that all of those had flawless performance but none has fallen short of expectations in terms of audio quality. Still love my old AP100 and still use AP80 as the most convenient one. Furthermore, Hidizs was the first to utilize HiBy OS with its excellent HiBy link option which has become a golden standard for various current DAPs from other brands.

Today I woud like to review their latest incarnation of very popular AP80 DAP — AP80Pro. There were couple of revisions of AP80 in the past, mostly dedicated to physical user experience, but AP80Pro is a huge leap of completely different nature — Pro version brings balanced circuit with the additional 2.5mm audio output and more power to drive higher loads…

Hidizs AP80Pro technical data:

• CPU: Ingenic X1000
• DAC: Dual ES9218P
• Decoding: DSD64/128/256, PCM 384kHz/32Bit
• Output: Single-ended 3.5mm / Balanced 2.5mm
  • Single-ended Output: 70mW + 70mW @ 32Ω
    • Frequency Response: 20-90kHz
    • Total Harmonic Distortion+Noise: 0.0015% (1kHz)
    • Dynamic Range: 115dB
    • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 119dB
    • Channel Separation: 70dB (1kHz, A-weight, Rated Output)
  • Balanced Headphone Output: 190mW + 190mW @ 32Ω
    • Frequency Response: 20-90kHz
    • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0015% (1kHz)
    • Dynamic Range: 116dB
    • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 120dB
    • Channel Separation: 98dB (1kHz, A-weight, Rated Output)
• Recommended Headphone Impedance Range 8-200Ω (Recommended value)
• FM: 4705
• Pedometer Sensor: KX126
• FPGA DSD: HBC3000
• Operating System: HiBy OS 3.0
• Bluetooth: Bidirectional Bluetooth 4.2, support aptX, LDAC, UAT
• USB Port: Type-C, supports bidirectional USB DAC
• Remote Operation: HiBy Link
• Display: Samsung 2.45″ (480×360) IPS HD Touchscreen
• Housing: Aluminium alloy CNC
• Body Colors: black, gray, blue, red
• Rear Cover Material: stereoscopic glass
• Volume Knob: Japanese ALPS
• Buttons 3 physical: play/pause, previous track, next track
• Maximum Storage Expansion: 512GB with MicroSD
• Battery: 800mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery
• Work time: PO interface: 8-11 hours runtime, LO interface: 6-8 hours runtime (depends on actual usage)
• Deep standby: 50 days (depends on actual usage)
• Charging Time: ~ 1 hour (5V, 2A)
• Runtime: About 8-10 hours or above
• Net Weight: 68g

Going through new specs it is clear that the main change between AP80 and its successor is in the balanced output section. What pleases me the most is that rated power with the new output has grown up to 190mW per channel. It is enough to drive high impedance / low sensitivity head gear which was my only concern about the initial release of AP80 in comparison to more powerful DAPs.

It also happens so that I currently have both versions of this player and would be able to compare their musical and functional performance with similar IEMs.

Packaging and design:

No much changes here. Very similar cute matt black box with silver logo and specification imprints. Some minor changes to the previous version in size (it got a bit smaller) and shape but the insides are similarly well protected and neatly packed.

First goes soft podium that holds AP80Pro, the rest of accessories in their boxes rest underneath. Here you would find:

• AP80Pro DAP with front and back screen guards preapplied
• Silicon case
• USB type-C -> USB A cable
• USB type-C -> microUSB cable
• 2 additional front and back screen guarding film
• couple of leaflets
• short user manual

Silicon case quality became better this time. All button openings and edges are cut more precisely and look more neat. Hoped that screen guards would also become more precise, but unfortunately not. It still physically exceeds the screen, making film guard easy to get peeled off accidentally.

More significant changes found in AP80Pro housing compared to its predecessor: design got more complicated and definitely consumes more CNC machine time. Side edges became curved, new shape around volume knob makes it easier for access.

Physical size gained couple of millimeters in one dimension, making new DAP version little bit wider. This change is caused by the new design of the side edges.  Thickness and weight has not changed.

Screen size and performance didn’t change at all. It is the same 2.45″ IPS  touchscreen with more than enough resolution and sensitivity for this type of a product.

The only difference that I’ve spotted is that the new screen has slightly warmer initial calibration compared to AP80. It behaves perfectly, has wide viewing angles and enough brightness to interact with it outside.

The only new element which is 2.5mm balanced output is located at the bottom edge, left to USB type-C port. The location of other elements has not changed.

Performance and UI:

AP80Pro is based on HiBy OS 3.0 and Ingenic X1000 CPU. This combination stays unchanged since the initial release of AP80 DAP and still demonstrates smooth behavior of the user interface. First scan is very fast even with 128GB cards full of different format tracks, all operations are quite snappy.

Seen couple of interface freezes when scrolling through large list of songs but 99% of other interactions are naturally responsive. Haven’t spotted any FW glitches with the latest 1.1 OS version, neither found any severe bugs or translation errors among function list. If you are using any smarpthones based on iOS or Android — you’d feel like being home. Each feature or program is represented by a separate icon.

All general device and audio settings are gathered in Settings Menu, whereas all deep and more precise audio preferences like EQ and filters are located only in HiBy Music application. By the way, HiBy Music looks very similar to its versions for other platforms. No surprises here.  It also features such function as HiBy Link that allows you to control this DAP from a smartphone.

Menu structure:

• Main screen apps:
  • Player
  • FM
  • Step counter
  • Bluetooth
  • System settings
  • About
• System settings:
  • Language
  • Database update (Auto|Manual)
  • Brightness (1-100% slider)
  • Backlight time (stay on or 10 — 120 sec)
  • Color theme (ON|OFF, pattern selection, slider selection)
  • Font size (small|middle|big)
  • USB mode (Storage, Audio, Dock)
  • Time settings (date, format, time)
  • Idle timer (OFF, 1-10min)
  • Sleep timer (OFF, 5-120min)
  • Battery percentage display (ON|OFF)
  • Standby (ON|OFF)
  • InLine remote (ON|OFF)
  • Recording steps (ON|OFF)
  • Lock volume knob (ON|OFF)
  • Screensaver (OFF|Album cover|Dynamic cover)
  • Restore defaults
  • FW update
• Bluetooth
  • ON|OFF
  • Device Name
  • HiBy Link (ON|OFF)
    • High Quality (SBC, aptX, UAT 600k, 900k, 1,2M, Prefer LDAC, LDAC standard, LDAC quality priority)
  • Bluetooth volume adjust
  • Search devices
  • Paired devices
  • Available devices
• HibyMusic settings:
  • Update database
  • MSEB
  • EQ
  • Play settings:
    • Play mode (through list, loop single, shuffle, loop list)
    • DSD output mode (PCM, DoP, Native)
    • DSD gain compensation (0-6)
    • Resume play (none, track, position)
    • Gapless play (ON|OFF)
    • Soundfield (ON|OFF, -1 — 3)
    • Max volume
    • Power On volume (Memory, 0-100)
    • Crossfade (ON|OFF)
    • Gain (LOW|HIGH)
    • ReplayGain (none, by track, by album)
    • Balance
    • Antialiasing filter (LPFR, LPSR, MPFR, MPSR, AFR, ASR, CMPFR, BW)
    • Play through folders (ON|OFF)
    • Play through albums (ON|OFF)
• Drop down PLAY NOW menu:
  • List now playing
  • Add to playlist
  • EQ
  • View album
  • Properties
  • Delete
• PLAY NOW screen options:
  • PLAY|PAUSE
  • Seek slider
  • NEXT|PREVIOUS TRACK
  • PLAY MODE (shuffle, loop, etc)
  • Menu
  • Add to favorite

One additional and handy feature — you can drag down quick settings panel from the top of the screen to change gain, USB mode, toggle Bluetooth and toggle line out.

Should say that the pedometer function was not reliable in AP80, don’t see much changes with the AP80Pro. My Amazfit Bip watches show more steps for the similar period. Therefore, I wouldn’t use this function in AP80Pro much. The rest are working as it should. First I’ve tried to update FW from 1.0 to 1.1 -> success. For that we have to download FW from Hidizs website, unpack it and place update.upt file to the root of SD card. Than run FW update from System menu. It would take about a minute to get it done.

FM radio would only work when headphones are connected cause they serve the role of antenna. Autoscan and fine tuning functions are available. Scan range is between 76.00MHz to 108.00MHz.

One of the most convenient function of HiBy OS — HiBy Link — that allows  full remote control over HiBy Music player from a smartphone works great. Album covers, song list, play mode, volume — all major functions can be controlled from a smartphone. Love this function that makes AP80 home audio integration and remote control in such user case very convenient.

USB DAC:

I always check this function and spending some time watching live or recorded concerts on Youtube or other platforms. Short audio lag and good driver is what I would chase in this test.

USB DAC mode works perfectly either with the dedicated TUSB (ASIO) driver available at Hidizs website or with the native Windows 10 driver (USB DAC). But note that ASIO version might produce more audio lag which would not be very comfortable for watching videos. USB native DAC driver is completely free of this lag. There is no problems in video to audio stream synchronization while watching videos and sending sound through AP80Pro to phones. Neither there are any problems of using it with Foobar2000 player over Wasapi (event or push).

Using AP80Pro as external DAC for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8Pro smartphone with the provided microUSB type-C -> microUSB cable works fine. HiBy Music app recognized this device and allowed us to send bit-by-bit perfect stream.

I have also checked such rarely used function as «transport»: sending digital audio stream though DAP USB to another DAC USB that drives home audio system. Even this scenario worked as expected.

Same scenarios of sending / receiving stream may also be used over bluetooth. So called bidirectional bluetooth DAC. Bluetooth supports aptX, LDAC and UAT codecs (along with lower audio quality standard codecs). I’ve been able to check aptX IEMs and UAT 1.2M device (HiBy W5 bluetooth receiver) — both worked fine while sending data from AP80Pro. The distance was about 8-12 meters away before audio started to show some severe interruptions. The other way around was checked by sending audio stream from Redmi Note 8Pro to AP80Pro over bluetooth — no problems there either.

Audio quality:

First, I would like to share AP80 general impressions and than I would compare it to AP80Pro by pointing out the changes. Such approach is logical because 3.5 audio output has not changed at all (or there are only subtle changes). Therefore, the main difference and new experience would come from balanced 2.5mm output. To keep this comparison precise, I’ve used AP80 + Hidizs Seeds 3.5mm V|S AP80Pro + Hidizs Seeds 2.5 balanced IEMs. So, similar IEMs with different types of connection, same settings, same audio material.

Initial AP80 impressions: 

What I like the most is that AP80 sounds neutral with no tendency to emphasize any frequency. Lows, mids and highs are in good balance making this DAP universal to feed it with any kind of music genre. I would call it a precise source for connecting any further audio equipment like headphones, large power amps, active speakers, etc.

Good clarity and crispness on higher frequencies with the further ability to switch filter effects; precise texturing and presence of lows; powerfull, fast and punchy midbass; natural sounding at midrange with pleasing vocals and its weighted presence in the entire mix. ATH-M50 40Ohms load is easily driven by AP80 creating the feel of mature and balanced sound picture.

The signature is a bit on the brighter side, no moody or tube-like performance, no cattle effect. Bass is completely enough to hear its nuances with ATH-M50, at least. Neither we’ve found the disturbing presence of sibilance in highest octave. Besides, we didn’t even try to play with HibyMusic MSEB feature that gives additional control over such aspects as:

• sound temperature
• bass extension
• bass texture
• note thickness
• vocals
• female overtones
• sibilance LF
• sibilance HF
• impulse response
• air

all of that was kept at default settings during out tests and the resulting sound didn’t require any changes. But the availability of such features, along with gain and filters, gives you a huge field for rurther experiments of tuning this source for the final audio equipment in chain.

Channel separation is better than entry-level models demonstrate but not so distant as in case with flagship DAPs or AMPs with coupled DAC chips. The resulting sound stage width, depth and instument location is equal or even a bit more than we would expected from such portable device. Monaural recordings show good distance and intsrument placement on stage with clear horizontal and vertical position.

I also tested AP80 with Hidizs Seeds IEMs and found that they make a great pair. ATH-M50, sometimes, might emphasize low frequencies and are very straight forward. Excellent for detail analysis and tests but too strict for getting some rest… Seeds IEMs are softer, warmer and smooth. They create the additional fluency while maintaining the same amount of details.

AP80 SE V|S AP80Pro Balanced output: 

The main advantage of using AP80Pro balanced output instead of AP80 3.5 SE is the amount of power it produces which inevitably leads to more juicy presentation, more dynamics (especially in midbass section), more clarity and transaprency in overall.

Of course, this difference only becomes apparent with high impedance headphones or IEMs which require more power to be driven to an aprropriate level. If pairing both DAPs with the same low impedance | high sensitivity IEMs the differences in sound get less apparent… Perhaps, the main difference is better instrument separation and larger imaginary stage. In other words — I like balanced output sound more due to extended assertiveness in combination with less cramped feel under the same circumstances.

Freedom to choose more demanding output head gear and having enough power in reserve under the hood — this what makes AP80Pro superior to its precedessor even if the changes in audio signature and characteristics are on the subtle side.

 Conclusion:   

Since the first day of arrival the initial version of AP80 became the main portable source of audio for me and was serving its role perfectly up till now. There were some bugs at the beginning which were eliminated by Hidizs with the new FW releases. The only arguable spec was its output power resulting into a range of final gear limited to a lower impedance.

The release of AP80Pro not only inherited all the virtues of the previous DAP, but also comes with a stable FW and solves the aforemended concern. Now it can squish more juice of a higher loads while apparently increasing audio quality in terms of channel separation and dynamic range. Thus, Hidizs had done a really good job of transforming their excellent ultra-portable DAP to an ultimate and mighty piece of technology, especially in respect of its size. Should one switch to AP80Pro from a previous version — probably not unless there is no intention to use it with high impedance gear. Is it worth to buy or should be chosen over AP80? Definitely yes — it is an excellent bargain, packed with lots of modern features, with a great sound and good user experience.

10% discount for any item at Hidizs store using our promocode: ZMCR10

Official AP80Pro page and store: LINK

Official Hidizs Amazon store: LINK

Thank you for reading.

Stay tuned, more reviews to come!

It has been quite hot this season for different discroveries and revelations among HiRes DAPs, IEMs and other audio accessories. One of the main premieres was the HiBy R6Pro DAP with mighty power output, packed with lots of features and built on excellent HW base. Virtually, this model has eliminated the differences between high-quality smartphones and HiRes DAPs, combining the latest Android OS fluent operation with recent Direct Transport Architecture (DTA) protocol, fully functional Google Play services and excellent sound quality. But here comes the successor — HiBy R5 — slightly less sophisticated model, positioned below R6Pro flagship, but with the same philosophy, new features and revised hardware.

Note: this unit was provided to me by HiBy in exchange for the honest opinion and review.

HiBy R5 at official store

HiBy R5 technical specifications:

General HW&SW:

• Operating System Android 8.1
• SoC Snapdragon 425
• No. of CPU Cores 4
• CPU Max Frequency 1.4GHz
• Display 4.0 inches, IPS
• Resolution 540*1080
• PPI 300
• Touchscreen control
• RAM 2GB
• Internal Storage 16GB
• External Storage Up tp 512GB + via 1 micro SD card
• Firmware Update Over-the-air update
• Text Size Ajustable
• 3rd Party Apps Unrestricted access via Google Play and apk download

Audio:

• DAC CS43198 x 2
• C43198 dual crystal oscillators (45.1584 + 49.152MHz)
• Max output power: 1040mW+1040mW@16Ω / 564mW+564mW@32Ω
• Headphone Impedance Range 16~300Ω
• EQ Adjustments 10 bands (±12dB)
• MSEB function
• Channel Balance L 10dB to R 10dB
• Gain Level Low / High
• USB DAC PCM/DoP/Native
• Headphone Out 3.5mm
• Balanced Headphone Out 4.4mm
• Line Out 3.5mm LO
• Balanced Out 4.4mm LO
• Digital Out SPDIF (USB out)

Connectivity:

• WIFI 5GHz/2.4GHz, supports IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n protocols
• Two-way Bluetooth 4.2 (supports: apt-X, apt-X HD, LDAC, UAT)
• USB TypeC (USB2.0 data rate)
• USB USB storage, USB DAC IN/OUT

Physical:

• Buttons 6 physical buttons
• Buttons Definitions Power/Previous/Pause/Next/Volume Up/Volume Down
• Colors Black/Gray/Gold
• Dimensions 107.7*61.2*15.6mm

Power:

• Power Supply 9V/1.5A
• Battery 3500mAh
• Charge Time 2H
• Charge Protocol QC3.0

Most important features of this DAP:

Dual Cirrus Logic’s CS43198: Cirrus Logic audio products with the MasterHIFI and SmartHIFI designed to meet the highest standard in high-fidelity audio playback. MasterHIFI and SmartHIFI products deliver the very best performance in sound clarity and pure, euphoric audio listening.

Combines Headphone & Line Out functions: both 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports support headphone and line out functions. Thanks to battery space and efficiency optimizations, this palm-sized powerhouse outputs balanced power up to 1040mW+1040mW@16Ω and 564mW+564mW@32Ω, yet manages to last up to 11 hours balanced / 18 hours SE.

DTA Architecture: Android sample rate conversion bypass. Its DTA Android global lossless output technology ensuring that sound output and reception would not be interfered with.

UAT (Ultra Audio Transmission): the ultimate Bluetooth HiFi audio quality provided by audio codec developed by HiBy. Supporting an industry-highest sample rate of 192kHz and data bandwidth of 1.2Mbps.

Two-way Bluetooth: HiBy R5 supports two-way Bluetooth, which can be used as a Bluetooth transmitter or receiver.

Packaging, design and build quality:

Traditionally for HiBy, R5 DAP comes in black matt box with embossed product name, logo and slogan. Back side of the box contains company address, regular precautions and sticker with the barcode.

Inner box compartment consists of soft insert that holds R5 DAP at place and couple of additional cases with the accessories underneath it.

Box contents:

• HiBy R5 DAP (with preapplied screen and back panel protective film)
• Memory card clip
• USB type-C -> USB cable
• Transparent silicone case
• 1 extra screen protector
• User manual
• Couple of leaflets concerning warranty

Silicone case is a great accessory to have right out of the box — no need to jump across the websites in a search of the protection for such beatiful and at the same time vulnerable device. This case is transparent, with precise openings for all the buttons and ports.

HiBy R5 shell is made of rough aluminum with lots of glass panels. Front part is occupied by the glass cover of 4inch, almost boarderless, 2.5D screen.

Similar in dimension 2.5D glass panel is applied to the back side of this DAP.

Top and bottom edges are also covered with glass. Only the curved sides represents pure aluminum with no additional decore elements.

As to the physical controls and ports: top edge if left totally blank while right side contains volume buttons and memory card slot, left side — power, plays/pause/ previous/next buttons and bottom edge gathered all ports (3.5mm / 4.4mm / USB type-C).

Again, traditionally for HiBy, power button is combined with multicolor LED that indicates charging states and type / quality of currently playing audio. All buttons have comfortable feel, not too tight or too loose, with the obvious click. No rattling or free movement of buttons or other elements whatsoever.

In overall, the design of R5 is kind of conservative but with interesting and attractive findings in descoration by glass panels. Build quality is excellent, there is absolutely nothing to complain about.

The only thing that might have been improved is the screen protection film that is preapplied on the factory — its edges are getting peeled off the curved sided of the screen. As far as I know this is the headache for all manufacturers now if they have chosen to deal with 2.5D screen glass.

Screen:

Surely, this is one of the main recent trends and one of the best screens you would find among all current DAPs. HiBy didn’t hesitate to provide the best user experience in terms of vitrual controls in its Android-based player.

Expect similar behavior of 4inch multitouch IPS as in any high-quality smartphone. There is vitrually not distance between screen glass and panel, all finger interactions with vitrual elements are precise. One OTA update for R5 has already been released that have raised touch layer sensitivity which made the intercations even more comfortable and snappy.

Screen density of 300PPI is totally enough for this physical size to maintain the balance between very good picture detalization and size of the elements. HiBy R6Pro still holds the lead as the DAP with the best screen but R5 is a only a fraction behind: brightness level and contrast are almost equal while the sensitivity and sharpness of R6Pro screen is still slightly better.

But the IPS panels, at least, seem to originate from the same vendor — color calibration and other parameters are very close to each other. Great screen, still rare for DAPs and that would not limit functionality of the device.

OS and UI in operation:

In general, Andoid OS and stock UI feel great on the chosen Snapdragon 425 platform. It’s working fast, with fluent system animations and good response. 2GB RAM might become a limitation in case if to load too many apps but the main idea of this device is to deliver best audio quality with stock HiBy Music app. Several other apps like Youtube, Tidal, etc won’t do much difference and would coexist perfectly.

Just remember not to open to many tabs in browser  as always. Some slight hiccups when scrolling through songs were found in HiBy Music app right after the initial track list was populated by the SD scan function. When the indexing was over — nothing like this was spotted again. Fluent and snappy.

R5 back side of the case heats up while charging to about 38-39C. Less heat is generated when it is just decoding audio.

Outputs and connectivity:

One of the best thing about R5 is the amount of connectivity options leading to the different usage scenarios. First of all — they have combined 3.5mm SE / 4.4mm Balanced phone outputs with LO options.

Although, couldn’t find the information of the impedance change when LO is selected on either of the two ports. Volume lock doesn’t occur either, it just jumps to the highest setting when you select LO mode with the further ability to control it. Next is the two-way Bluetooth that allows the reception or sending audio stream with the most sophisticated wireless protocols such as LDAC. Moreover, Bluetooth supports UAT codec as well — highest quality of Bluetooth audio (24bit/192kHz) currently available on the market and developed by HiBy.

And finally, USB DAC / SPDIF out to use this player as external USB audio card or transport. Unfortunately, there is no dedicated ASIO driver yet listed in the download section of HiBy official support page (waiting for that to appear later) and the only option in Windows environment is to use WASAPI instead. Vitrually no audio lag in this scenario which leads to comfortable multimedia consumption.

Another main concern about R5 in comparison to its flagship relative is whether it does have the same amount of interference caused by radio wave emitting devices and whether there is a similarly apparent noise floor on balanced output. And the answer for both questions — no. Haven’t noticed any interference even a smartphone is brought very close to R5. Neither have I noticed any noise — the background stays perfectly dark.

FW upgrades:

This is too easy part as this DAP supports OTA updates that are pushed by HiBy when available. Ocassional checks would notify about the new versions with the full changelog. The update would be executed automatically after pressing Update button. No reason to download, unpack, copy and place the files in the right folders — everything is automated here. The back door through recovery mode still exists when something went wrong with the main process but, hopefully, wouldn’t be necessary. For now there was one update that increased touchscreen sensitivity and provided some other minor fixes.

Sound quality:

Tested with AudioTechnica ATH-M50, Tanchjim Oxygen, Magaosi K6, Earnine EN2J, Moondrop Kanas Pro, Anew U1, HIFI BOY OSV3…  

Driving ability: most of the time the volume with IEMs of up to 32Ω was kept at 62% and low gain setting. This was enough to drive IEMs well and to have slightly more volume than necessary for comfortable listening.

Lows and midbass:

R5 has textured and perfectly outlined lows with enough presence and absence of the accent on this range. Bass is deep with fast decay. Lows are clear, naturally fill the space and perfectly separated from mids and treble. Bass remains fully perceptible at all volume levels. Midbass section feels powerful and have enough dynamics to deliver drums naturally. Sound stays neutral here — no evident influence from lower or higher ranges.

Mids and vocals:

Vocals as well as the instruments in mids are quite thick and dense. The perceptible resolution is impressive and seems to be slightly raised by the influence of treble. Very slight emotional bloom here and there on female vocals and upper mid range instruments. Although, no screaming notes and no hisses. Male and female voices sound naturally and equally exposed. Instrument separation is decent which also helps to define a larger stage. In overall, mids feel smooth, slightly warm and mellow with a slight emotional touch on higher portion.

Treble:

Treble is clear and crisp while seems to be slightly more exposed that lows. It produces a bit thin sound with no tendency to show the excessive amount of sibilances. It is less delicate than reproduced by R6Pro but giving the sound more transparency and brightness. The overall signature of R5 is slightly brighter and colder because of that (in comparison to R6Pro).

Soundstage:

R5 produces large imaginary stage in both — width and depth. Stage is very large when paired with good IEMs over balanced type of connection. Precise instument locations, defined contours, good layering between the ranges and distinct sound of all the instruments.

Compared to HiBy R6Pro:

R6Pro definitely has more reference-like neutral sound with a little accent on delivering and resolving lows. It sounds mellow and warm with high amount of harmonics in lower and mid ranges. Treble is very delicate and calm. HiBy R5 is less oriented towards lows, exposing and resolving treble more. This leads to more emotional, energetic and brighter sound signature. Although, R5 and R6Pro have similarly good texturing on bass and large soundstage.

Conclusion:

Despite being positioned by HiBy lower that their flagship R6Pro, R5 DAP, as a successor, have some new features and advantages, revised balanced output and keeps up with the same satisfying user experience quite well. Due to high driving potential, it earns similar award for being a powerhouse among most of the other DAPs and due to its hardware/software base — for being a full-feature pack. Moreover, free of radio interference and with showing perfectly black background. Only thing that left is too choose whether you want neutral reference sound of R6Pro or slightly brigher and emotional sound of R5… Either of two would be a great bargain.

Hiby R5 at official store