HiBy R3PRO II Review – Concert Hall In Your Palm
The HiBy R3PRO II is a compact, high-fidelity digital audio player (DAP) designed for audiophiles seeking excellent sound quality and portability without the complexities of a full Android operating system. It builds upon its predecessors with significant upgrades in audio architecture, user experience, and battery life.
Premium Build & Ergonomics
The R3PRO II’s sturdy yet lightweight aluminium alloy body (86.9 × 60.6 × 21.6 mm, 160 g) is available in four finishes: Ultrasuede in green and orange, and matte glass in black and white. The Ultrasuede back (by Toray Japan) feels luxurious, soft, and grippy, ideal for long usage, while the matte glass version is smudge-resistant and stylish
Audiophile-Calibre Sound Hardware
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Dual CS43198 DACs offer class-leading resolution, low distortion, and a vivid stereo image, helping to create a wide, immersive soundstage
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Flagship-grade headphone amp with four OPA1622 chips in dual-channel parallel delivers up to 480 mW through the 4.4 mm balanced output—enough to drive demanding planar and electrostatic headphones
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Integrated 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced outputs, plus line-out, USB, S/PDIF, Bluetooth, and Wi‑Fi connectivity, make this device exceptionally versatile.
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Dual crystal oscillators (45.1584 & 49.152 MHz) minimise jitter across sample rates, ensuring tight, accurate audio
Connectivity & I/O Versatility
The R3PRO II isn’t just a DAP—it’s a multi-functional audio hub:
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USB/S/PDIF and USB DAC support enable the transmission of digital audio to other devices.
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Bluetooth 5.1 supports LDAC, aptX, AAC, SBC, and both receive/transmit modes.
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Wireless streaming via AirPlay, DLNA, TIDAL, Qobuz, and Wi-Fi file transfer up to 2 TB storage
UX & Display
A responsive 3.3″ IPS touchscreen (720×480) with vibrant colours complements the upgraded X1600E SoC for snappy UI performance. Features like double-tap wake and customizable volume knob/buttons enhance ergonomics.
Battery Life & Certification
Built with a 4,000 mAh battery, it delivers over 21 hours of playback and ~900 hours of standby. It also holds dual Hi-Res Audio certifications (wired and wireless) from the Japan Audio Society.
Sound & MSEB Tuning
HiBy’s MSEB allows greater control over tonal warmth, note thickness, vocal presence, and more, offering deep customisation beyond traditional EQ.
Specs
- Dual CS43198
- 4x OPA1622 headphone amps separate from DAC
- 4000mAh large battery
- 3.5mm PO+ 4.4mm BAL.PO
- Up to 480mW output power
- Line out | USB | S/PDIF | Bluetooth freeform signal I/O
- 3.3” High resolution touchscreen
- All-new UI
- Fully featured HiByOS
- MSEB audio tuning board
- DSD256 / PCM384kHz/32bit
- MQA 8X
- Dual Hi-res certifications
- Bluetooth 5.1
- WiFi support
- Supports up to 2TB storage expansion via microSD card
- PD2.0 fast charge
- Price: $199
Unboxing
Disclaimer: The HiBy R3PRO II was kindly provided by HiBy for review.
New UI
Sound
I do like the HiBy R3PRO II’s clean and black background combined with its spacious and airy, yet natural presentation. It comes off as a neutral-sounding DAP with a focus on providing clarity. It does not provide additional or less warmth to the sound. The stage positioning and layering are a pleasure to the ear, especially with IEMs like the HiBy Yacht10.
The bass response is crisp with a great level of detail. Thus, this opens the mid-range and allows it to shine through the overall sound. The midrange is presented in a lush and highly resolving manner. Treble energy is very good and remains neutral without colouration.
Lows
The HiBy R3PRO II is capable of delivering impactful yet agile bass. The sub and mid-bass quantities are great. The R3PRO II can easily extend and reach when the track asks for it. It does not feel like it is lacking anybody in bass and shapes its response well according to the track’s requirements.
Pairing it with an equally capable in-ear monitor gets you a tight, fast bass with a great slam, and that’s quite good at any price point. The extension is nice. Overall, the bass has adequate presence, carries a good amount of detail, and feels fast enough to feel dynamic.
Mids
The HiBy R3PRO II shines in the mids, and you get a natural and very musical presentation with plenty of airy and excellent precision, depth, layering, and separation. The mids sound dynamic, natural, and spacious, and with the realistically positioned vocals that are not too energetic, the mids are soft and easy on the ear.
The midrange is clean, resolving, and articulate. The transition from bass to mids is smooth. The vocals feel articulate, clean, and natural. The stringed instruments do not lack body, and their timbre feels great for a DAP that is sub $200.
The upper mids are controlled yet expansive, and they carry a good amount of detail also. The presentation feels airy and spacious, partly due to the well-done tuning of this region. Hi-hats and cymbals never sound dull or too harsh as they carry a good amount of excitement while staying away from the sibilance.
Treble
The HiBy R3PRO II’s treble reproduction is impressive, just like its midrange. It offers a clean, extended, and controlled treble. It is not overdone, nor is it boosted to impose a false sense of resolution; it is rather well done, and it does not feel aggressive or lacking in any way.
The highest frequencies are refined and informative. It’s not something you miss in isolation, however, because DC07Pro manages to paint a very believable and natural tonality. Play wind instruments, for example, and they will sound airy and rich with inner tone texture, the way they sound in real life.
The bite is there when the track asks for it, and so is the extension. The treble sounds resolving, clean, and dynamic. It boosts the perceived sense of articulacy. HiBy R3PRO II has energetic, detailed yet natural treble responses.
Vocals and treble are always nicely energetic and vivid, but they never refrain from being natural. The technical level of the section is at its very best, but it’s never overly energetic. The vocals and higher frequencies are always dynamic, vivid, and exciting.
Technicalities
From a technical standpoint, the HiBy R3PRO II has a great tonal balance, great clarity, and a spacious and airy presentation. It handles congestion well, and multi-instrumented complex passages are easy dilemmas when paired with an equally capable IEM.
The soundstage is reasonably wide and airy, with a respectable perceived depth, too. Generally speaking, HiBy R3PRO II tends to paint the soundscape starting from your earphones and going behind them, not pushing the leading vocals and instruments forward. But don’t get me wrong here – HiBy R3PRO II is not a closed-sounding or too tame-sounding DAP. Its spatially laid-back presentation doesn’t conceal fine information or inner tone detailing.
Dynamics and microdynamics are very capable, too. When the fast-paced song comes along, HiBy R3PRO II will not leave you wanting. It’s a quick and lively-sounding DAP, with enough mass and authority to bring the rhythm section alive.
Sum-Up
The HiBy R3PRO II sets a new benchmark for portable players in its class. Packed with enthusiast-level DACs and amplification, wireless and wired connectivity, robust battery life, and premium design—all under $200— a concert hall in your palm. It’s ideal for audiophiles who want uncompromised performance and versatility in a compact, stylish package.