HiBy R4 player review - hard to believe price

HiBy's new player offers an interesting design, decent sound and overall smooth experience. And all that for the lowest price we've seen for an Android DAPs.
Official site: store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r4
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - Unboxing and accessories
4:18 - Design and controls
8:42 - Firmware
11:34 - Sound
18:26 - Comparisons
Tracks mentioned in the review
Wardruna - Wunjo
Metallica - Sad But True
Whiplash OST - Caravan

[@rolfathan]

You've been doing such detailed, good reviews for years. Honestly, thank you. Your efforts and passion deserve more recognition.

[@PortaFi]

thank you!

[@Jaawaudio]

Great review! This DAP seems like an absolute winner, seen so much praise for it, your review might have just sealed the deal :D

[@ThreeDogShow]

I preordered it yesterday. Got the all black model

[@PortaFi]

welcome to the club!

[@arshedfazal]

Did u receive to hand yet?

[@ThreeDogShow]

@@arshedfazal nope. They said it should ship now

[@arshedfazal]

@@ThreeDogShow awesome! Fingers crossed and I too ordered an all black 4 days ago. Literally can’t wait and scavenging the internet for any and all reviews about the unit

[@6irindra]

pre ordered it yesterday from a distributor in my country, live pretty close to China and it should arrive on the end of May or early June. Ordered the black one because of 2 things 1. minimalistic and bold, and all my gears are black 2. the number 04 on the backside (from the other color scheme) is quite disturbing, the angle of the number and the design. It make the look unbearable for me. The black one got the best look for me.

[@Wainster]

Always great thought goes into your reviews, well done again. I think HiBy should be applauded here, in recent years prices in our hobby have kept creeping up - so to bring these specifications at this price is great for the first time DAP buyers...

[@PortaFi]

thank you! yes, HiBy is working hard to give more for less. I also appreciate that they're working with design, always offering something new and fresh

[@jaybrodnax]

I love the visual design

[@nhecos2998]

Great review as usual. If possible can you please confirm if the file transfer data rate on USB is indeed USB3? Also, from a sound quality point of you, do you think this is a considerable upgrade over the Hiby R5? Thank you so much for your work.

[@PortaFi]

thank you! as for a files transfer, sorry, I didn't measure that, I just use card reader, it's more convenient to me as for R5, if it's about the first version, R4 is more neutral and balanced. if it's about the recent one, it'll be slightly better than R4

[@CinemaDemocratica]

With the R6iii you can side-load an app that will distort the soundfield width. Can you do that with this one too?

[@PortaFi]

It's just an Android, so you can do the same things here too

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. Did you get a chance to try with a streaming service ? A new select for you playlist "Rolling Over" by Low Roar How's your new headphone

[@PortaFi]

Thank you! I tried it with Deezer. And thank you for a suggestion Which headphones you mean?

[@ying27]

Very nice review! I am still using my Hiby R6 (1st gen). Do you think this new R4 will be an upgrade over the R6?

[@PortaFi]

I don't remember R6 well, so not sure here. But probably I'd still considered an upgrade at least because of a newer chipset

[@kiki_indra]

The black... So handsome...

[@vonelli241]

Good to see your face finally. 🙂

[@ANOLE_VX]

I'm really considering the R4 before, the price to performance ratio is insane. But a few weeks ago, I saw a listing of a used, but almost new condition R5 Gen 2 for $220. Since one of my deal breaker for a DAP is a shorter battery life, I ended up buying the R5 Gen 2, it claims that it can run for more than 30 hours in single ended and less than 30 for the balance mode. NGL, I'm really jealous of the R4's specs that rivals even Hiby's higher tier DAPs such as the R5 and R6 series. I'll probably buy the R4 if I didn't discover the pre owned R5 II. I'm glad that R4 exist now, bang for the buck specs in a very competitive price point!

[@s1nonnn589]

How's this compared to ka17 technical wise especially soundstage, imaging, layering and details?

[@PortaFi]

sorry, didn't do comparisons. by memory KA17 is more refined

[@jacegreen3696]

Is it worth upgrading from the Shanling M1S to this, regardless of OS. ? Sound comparison would be appreciated. Thanks

[@PortaFi]

If you want more neutral and less warm sound, you can consider upgrade, otherwise - no

[@mrigankadeyMD]

how does it compare to shanling m3 ultra ? i bought the m3u due to smaller size based on your review. should i get this one instead ? would really like your opinion 🥺

[@PortaFi]

M3 Ultra is a bit more warmer, tighter, more dynamic and emotional

[@mrigankadeyMD]

thanks for clarifying, looking at the specs m3u has more updated dac chips but less power and android 10​ and slightly less battery so it seems new r4 is not an upgrade. will wait for more updated lineup of hiby@@PortaFi

[@duytranhuu8241]

Could you please give me some advice? Should I pick the Hiby R4 or Shanling M3 Ultra in terms of sound quality. Many thanks. Really appreciate.

[@PortaFi]

Hello, if we'd simplify everything a bit, chose Shanling for a more warmth and punch, or HiBy for a more neutral sound

[@vaisakhmurali6918]

Have you used ibasso dx170 ? Are these both comparable? Which is your first go when coming to ibasso/hiby in terms of 1.sound tone 2. User experience

[@PortaFi]

In terms of sound, R4 is more neutral, while DX170 is a bit more forward. In terms of UX R4 will be better as it uses newer chipset

[@ElNINETEENTH]

Compared to Hiby R6P2 how to they differ in terms of sound ? Does the 525 power output is a quality power or just a number ?

[@PortaFi]

> Compared to Hiby R6P2 how to they differ in terms of sound ? R6Pro2 is much better > Does the 525 power output is a quality power or just a number ? Sorry, I don't understand this question. I didn't measure its output power

[@ElNINETEENTH]

@@PortaFi what I meant is R4 has more power than R6P2 so does that mean it will drive sensitive iems better than R6P2?

[@PortaFi]

no, it won't. first of all, sensetive IEMs doesn't require more power, and also R6 Pro 2 features a much more advanced DAC/amp/etc. So will sound better

[@nhecos2998]

Any plans to review the Ibasso DX260? Thanks!

[@PortaFi]

no, I don't have it in near plans

[@dougieshizzle]

Grabbed this over the Sony NW-a306 for the system wide bit perfect audio. Going to be a dedicated Apple Music streamer for my 2.1 setup. My current DAP is a Sony NW-a55 with Mr. Walkman firmware, really hope the sound quality of the R4 is just as good if not better Also you can save $10 with 'Welcome10' promo code, phenomenal deal at $239.00 shipped and no tax!

[@PortaFi]

thank you for sharing!

[@lokrj]

Wow does the same price NW-A306 not even have systemwide bit-perfect audio? What's the point of buying a DAP then if it is so.

[@dougieshizzle]

@@lokrj Apparently it does not :(

[@bohdan4875]

@@lokrj A306 better for TWS headphones

[@PortaFi]

@@bohdan4875 for TWS headphones you can simply use your smartphone

[@lonestar1664]

how does it work as a streaming solution or source with Xduoo 05 Pro?

[@PortaFi]

I don't have this xDuoo, but most likely, it'll work OK, because it's just an android device

[@javi1981]

Hello PortaFi! Currently which of all the iems is your favorite? I'm looking for an iem end game, the price doesn't matter and I see that I agree a lot with your tastes in DAPs and iems! I really value your work and your analysis, big hug!

[@PortaFi]

Well, my favourite one is still IMR Rah, I used to them for many years. From the models that it's possible to find I can mention CA Supermoon for example…

[@danielthomas8456]

How would this compare with the Shanling M3 Ultra?

[@PortaFi]

Shanling is slightly warmer, bit more "analogue" sounding and with more accented emotions and dynamics

[@krishnaprasad4325]

Can we use this even after Android support over ? like a non android digital player ?

[@PortaFi]

Even if android support will be over, it will still work. But I don't think it'll be a thing in a forseeable future. I think hardware will became outdated faster :)

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

This dap has bitperfect? I want a dap to stream apple music and download loseless music. Thanks

[@PortaFi]

Not sure what you mean by "bitperfect" here, but it has SRC bypass so it'll be as "bitperfect" as possible

[@farukuruc]

Should I sell my M11 Plus ESS for this DAP? I want to use system wide PEQ.

[@PortaFi]

If you're ok with downgrading, it can be an option, as R4 is more basic in terms of sound. Otherwise, you can consider newer FiiO models (they've added system-wide EQ), or more high-end HiBys

[@yamanjoseph]

I wish more reviewers would take a look at the Aune M1p dap. It has phenomenal sound at an inexpensive price. It has some quirks and is just a basic player but it's still pretty great. I can't understand why it gets so little attention paid to it.

[@kawaiikoto8800]

There's practically no advertisement for it, and Aune isn't really active on big reviewers like Crinacle's Discord or Headphoneshow forum to promote them.

[@PortaFi]

Unfortunately, Aune isn't represented at local distributors, and without that I can't get a loan :)

[@Poschmane]

Ii like the designs Hiby is throwing but as u said the cheaper ones R2 and R3 dont have this resolution like ibasso, shanling, fiio or hidizs devices in this price class....but i never tried higher priced hiby daps yet.. I always wanted to try once a hiby with this darwin architecture.

[@PortaFi]

TBH, I don't remember iBasso and FiiO players in the R3-2 price tier. As for Shanling, their M1S - isn't better than R3-2

[@Rumeel12708]

This things looks sexy, I would love to add colored skins with button combos! Uughh I'm debating on this or MoonDrops MIAD01. 🤔 So far the only review of the MIAD said that it separates every element in the song! 😱. I HOPE TO SEE YOUR REVIEW SOON!

[@PortaFi]

unfortunately, it's not highly likely that I'll get MIAD01 for review in near future. But I'm pretty sure that there will be a lot of reviews in near future

[@lmcteo]

Does the black scratch or worse, chip off easily?

[@PortaFi]

I don't know :) Only time will tell. I use it for a few weeks only, so far - so good

[@darbukadrummer]

Tempotec v6 or hiby r4?¿

[@PortaFi]

R4, it's faster and sound is a bit more balanced

[@Hijynx87]

is it better than my Shanling m3ultra?

[@PortaFi]

no, it's not better, so enjoy your M3 U :)

[@chihinli]

The design reminds me of Pioneer XDP-100R dap.

[@PortaFi]

yes, there is a slight similarity

[@moviemanstuff7108]

Can I play Apple Music on this device?

[@PortaFi]

yes

[@moviemanstuff7108]

@@PortaFi thanks!

[@prabhuja7554]

Ahw 😊finally saw you...

[@PortaFi]

nice to meet you :)

[@djvalentin]

Hiby R4 overheating issue!! I'm quite disappointed with the product. Although it looks impressive and should be worth more than $600, just by looking at it, it appears to have been built with cheap components and has poor heat dissipation. Mine is overheating; I cannot even touch it. Is anyone having this issue?

[@PortaFi]

I'm sorry you have this issue. I'm using my R4 for a few weeks already and don't have this issue. It's getting warm, but moderataly Anyway, on Head-Fi and FB HiBy's representative said to contact them to solve this issue

[@capdew]

I have an aging Calyx M DAP which has a ES9018 and also has a Class A output, the sound is great but it runs hot with insufficient battery life so I guess expecting a Class A amp to run cool is not quite realistic as heat is part of any Class A amp

[@suntanglory]

Hiby lack thinking ability,a player like this should 50 hours plus battery life by now.Battery life is more important than power output for daily use.l dont know what this dap makers are thinking,even at 20 dollars l would not buy this for the terrible battery life.Thank you.

[@PortaFi]

Unfortunately, we can't do anything with physics. Those players are created for those who want to get a better DAC chip(s) and amplification. And that components require power. If someone need just a longer battery life time, some inexpensive android phone will give that

[@suntanglory]

@@PortaFi How does a better dac require power?You can still have these dac without the amplification that reduces the battery life..

[@PortaFi]

​@@suntanglory probably you refer not "DAC without amplification", but "DAC with built-in amplifier", like some of ESS SoC. But this player uses more advanced components that require much more power

[@capdew]

Then you should not look for a DAP that is compact and sports a Class A amp

[@bohdan4875]

Думал себе сони А306 взять , явно возьму лучше этот Хайби все таки разница 250 и 450 долларов имеет значение) тем более хайби на много технологичней выходит

[@MrPatosexyhot]

How it could be tus R4 against a Tempotec V6 talking just in sound terms?

[@PortaFi]

R4 is less bright to my ears and because of that sounds slightly more balanced

[@MrPatosexyhot]

@@PortaFi do you consider that R4 has a better timbre than the V6..? Thanks for answering!