HiBy always manages to surprise us somehow. This time they did it again with the R4. Man, this thing is something else. A DAP that looks wild, sounds proper, and doesn’t even cost that much. Price is around 250 bucks, which is honestly quite competitive. And yeah sure, other brands like Shanling, FiiO, iBasso got stuff in this range too. But the R4? I feel it kinda stands out. Like, the build, the functionality, and even the vibe—everything feels one step ahead in some way.
Disclaimer
I got the HiBy R4 sent over by HifiGo for review, just to be clear. Everything I’m saying here is just my own thoughts, nobody told me what to say or anything like that. They didn’t pay me either, just sent the unit, that’s all.
Quick note tho: I’m the type who’s all about that warm, analog kinda sound. You know, where the music feels thick and cozy, bass and mids got a little extra oomph to ’em. I love when stuff sounds full and kinda soft around the edges, like vinyl. Natural, chilled out, not all sharp and clinical. That’s the kinda sound that really pulls me in, makes me just sit back and lose track of time. So yeah, just keep that in mind, that’s the sorta thing I’m basing this review on.
If you’re thinking about grabbing one, you can check it out at HifiGo. And if you’re in Bangladesh, you could hit up GeekMart for it.
What’s in the Box
- Hiby R4
- Cover
- USB Type-C Cable
- Screen Protector
Build Quality & Design – A Tiny Cyberpunk Machine
Okay so let’s talk design first. The HiBy R4 legit feels like a brick in the hand — in a good way. It’s built like a little tank, made of aluminum, got some weight to it too. That big battery (4500mAh) and display probably add to it.
Design wise? Bro this thing screams cyberpunk. I got the orange variant, and it’s just wow. Loud but not tacky. Modern, but not try-hard. The back has a nice glass section with “04” written on it looks dope. It’s all framed inside a solid structure. Also there’s a kinda raised section with HiBy branding, and the best part orange LEDs that light up when you’re playing music. Looks sick in the dark.
Front side got a big bright screen. Underneath it is this cool RGB ring light. It changes color depending on the sample rate of the file you’re playing, FLAC, MP3, DSD, whatever. Geeky detail, but I like it. Only downside is, yeah, the light bleeds a bit into the screen. That part’s kinda meh.
Now, buttons and ports are all well placed. Left side got the volume buttons and SD card slot (goes up to 2TB, no joke). On the right, power, play/pause, skip, and previous buttons. Top side got a toggle switch that locks the physical buttons, super useful if you’re putting it in your pocket. And there’s a strap hook if you’re that guy.
Bottom side? All the good stuff 3.5mm SE, 4.4mm balanced, and a USB Type-C port. Love that everything’s just where it should be.
Sound Impressions – Fun but Clean
Okay coming to the most important part, how does it sound?
Well, to keep it simple, the sound is neutral, but musical. Like, it’s clean and reference-ish but still got that flavor. Not boring at all. It’s not overly warm, and not too dry either. Right in the pocket.
Bass – Tight and Punchy
Bass on this thing? Actually impressive. The sub-bass goes deep, has that rumble, but it don’t overstay. On tracks like Limit to Your Love – James Blake, it gives that deep physical feel.
But it’s the mid-bass that steals the show. It’s tight, got slam, and just hits right. You get that kick drum punch in Goosebumps – Travis Scott, and it feels alive. Fast bass. Controlled. No bloat.
Mids – Smooth and Well Balanced
Now for the mids, pretty natural overall. Male vocals got this little bit of warmth, makes them sound thick and alive. Like Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues sounds damn soulful.
Female vocals are more forward than on my R5 Saber. They pop a bit more tracks like Toy Soldiers – Martika or Adele – Hello sound fresh and engaging. But I gotta say, if you’re using bright IEMs, after a long session some high-pitch female vocals can get a bit fatiguing. Not too much, but it’s there.
Instruments – Real and Never Harsh
Everything sounds like how it’s supposed to. No weird harshness or plasticky feel. Piano, violin, even electric guitars, they got texture. Trumpets don’t sound piercing either.
Separation is good. Every instrument got its own space. In busy tracks like Bohemian Rhapsody, nothing gets muddy. Clean layers.
Treble – Clear but Gentle
The highs here are done right. You get details, air, and energy, but it’s never stabby. Cymbals shimmer but don’t hiss. Fleetwood Mac – Dreams or Metallica – Nothing Else Matters still got that sparkle, but not ear-piercing. You can listen for hours.
Soundstage & Imaging – Wide and Precise
Stage is wide but realistic. Not that fake wide. Feels like a room with space around. Imaging is really spot-on. You know exactly where a sound is coming from. Especially with live tracks or orchestral stuff — it feels immersive.
IEM Pairings I Tried
Used this with a bunch of IEMs from my collection. Some worked better than others. Here’s how it went:
- TRI I3 MK3 – Planar mids and bass get more life. Big stage. Killer combo.
- Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing – Smooth and relaxed. R4 controls the low end, adds clarity.
- QOA Adonis New – Crisp vocals and wide sound. Female vocals really pop.
- Hisenior Mega5EST – Very detailed. But super smooth.
- TinHifi Dudu – Sharp highs, kinda fatiguing with R4. Not the best match.
- Sennheiser IE200 – Clean, clear mids. Tight low-end. Vocals sound sweet. Awesome pairing.
- AFUL Performer 7 (P7) – Lush and full. Bass cleaned up by the R4. Makes it more balanced.
- Myer Audio CK2V – Vocals pop. Clean, detailed, and very musical.
- Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete – Wide stage, lots of energy. R4 makes it sound more open and alive.
- Ikko OH10s – Basshead IEM, but R4 helps control it. Vocals and instruments separate better. Good combo for fun sessions.
- Dunu Titan S2 – Rich detail, R4 clears the lows for clarity.
- Artti T10 & T10 Pro – Warm, smooth, R4 balances the treble just right.
- Ucotech RE3 – Neutral and clean, R4 gives it air and micro-detail.
- QOA Mimosa – Lush mids and textured treble; R4 molds them into a refined package
User Experience – Daily Use Feels
So I been using the R4 every day now. And honestly, it just works. Stock Android 12 with HiBys touch is fast, UI feels light. Nothing feels slow or clunky.
The HiBy Music app is packed with stuff, including MSEB tuning, which is better than normal EQ. You can tune how it sounds based on feel, not numbers.
Battery? Solid. Getting around 6-8 hours easy depending on usage. Standby drain? a little bit. And it charges quick.
Used it at home, work, and travel, no heating, no lag. The button lock toggle is a lifesaver when it’s in the pocket. And yeah, the lights, they’re a vibe. Makes it feel like a mini spaceship in your hand.
Comparison with Other DAPs
No Comparison in this price range.
Final Verdict – More Than Just Looks
Honestly, the HiBy R4 isn’t just about looking cool. It’s a real, proper DAP that sounds as good as it looks. For $250, you get awesome build, solid tuning, and tons of usability.
If you want something that’s clean but musical, feels futuristic, and just makes you want to listen more, the R4 is a banger. Whether you’re new to the DAP game or been deep in this hobby, it brings back that excitement in listening.
I highly recommends it!
Happy Listening
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