HiBy sells two very different digital audio players at two very different price points, and it is easy to assume the pricier one is simply “better” across the board. Having spent real time with both the R3 Pro II and the R4, that is not quite how it plays out — the R4 wins on DAC complexity and tuning depth, while the R3 Pro II wins on battery life and value.
DAC architecture: the headline difference
This is where the two players genuinely part ways. The R3 Pro II uses a dual CS43198 DAC setup paired with four OPA1622 amp chips — a proven, efficient combination that HiBy has refined across several generations. The R4 goes a different route entirely with a quad-DAC configuration built from four ES9018C2M chips, a notably more elaborate architecture that supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD256, versus the R3 Pro II’s 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 ceiling.
In practical terms, the R4’s quad-DAC layout gives it more headroom for balanced output: up to 525mW of Class A amplification compared to the R3 Pro II’s 480mW at 32ohm. Whether that translates into an audibly “better” listen depends heavily on your headphones, but it is the clearest technical distinction between the two players and the main reason the R4 costs more.
Software and system-wide EQ tools
Both players run on HiBy’s own software layer, but the R4 includes something the R3 Pro II does not: system-wide MSEB (Mango Sound Enhancement Bundle) and PEQ tuning tools that work outside the HiBy Music app itself. That means EQ and tone shaping can apply across whatever app you are streaming from, not just HiBy’s own player. It is a genuine differentiator for anyone who splits listening time between a local library and a streaming app.
The R3 Pro II’s software runs on the newer, upgraded X1600E SoC, which reviewers at Headfonics noted feels noticeably snappier and more stable on WiFi than older HiBy players. So while the R4 has the deeper tuning toolkit, the R3 Pro II arguably has the smoother day-to-day interface experience.
Battery, size, and price
The R3 Pro II packs a 4000mAh battery rated for 21+ hours of playback, while the R4’s 4500mAh cell is rated closer to 10 hours — a big gap that comes down to the R4’s more power-hungry quad-DAC hardware and larger display. The R4 does offset some of that with PD2.0 fast charging up to 20W, so top-ups are quick even if you need them more often.
On price, the R3 Pro II sits at $199 while the R4 runs about $250. For a lot of casual listeners, that $50 difference plus roughly double the battery life makes the R3 Pro II the easier recommendation. For anyone chasing the most elaborate DAC hardware and tuning flexibility HiBy currently offers at this tier, the R4 is worth the premium.
Side-by-side spec comparison
| Spec | HiBy R3 Pro II | HiBy R4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $250 |
| DAC | Dual CS43198 | Quad ES9018C2M |
| Amp stage | 4x OPA1622, 480mW @32ohm | Up to 525mW Class A |
| PCM/DSD | 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 | 32-bit/768kHz, DSD256 |
| SoC | X1600E | Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM/storage | — | 3GB/32GB, Android 12 |
| Battery | 4000mAh, 21+ hours | 4500mAh, ~10 hours, PD2.0 fast charge |
| System-wide EQ | No | Yes, MSEB and PEQ outside the music app |
| Dimensions/weight | 86.9×60.6×21.6mm, 160g | Larger, heavier build |
Build, display, and handling
Pick either one up cold and you can feel where the extra money on the R4 goes. It is a noticeably larger, heavier device with a bigger 4.7″ Sharp LCD panel running at 720×1280, which makes browsing folders, adjusting MSEB curves, or reading track metadata far more comfortable than squinting at the R3 Pro II’s smaller screen. HiBy also added an LED strip along the top edge of the R4 that lights up to show sample rate or charging status at a glance, a small touch that reviewers at Headfonics called out specifically in their writeup.
The R3 Pro II counters with a more pocketable footprint and that distinctive Ultrasuede or matte glass rear panel option, which feels better suited to being carried around all day rather than set on a desk. Neither one is uncomfortable to hold, but if you plan to use the player mostly at a desk or paired with a DAC/amp stack at home, the R4’s larger screen becomes a bigger advantage than it would on a strictly on-the-go device.
Both run Qualcomm silicon under the hood — the R3 Pro II’s X1600E versus the R4’s Snapdragon 665 — and in day-to-day navigation the difference is mostly in how each company’s software layer feels rather than raw horsepower. Impressions gathered from Moonstar Reviews and owner threads on Head-Fi both describe the R4’s UI as capable but noticeably busier than HiBy’s leaner R3 Pro II experience, which tracks with what I found switching between the two over a few weeks.
Which one should you buy
Neither player is the wrong choice, they are just built for different priorities:
- Pick the R3 Pro II if battery life, a lower price, and a slightly more polished day-to-day interface matter most to you.
- Pick the R4 if you want the most technically elaborate DAC hardware HiBy offers at this tier, along with system-wide EQ tools you can apply across any app.
I found myself reaching for the R3 Pro II on longer travel days simply because I did not want to think about charging, while the R4 came out when I wanted to sit down and actually tune a specific pair of headphones with MSEB.
Frequently asked questions
Is the R4’s quad-DAC setup actually better than the R3 Pro II’s dual DAC?
It is more elaborate and offers a higher PCM ceiling and more output power, but “better” ultimately depends on your headphones and whether you can hear the difference; both are capable performers for the price.
Does the R3 Pro II support any EQ tools at all?
Yes, EQ is available inside the HiBy Music app, but it does not extend system-wide to other apps the way the R4’s MSEB and PEQ tools do.
Which has better battery life?
The R3 Pro II, by a wide margin — roughly 21+ hours versus about 10 hours on the R4.
Is the R4 worth the extra $50?
If system-wide EQ tuning and the more elaborate DAC architecture matter to you, yes; if you mainly want a reliable, long-lasting everyday player, the R3 Pro II is the more practical buy.
Between the two, I have ended up recommending the R3 Pro II more often to friends just getting into higher-fidelity portable audio, simply because it asks less of you day to day.