At this time, we’re reviewing the HiBy Digital Xeno, a dual-DAC, dual-driver IEM that prices $139.
Disclaimer: HiBy despatched us the brand new HiBy Digital Xeno for this assessment. Nonetheless, all ideas and experiences with the product are my very own.
HiBy is a enterprise enterprise that researches, develops, and markets high-quality transportable audio merchandise. The group has knowledgeable R&D workforce and a commendable observe file within the transportable audio business.
HiBy Digital is the corporate’s aspect model, focusing extra on day by day expertise. Its merchandise enchantment extra to the mass market, with way of life merchandise that influence day by day routines. The primary product from this model was the M300 DAP.
Moreover, HiBy is famend for creating software program that allows music playback on cellphones and digital audio gamers (DAPs). It’s a longtime producer of transportable music gamers and produces digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) and in-ear displays (IEMs). Our publication has performed quite a few opinions of HiBy merchandise, which could be accessed here.
Notably, the high-end R8 II is featured beneath:
HiBy Digital Xeno
The Xeno Digital is Hiby’s new IEM, specializing in sound conversion from its personal DAC chips and DSP settings. Nonetheless, driver expertise can also be noteworthy, together with utilizing xMems driver expertise. This driver kind appears to be more and more related within the IEM market. I suppose we’ll see many extra IEMs with these drivers in 2025-26.
One other characteristic of the Xeno is its twin DAC system. This lets you bypass the SRC of cellphones and instantly use the Xeno with bit-perfect playback. The DAC helps as much as DSD128 and PCM 384kHz. The Xeno’s rivers are a full-range 10mm graphene dynamic driver and an all-new xMEMS ‘Cowell’ solid-state tweeter. The cable is a silver-plated copper USB-C.
Packaging, Design, Construct, Utilization
I obtained the Xeno with out packaging, because it was one of many earlier models. Nonetheless, the included equipment are a small leather-based case and ear ideas. I obtained nothing else. The included ideas are low high quality and don’t match effectively, which I’ll point out shortly.
The unit’s design is straightforward, that includes a stable black background. Its solely outstanding facet is the small rectangle housing the DACs and the operational button controls. The amount could be adjusted utilizing the “+” and “-“ buttons. The “O” button switches between the Xeno’s three tuning modes, whereas the ▷” button manages play and pause throughout music playback.
The unit’s construct high quality isn’t inspiring, as all the things is plastic. The IEM housings are constructed from 3D processing, the controller models are completely plastic, and the cable is coated with cloth. After all, the cable is mounted and would possibly fail over a very long time, however the connection to the IEM feels stable sufficient.
The controller’s operation is straightforward, however the complicated factor is that the quantity up & down buttons don’t work if you press and maintain them. That perform is for skipping or returning the songs. You have to repeatedly press the quantity buttons to crank or cut back the quantity stage. The amount ranges are tiny, which suggests there may be a number of button urgent, which is counterintuitive.
Match
One of many Xeno’s most problematic points is its match. The included ear ideas are horrible, and the nozzles aren’t deep sufficient to supply a flush match. Carrying the earphones seems like there’s no isolation from the skin world.
Utilizing aftermarket ideas is one of the simplest ways to enhance the scenario. Nonetheless, because of the form of the earpieces, attaining match remains to be tough, and I solely managed to get seal with Comply foams.
Sound Basic
Hiby Xeno has three tuning modes: flat, bass-boosted, and cinema/gaming. For music listening, the flat mode offers probably the most balanced presentation. In that mode, the Xeno has a congested, “digital” sound that doesn’t really feel pure. Though it has promising qualities for the long run, its present state isn’t groundbreaking but.
In flat mode, the Xeno sounds heat within the mid-bass, barely veiled within the mid-range with good tonality, and smoothed out within the treble. The treble feels spacious, however it doesn’t lengthen fairly effectively. The mid-bass focus feels heat, creating a satisfying tonality, and the sub-bass rumble is sweet sufficient for films and gaming. I discovered the dynamic and film tunings unusable, because the flat setting offers the one listenable profile by way of music playback.
After all, you need to use PMEQ and a number of other DSP settings with Xeno, however that doesn’t save the digital feeling and the congested staging it creates.
The article continues on the second web page with the half on Sound. Click here or use the jumps beneath.
Page 1 – Intro, Packaging, Design, Build, Fit, Sound General
Page 2 – More on Sound, Conclusion
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