Ever since most smartphones removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, I used dongles to enjoy music with my wired earphones until I bought an Android Digital Audio Player (DAP).
While I enjoy the convenience of wireless TWS earbuds, they lack the audio quality I need for critical listening, even when using LDAC or aptX HD.
So, like every audio enthusiast, I wanted to explore other options that would elevate my audio experience.
Switching to the HiBy R4 for music was the best decision I made
Come for the audio, stay for Android
My first step was to use dongle accessories, like a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), to enjoy high-fidelity lossless audio on my phone.
However, using USB dongles comes with caveats that one realizes only after heavy use; the first being rapid battery drainage.
The second major problem I’ve faced is my smartphone’s USB-C port deteriorating over time and getting damaged because of frequent disconnections. I faced the same problem with my USB-C earbuds.
After exhausting all options, I decided to invest in a dedicated music player that could deliver high-fidelity audio, run all of my streaming apps, and be somewhat portable.
I bought the HiBy R4 after weighing all my options. There are plenty of DAPs to choose from, but for my requirements, the R4 made the most sense.
I needed a device that would let me do critical listening without distractions. My phone constantly receives work-related notifications that divert my attention during an engrossed listening session.
After being frustrated with this haphazard experience for a few months, it made sense to get a dedicated music player that would let me enjoy my library and stream new music.
The first nifty feature that grabbed my attention was Pure Audio mode, which turns off the Android launcher and background processes.
Pure Audio mode checked two boxes for me: getting rid of all annoying notifications and conserving battery life.
The R4 can output from both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs, which is ideal for my Moondrop Aria 2 as it supports both connectors and other IEMs.
The R4’s ES9018C2M DAC chips make music sound like a dream, and, in my opinion, a great chipset for listening to lossless Hi-Fi audio.
It might not be a big deal for many users, but I’m not really a fan of Android’s Sample Rate Conversion (SRC), and the R4’s chips solved that problem by bypassing it.
I can fine-tune my audio experience further by using the device’s MSEB feature. I can alter the soundstage, warmth, bass intensity, and other variables, which are applied at the system level and not to a specific app.
What’s neat is that I could save the aforementioned settings for every unique In-Ear Monitor (IEM) I own and save it as a profile.
I have over 15 IEMs in my collection, and after tuning the MSEB for each wired earphone, I load up the profile and use any IEM I’m in the mood for.
There are plenty of traditional digital audio players to dabble with, but for me, having Android was a necessity, as I’ve subscribed to most audio streaming platforms and needed that flexibility.
The R4 was the perfect Android device to disconnect me from the world. It has a robust Android OS filled with features, but it also lets me completely deactivate it.
The HiBy R4 runs on Android 12, which is more than enough to run Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other apps from the Play Store.
You can download almost every app from the Play Store that supports Android 12, but since I wanted the R4 to be an audio device, I only downloaded audio-related apps.
I prefer Apple Music and, recently, Spotify for critical listening because they support lossless Hi-Fi audio. However, when I want to do some casual listening or discover new music via the algorithm, I tend to use YouTube Music.
I’ve also installed a 1TB microSD card (supports up to 2TB) that stores all downloads from the aforementioned apps for offline listening, as well as FLAC files from music I’ve ripped from CDs.
The HiBy R4 has a Bluetooth receiving mode and can act as a wireless DAC/AMP for home audio setups.
This setup lets me focus only on the music, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s also a physical function switch in the upper-right corner that can be mapped in the settings to trigger a certain action.
Since the R4 has physical playback buttons, I’ve mapped the switch to disable them to prevent any accidental presses, but you could also map it to suspend the Android launcher.
Finally, I took advantage of the Play Store. I downloaded my favorite radio streaming apps like SomaFM and utility apps like Syncthing-Fork to sync downloaded music between my R4 and PC.
The HiBy R4 has some drawbacks
It isn’t as portable as I thought
The HiBy R4 has a really cool Cyberpunk-inspired design that is boxy and has aggressive edges. But this design choice works against the device when it comes to portability.
It’s bulky and heavy, which isn’t exactly easy to wield like a smartphone. The R4 comes with a fabric lanyard that lets me attach it to my waist. But it still isn’t easy to carry around and isn’t recommended for physical activities or long commutes.
While the Class A amplification is great for the audio experience, the device gets quite warm when listening for a long duration via the 4.4mm jack. This also causes the battery life to take a hit, so I generally stick to the 3.5mm jack.
The HiBy R4 costs $269, which is a great price considering everything it offers. But if you’re looking for something more portable that you can take on a run, you’re better off getting Sony’s Walkman or similar Android DAP offerings by FiiO that are lighter to carry.
Why an Android DAP belongs in my pocket
The HiBy R4 made me cherish listening to music again, making me realize how many distractions my phone had.
While using DAC accessories is a great way to get started, having a dedicated Android music player lets me focus on music more than ever and makes it very hard to go back to my phone.
The HiBy R4 did a great job of transporting me back to my childhood and teenage years, when I enjoyed music on a Discman with incredible music quality. I couldn’t be more grateful that purpose-built Android devices like the R4 exist.
