The word XENO is a Greek word for foreign, exotic or alien. The model name for this unit truly fits its description on how this set is quite unique in the audio market.
HIBY is one of the audio companies that offers a diversifying portfolio of audio products in the audio market from affordable IEM earphones up to the premium DAPs. It is also noted that HiBy is also known for being innovative by implementing some new audio technologies on their every product release.
What I have here right now is their latest product and this one is quite a unique set. This is HIBY XENO, it has a dual driver technology inside with a hifi DAC chip for each driver to give a better crossover to achieve that detailed full range sound quality.
What makes this set quite so unique was the implementation of a Cowell MEMS speaker driver from XMEMs along with a 10mm dynamic driver with a graphene diaphragm. MEMS are miniaturised fabricated devices which have electromechanical components which is an essential part of modern technologies from automobiles up to wearable devices like digital watches and medical monitoring sensors, and as MEMS technology keeps progressing, it develop some new audio technology like solid-state MEMs speaker driver in which is more responsive and minimises any possible phase shifting issues. As for the dynamic driver with a graphene material, graphenes are a type of nanomaterials known for its thinnest with excellent tensile strength for better vibration control that will provide a solid and full range sound with better resolution.
Aside from the drivers, HIBY also implemented two different hi-fi DAC ICs for each driver due to their different frequency properties and HiBy was able to achieve it as this set produces a cohesive sound quality. These two hi-fi DAC chips are ESS ES9018C2M and Cirrus Logic CS43131, and both ICs are proven and tested for excellent audio processing capabilities and they work in tandem to decode high resolution audio up to 32-bit 384kHz on PCM format and DSD128 on DSD format.
The drivers were encapsulated in a 3D-moulded resin shell chassis with an acoustic cavity structure for each driver in an aluminium alloy material to lessened vibrations from acoustic waves. The shell sizes are quite compact that make this set a versatile one in terms of fitting and comfort to all ear sizes as it offers a good passive noise isolation that blocks unwanted external noises.
While it doesn't have a detachable cable feature, HIBY uses a silver-plated copper cable with fabric-like sheathing insulator for better audio signal transmission on digital audio connection. On its termination, it uses a USB TYPE-C which is a more standard digital audio connection on modern mobile devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets.
The HIBY XENO has a console panel with four directional button controls for play/pause, volume up, volume down and tonal presets. The tonal presets mode will correspond via blinks of its LED light; these are Flat or user defined mode for a single blink, Dynamic mode for double blinking and Gaming/Cinema mode for three blinks. Take note that these settings will not work on DSD MODE. The volume control of this one has finer increments on how it corresponds with its loudness level.
Aside from button controls, it has a built-in high definition omnidirectional MEMS microphone capable of supporting incoming calls and recording.
Since this one is a sample review unit, this set has basic inclusions like silicone ear tips and a PU-leather pouch for storage.
To analyse its tonal profile, since this set has three tonal presets and each of its presets have a distinctive sound signature that makes this set truly a versatile one for both critical and casual listening.
FLAT MODE - it has a balanced-neutral sound signature.
DYNAMIC MODE - it has a more u-shaped sound signature with more noticeable emphasis on the low frequency.
GAMING/CINEMATIC MODE - it has a V-shaped signature but it gives that sort of wider sound/speaker stage feel.
I will conduct testing on this unit with HiBy Music App on my mobile phones without using any EQs.
LOWS/BASS:
FLAT MODE
The bass response of this one is rather tight and precise with a noticeable rumble on its sub bass and with enough mid-bass texture. This tuning mode will give a cleaner bass quality on how it delivers a good separation from other frequency ranges.
DYNAMIC MODE
It has a more pronounced bass response as it sounds more punchy, impactful and fuller compared to the FLAT MODE but at the expense of mid bass bleeding. This setting focuses more on mid bass presence for better note weight on bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals as bass guitars and double basses will sound more weighty and broad while bass kick drums sounds full and sonorous, and then on both bass and bass-baritone vocals, they have this dusky and dense sounding voices.
GAMING/CINEMATIC MODE
Compared to the DYNAMIC MODE, it has a less mid-bass texture but it still has a sufficient texture unlike the FLAT MODE. It still retains a punchy and tactile bass response but apparently it delivers a more incisive bass quality. It affects the sound characteristics on bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals like the bass guitars and double basses will sound more resonant yet mellow, bass kick drums sounds more sustaining a bit hollow, and male vocals like bass and bass-baritones will sound less deep, less darker but retains some resonant sound on them.
MIDRANGE:
FLAT MODE
The midrange presentation of one is definitely a neutral, linear, well-balanced and very transparent sounding as both male and female vocals sound natural without unnecessary colouration on their respective tonal characteristics. Same as instruments as they sound faithfully as it was intended on the recording. This type of tuning will be likely more suited on studio recordings and mastering.
DYNAMIC MODE
This midrange presentation of this setting is noticeably more recessed but the mid bass smearing adds more warmth and texture for full and rich sound on most male vocals and instruments like brasses and percussions. On male vocals, baritones have lush and warm voices while tenors have brassy but less spicy voices and countertenors have smooth and plush sound which I think isn't the exact tonal colour that I'm hearing. Female contraltos have rich and heft with their chesty vocals which really give more engaging sound and then on instruments, brasses like trumpets, trombones and horns correspondingly sounds fuller, overpowering and muffled. On percussion, snare drums slam harder but less brighter, tom-toms sound too warm and resonant and field drums sound dark and booming.
GAMING/CINEMATIC MODE
Apparently, the midrange presentation of this one seems a bit leaner in texture compared to the DYNAMIC MODE but it sounds more energetic, clearer and transparent. As it lessens the warmth that affects the volume and tonal colour of male vocals and instruments particularly brasses, some female vocals and instruments like woodwinds and strings will sound more crisper and a tad more gleaming. On female vocals, mezzo-sopranos sound fiery while sopranos have silvery and metallic vocals on them. Woodwinds like concert flutes, piccolos, clarinets and saxophone, they sound bright, brilliant, shrill and reedy respectively, and as for string instruments, acoustic guitars sound bright, violins have a lively and metallic sound, and then, cellos sound more vibrant. Pianos on this setting sound brighter with some tininess tone on it.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
FLAT MODE
The treble response of this setting appears to be neutral and smooth as it doesn't sound dark or too bright. There's no hint of harshness nor sibilance on this one but still can deliver a good definition on vocals and treble-clef instruments and It has a relatively airy presence on its brilliance section.
DYNAMIC MODE
The treble quality on this one is that it sounds smooth and inoffensive to the point that treble heads might consider it a bit dark and muffled sounding to their liking. Harshness and sibilance will be an out of question as how the upper mids up to the presence treble region was evened and smoothen but I noticed that quantity of the treble air is rather modest in my opinion. In some instruments, cymbals have a rather dark and dry sounding in my opinion while glockenspiels sound too lustrous as it actually reminds me more of a marimba and then, the celestas sound too rounder and warmer in my opinion that it should have a bright sound with longer resonance.
GAMING/CINEMATIC MODE
Compared to the two previous setting modes, the upper-mids and presence part of this one is noticeably accentuated as it has more definition and clarity for vocals and attack of instruments. In that regard, the treble response of this setting is a tad brighter and it somehow retains the airy extension quantity of the FLAT MODE. Cymbals have a sizzling sound while glockenspiels sound brilliant and glistening, and then, celestas have a shimmering and golden sound.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
FLAT MODE
In this mode, it projects a moderately spacious sound field dimensions as it has an above-average lateral span on its width, good height and depth. It presents a concave-like stereo presentation in a decently layered soundscape in which I can decently pinpoint the exact positions of specific vocals and instruments. This set is also quite resolving on both macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics as the former has a solidity and depth on its compression of its note weight and the latter can extract some micro-details and other nuances in a sonic background.
DYNAMIC MODE
It appears that the perceived sound/speaker stage of this one is a tad narrower as that width and height were a bit reduced but somehow, it adds more depth. While it has the same stereo imaging projection like the FLAT MODE, it somehow affects the layering aspect of this one as it sounds a bit less disorganised that I'm sort of struggling to pinpoint the placements of vocals and instruments. On resolution capability, while it lessened the proficiency its micro-detail retrieval but it gives more definition on macro-dynamics
GAMING/CINEMATIC MODE
Due to elevation on the upper-mids and presence of the treble region, it gives that illusion that the sound/speaker stage of this setting mode projects a tad wider and better height to give that roomy head room in my aural perception. It appears that it has a similar stereo imaging presentation with the FLAT MODE but I just noticed that it's more resolving on resolution capability.
As I conclude my review of this model, this set is indeed quite a unique one and this is the first that I've experienced the sound quality that was produced by a recently developed driver technology which is a MEMS-based speaker driver. The MEMS truly shows its capability and versatility that HIBY was able to utilise its full potential with its proven track record for being an innovative audio company. While the HIBY XENO is a rather new concept that some audio enthusiasts might be hesitant at first instance due to the unusual digital connector which is a USB Type-C as they are more accustomed with analogue 3.5mm single ended, but if they ever test this one, the sound quality speaks for itself on how it performs. I hope that HIBY will implement the MEMS driver to their future standard IEM earphones.
HIBY XENO is now available at HIBY Official Store, check out the link below that I have provided for those who are interested to try it out.
LINK: https://store.hiby.com/products/hibydigitalxeno?srsltid=AfmBOooIAwZzFIJyedxlcmlHMQeYYyjeEUCDMKRctYLQA9nAOgmzEOSS
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: HIBY XENO
IMPEDANCE: Unspecified
SENSITIVITY: 116dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: **NON-DETACHABLE**
PLUG TYPE: USB TYPE-C
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER, (1) MEMS SPEAKER DRIVER
Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to HIBY nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to MR. JOSEPH YEUNG for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
