HiBy XENO Review——Mahir Efe Falay

HiBy XENO Review——Mahir Efe Falay

HiBy has taken a bold step forward with the HiBy Xeno, combining its expertise in digital audio from the M300 and USB-C  earphones with innovative solid silicon MEMS technology. The Xeno pairs this cutting-edge MEMS driver with a traditional dynamic driver, offering a hybrid design aimed at delivering both detail and musicality. While the device is still new and the much-anticipated mode-switching feature has yet to be integrated into the  HibyMusic app, this feature promises to allow users to toggle between Hi-Fi Mode, Bass Boost Mode, and Cinema & Gaming Mode in future updates.

HiBy Xeno Sound__

Initial listening impressions with the Xeno, powered by HiBy’s R4, reveal a broad, detailed soundstage, particularly when listening to blues rock in UAPP. The sound presentation is immersive, with excellent realism in live recordings like The Doors – Love Street. The instrument separation, transparency, and tonal accuracy make the experience enjoyable across various genres. Tracks like Fatih Erkoç’s Turkish jazz performances are brought to life with a warm, smooth vocal delivery, while even grunge tracks like Emil Bulls – Smells Like R’n’R showcase Xeno’s ability to handle different musical styles well, though the bass could benefit from further refinement.

The HiBy Xeno impresses across many genres, from rock to hip-hop, but bass-heavy genres like dubstep may leave some wanting more impact without tuning adjustments or deeper-fitting eartips. However, the overall performance remains balanced, with solid decay and impressive detail retrieval. The hybrid driver setup, especially the dynamic driver’s delivery, ensures that necessary bass is present without overpowering the other frequencies, offering a faithful reproduction of recordings that is more suited for audiophiles seeking clarity and balance over sheer bass power.

After all the firmwares so far__

This time, I’m testing the HiBy Xeno with the latest firmware updates. Stock eartips, and the source is HiBy R4. Let’s see how it goes.

– Yellow flash once: HiFi Mode, where users can adjust the PEQ

– Orange flash twice: Dynamic Mode, enhancing bass dynamics

– Purple flash three times: Cinema/Gaming Mode

After selecting the orange flash, I dive into Blues Brothers – B Movie Blues. At first, there’s a crispy layer, but it feels like the sound gets processed in a way that increases realism, as if a Questyle M15i has been added. The tonality is captivating. The trumpet, keyboard, and guitar all sound exactly like they should, with a slightly rough edge that fits the Blues Brothers’ vibe. Moving to Emil Bulls – Smells Like R’n’R, the lyrics are clearly distinct, and that grunge atmosphere shines through—this is the real rawness I expected. It reminds me of the worn-out American blues-rock band members in Blues Brothers.

With Nickelback – Shakin’ Hands, the whole band delivers a performance that surpasses XENO’s price range. The energy is high, the clarity is impressive, and the comfort is spot on. Strangely enough, it feels like it’s performing with the precision of a BA driver—no hit lingers unnecessarily in the air. Technically speaking, I didn’t feel like anything was lacking for a sub-$100 device.

For soft and slow music, Brazzaville – Genoa played through my ears. It’s dynamic, airy, clear, and every note is highlighted. This mode was supposed to enhance the bass, and it seems to have done so elegantly. When I focus, I almost get a monitor-like feel. While the soundstage isn’t excessively wide, let’s be fair—it’s not bad for something under $100.

When I switched to live music, listening to For Whom The Bells Toll from the 2008 Istanbul concert, closing my eyes made me feel like I was back there, sensing the vastness of the stadium. Even without using Divinus Velvet WB, the stage feels slightly elevated. The excitement of the crowd, Hetfield’s introductions, and the electric solos make me say, “This is heavy metal.” Switching to Cinema Mode, Bayside accompanies me, a love from 15 years ago. The playback on XENO is both technically sound and coherent enough to monitor well. The only possible downside is that the bass impact doesn’t hit as hard as I’d like. This is likely due to the eartips, and I’ll include a short section about the Divinus VWB in the review, where we’ll see more.

Lastly, Cafe Anatolia – Bossa For You blends a bit of Anatolian and Greek flavor into Bossa music with an organic feel. It’s cheerful, airy, wide, and rich. The technical improvements I mentioned with the S12 yesterday are also present here. Pressing the earpieces closer to my ears brought out more bass and made the playback more enjoyable. In For Whom The Bells Toll, the playback became much more complete.

On stronger USB-C output DAPs than the R4, it transformed into an anthem capable of delivering eargasm-level experiences.

Slightly more powerful Cayin N7

In my test with the Cayin N7, the difference wasn’t huge—perhaps due to the concert recording or the stock tuning. In other reviews, using the impressive PEQ could lead to entirely different results.

Pros__

– Excellent clarity and transparency across frequencies.

– Versatile sound modes (HiFi, Dynamic, Cinema) to suit different genres and preferences.

– Impressive detail and instrument separation, even in live music settings.

– Good soundstage for its price range, with the potential for further enhancement via tuning.

– Comfortable fit and stock eartips are usable right out of the box.

Cons__

– Bass impact might feel weak for bass-heavy genres without using deeper-insert eartips.

– Requires additional tuning or eartip adjustments to reach its full potential in electronic or bass-centric music.

– No special sound enhancements for dubstep or heavily bass-driven tracks without further adjustments.

Frequency Graph of TDM

HiBy Xeno Review Conclusion

The HiBy Xeno, with its latest firmware updates, brings an impressive blend of cutting-edge technology and a refined audio experience for its price range. Whether you’re diving into blues, rock, or more ambient genres, Xeno manages to deliver a well-balanced, dynamic, and clear sound across various modes. The ability to switch between HiFi, Dynamic, and Cinema modes provides versatility, allowing users to tailor their listening experience based on their preferences.

While the bass impact might not satisfy hardcore bass enthusiasts out of the box, the overall performance is more than satisfactory, especially when paired with suitable eartips. Xeno excels in its clarity, instrument separation, and ability to handle a wide soundstage, making it a strong contender in the sub-$100 category. For those looking for a refined and customizable listening experience, Xeno is a solid choice with room for further enhancement through  software updates and tuning adjustments.

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Hiby Digital Xeno Review (Love’s take)——Chris Love
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