Pro to the Max!
PROS: smooth analog performance of dual ES9039MS Pro flagship DACs, big expanded soundstage, solid build with mesmerizing back panel design, fast Android 12 performance (665 SoC, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM), MQA 16x, DSD1024 and PCM768kHz support, hi-res 5.9” screen, 3.5mm/4.4mm PO and LO with a powerful BAL output, quality protective case.
Intro.
Unlike some other manufacturers with only three main DAP models covering the entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi levels, Hiby’s line-up of DAPs expands further in each of these tiers with various models, some even updated annually. It could become a bit overwhelming due to so many choices. However, some might also find it helpful depending on your budget which lets you narrow it down to what you are looking for and decide if you are willing to move up in features and sound quality to the next model for a reasonable upgrade fee. At least that’s how I interpret their current DAP products portfolio.
I also have to admit that in the last few years, I have focused more on Hiby’s flagship DAPs and missed some of their lower-tier releases. But it was hard to miss hearing about their R6 Pro II from two years ago which received a lot of positive feedback even from those audiophiles who only focus on top flagship gear. I didn’t get a chance to test the R6 Pro II, but when Hiby recently announced the new model in the R6 Pro series, the R6 Pro Max, my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to check it out. In addition to it, I also got a chance to borrow the original R6 Pro II for comparison.
After spending a month testing this latest Hiby DAP, I would like to share what I have found with my readers.
Sound Analysis.
Another thing I noticed in quite a few IEM pair-ups was the enhancement of the bass punch and texture, coming through with more weight and authority. At the other end of the spectrum, the pair-up with Pro Max helped to relax the treble, taking an edge off any brighter frequency peaks. Pro Max also added more body to the sound, making it smoother. I didn’t find it to be a revealing or micro-detailed source, but rather being smooth and musical, pairing up better with neutrally tuned or more revealing earphones and headphones rather than warmer-tuned ones. But despite a smoother tuning, I do hear a relatively dark background which helps with retrieval of details, popping out of the blackness with a cleaner on/off transition of the notes. Also, surprising to its almost tube-like tuning, the sound didn’t feel compressed, instead, the vertical dynamics were quite expanded.
The soundstage expansion is wide and spacious, while the imaging and sound placement varies depending on the pair-up, in some cases being a bit more center-focused while others being more holographic. I hear Pro Max as not trying to exaggerate the width of the sound or making the sound placement too holographic. Instead, it stayed true to the original technical performance of each IEM and the headphones I tested it with. Also, I found Pro Max to have a better synergy with IEMs rather than full-size headphones which could be related to its max Vrms BAL output and my use of harder-to-drive cans. For more demanding headphones, you will need R8ii and RS8 with its Turbo boosted out.
Wired and wireless connections.
Besides being a portable DAP, you can expand Pro Max functionality as a transport to drive an external DAC/amp, to use external AMP, or to turn the DAP into a wired/wireless usb DAC. And of course, you don’t have to be limited to wired headphones and can take advantage of a Wireless Bluetooth connection.
Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
MEZE Audio Empyrean
Beyerdynamic T5p 2nd
IEMs
Aroma Jewel w/FT
Privacy Settings
Empire Ears Odin
FirAudio RN6
UM Maven II Cresent
Vision Ears VE10
Wireless/Bluetooth
USB Audio Out
USB DAC
Coax out
Line Out
Conclusion.
As I mentioned in the intro, unlike some other manufacturers with only one latest model covering each of the entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi level players, Hiby gives you more choices in each category. If money is no object, some audiophiles go for the most expensive flagship, though I’m a big fan of R8ii that priced below RS8. Also, when it comes to flagship releases, some people try to justify the jump in price considering diminishing returns. Entry level might be cutting too many corners, thus mid-fi gets more attention from audiophiles who are looking for the best price/performance ratio DAPs.
From their mid-fi DAP selection, Hiby’s R6 III has been already refreshed in 2025, and R6 Pro II had its spotlight almost 2 years ago, though it still holds plenty of relevance. Now, here comes the R6 Pro Max and I’m sure many were wondering if this is going to be an upgrade to Pro II or a supercharged version of it. From the outside, it does look like a maximized version of Pro II, very similar in the design, just thicker due to a bigger battery as I suspect. Under its hood, the system has been supercharged with new flagship ESS DACs, more RAM/ROM, a higher capacity battery, and a higher BAL output power. But the sound performance change is on a whole different level.
As I mentioned in my sound analysis, while Pro II had a more traditional neutral tuning with punchier sound, Pro Max tuning went in a different direction with a smoother fuller-body musical tonality, almost reminding me a bit of a tube sound quality. And that was not only due to a different DAC, switching from AKM to ESS SABRE but also due to an updated internal amplifier section design. When listening to Pro Max, I hear a more laidback analog sound quality which captures the emotions of the sound while Pro II has a faster, more neutral, and more revealing tonality which helps you analyze the sound. One is not necessarily an upgrade of the other, they have a complementary tuning which I enjoyed in both!
.....
