The Volume Dilemma
As I was testing the R1, I found that the volume was quite lacking and was only limited to 54 max. I thought this was weird and immediately informed HiBy as this is a pretty major con.
I should preface this by saying that while the volume is adequate for most users (including myself), I know that many audiophiles will nitpick and complain about the lack of headroom of the R1 despite claiming to output 101mW max and 70mW nominal.
I found this particularly problematic because I was already at 37/54 on High Gain on a very easy-to-drive IEM, the Kefine Delci. If this was low gain, I’d understand. But high gain at more than half on an IEM that is ridiculously easy to drive is quite problematic for people who have 0 care for their ears or just want the loudest output possible.
Initially, I was going to make this into a con. However, upon relaying this information, I was informed that this was done due to the IEC 62368-1, and this is explained in the most LAYMAN of terms as the paper is very technical and complicated and limits the base output of audio/visual devices to prevent injury and harm.
However, by fiddling about the settings, I found that by enabling the developer settings and unlocking the volume, you get CONSIDERABLY more output to the point where I couldn’t even get past 50 on low gain with the same Kefine Delci.
The difference is almost night and day when comparing the output of the R1 pre and post-volume unlock. But I also understand why HiBy chose to not disclose this information as most people who listen at a normal level will not find the volume to be a problem and obviously, law.
But if you’re one of the crazy few who likes to go hard at the volume rocker, then know that HiBy still has you covered even in their most affordable DAP to date.
HOW THIS AFFECTS HIBY
If you own a HiBy DAP that was released recently and have upgraded to the latest firmware, you may notice that your HiBy device has been warning you that going beyond 40 volume may damage your hearing. And if you’re anything like me, this served less as a warning and more as a nuisance.
This is due to the same reason why the R1 was volume locked and, in some units, will also be like the R1 where you need to go into the developer setting and untoggled the volume lock.
THE FUTURE OF MUSIC PLAYERS
This doesn’t just affect HiBy DAPs, however. If a brand wants to sell in the EU or China, they have to abide by these regulations.
This means that every DAP that has been in production and will be released in the future will be forced to create these volume restrictions on their devices, whether that’d be HiBy, Shanling, iBasso, or even Sony.
The question to ponder over now is whether this was a good idea in the first place. I’m no sound engineer and I’m definitely not qualified to make rules. But there are just way too many variables at play when creating these audio/visual devices from transducers (the headphones themselves) to the files and software that can affect the output.
I understand that this is for the safety of the consumer, but the consumer has a million other ways to bypass this limitation from using an external DAC with hardware volume to applications that artificially increase the perceived output of the device.
Regardless, that’s how it is not and it’s up to the companies how they can bypass this issue and ensure that the customers get both the safety they need and the power output that they deserve.
Stay tuned for my full review!
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REFERENCES:
How to unlock the volume of the HiBy R1 (and other HiBy devices)
