u/BlindKurve

Focus these days are on the R3 Pro II, but I've always wanted a decent DAP with a dial/knob that has some pedigree & at the time I bought this, the Hiby R3 II 2025 was a smidge sub $100 USD, a lot lower in price than the alternatives (S1 plus & ap80 pro max). It's pretty darn good, especially with MSEB, I'm EQ illiterate but it's very easy to understand and use for me. As for the headphone, the JT3 isn't mentioned often, but considering it's default sound, it's quite good on my ears, with a bit of MSEB tuning and it's perfectly fun, clear and comfy to use. The cable was a local custom in 2019, carried over from my now gone he400 & Elear.

Previous issue thread saw ME suddenly having a line on my Hiby R3 II's screen. I've received the replacement (a red one that was previously out of stock) and the new one works hunky dory so far. Now I checked the photos from when I got the defective unit and the new one and it had differences.

The matte cover for the screen protector on the 1st was clear, actually usable without removal. The 2nd is black, only the text can transmit light and it's opaque. I'd think that the red was more recent with the more pro looking cover but it shipped with firmware v1.1, the black came in at v1.2, also the knob on the 1st one was a bit wobbly but isn't too bad, the red though seems to have a tighter knob, it doesn't wobble much. The boxes and content are the same. The differences are really odd but hopefully I don't ever see a stupid line on my screen moving forward.

I've had the Hiby R3 II for less than a month (28 days to date) and it suddenly had a blue line on the side this Tuesday (28 July), I've reset it on and off several times so it's not some software/firmware glitch. I haven't dropped or slammed it, babied it like crazy and only used it on the bed. Other than the sudden screen line, I had no complaints as it worked fine, sounded great, had wonderful battery life and I even took out the screen cover for the protector as I decided it was a keeper.

I did talk to the seller and since it's still under warranty, they said they'd replace it. They told me to buy a new one and return the broken one in the new order after receiving it (I'm guessing it beats me sending my defective unit back out of pocket, waiting for their receipt and either they replace the screen or outright replace the unit and send it to me).

Anyone else experienced having lines on their unit, even if it's not the r3 ii? Did your seller give you problems or solutions?

Ever since I started listening to DAPs, I've always wanted one with a knob, for many reasons through the years, I only got my first knobbed DAP yesterday, a Hiby R3 ii 2025. I had a few choices prior but ended up with the Hiby for price ($99 USD) and overall pros (better battery life vs the rest granted sound quality as equal in the price range). The main competition I wracked my brain on was the Shanling M1 plus as it had a nice knob (and not easy to accidentally nudge) compared to the Hiby, supposedly better UI and software/firmware. But the biggest issue I had was the price difference, M1 plus was $40+ more, for a thicker unit with a smaller screen, less playback time but better knob, UI, bigger power output (which isn't a big deal as I use IEMs most of the time).

Given how I've read about the raised issues with the R3 ii, I haven't removed the screen stickers in case I need to return it (the return arrow still works even if I can't see it lol). Some of the hardware issues I've read was about the knob, mine is a little wobbly if I try to push it around but hasn't fallen out 😅 and is responsive to volume adjustments and presses (so far). I haven't encountered any sudden freezing and rebooting so far in the 12 some hours I've played it (7 hours continuously yesterday, 5 so far today) - in that time too from 100% battery to 78% now, it's pretty thrifty power consumption wise. I'm using a Sandisk 128gb card that's a little over half full I use in my other players so I know it's issue free. I'm guessing the laggy menu feedback is with the non 2025 unit as my scrolling and menu use was alright, the OG R3 ii used an Ingenic x1000 (vs in the 2025 that uses an Ingenic x1600e which is faster but not as fast as the one in the Shanling that uses an Ingenic x2000). Bluetooth issues I haven't tried finding out as I'm not a frequent user of it (I only have a few wireless headphone es tws IEMs).

One issue I've encountered so far is after I pause playback (either from the open screen pause screen or the play/pause hardware button) and come back after a few minutes to continue playing, pressing the hardware play/pause does nothing, same with skip forward/back buttons. I'd have to turn on the screen before the buttons work again to control the music.

So far it's been great sounding especially since mseb let's me have more slam on my IEMs without eq hardship/fiddling, power efficiency is good at around 10% battery power for 5 hours of use at 40% volume high gain using my ArtMagic VG4.