I can’t see this being a better option than The Hiby R4.
Not great specs , BT 4.0, Small Battery, Slow charging low power output
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Looks smaller. I don’t like the R4’s size, or Android as the DAP OS. That’s 2 advantages for anyone with the same preferences 
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I just want to know if it’s halfway decent and has zero lag in USB DAC mode because no android, and if so, I know a couple people that would love a convenient do it all device for traveling. Me included.
My use case for a music player is:
- As portable as possible
- Mostly used as a BT receiver
- Does a great job of local playback when required
Android is overkill for that,
- Uses more battery
- Takes a LOT longer to boot, non Android is ready to play in a few seconds. This is a big one for me
- Security nuisances if I have a Google account associated then I need to be serious with lock screens and Android versions etc. I know people can side load etc and account isn’t necessary
- usually more cumbersome / takes several interface interactions just to get to a BT receiver connection, non Android ones can switch to a robust connection a second or two after boot if it’s the last way the player was used, and often have a dedicated interface button for that mode
- worse standby time
- more distraction customizing interface / removing services / side loading
I’d rather use a cut down OS specific to music playing than an outdated version of an OS designed for much more
It’s use case specific. Anyone wanting to stream from a given app or several apps will clearly prefer Android. I just prefer to stream on my phone and transmit over BT, or listen locally altogether
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Do you guys think Sony will release a new flagship IEM to replace/over take IER-Z1R?
it seems they’re being phased out so is it the end of Sony releasing high-end IEM’s or are they getting ready to drop a bomb?
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I’m not sure which device you are using these days, but I find my M1 Plus to sound better in DAP mode than in BT receiver mode. If BT is the main use case, a dedicated BT amp is probably best.
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I didn’t notice a difference between the modes tbh, the M1 Plus was great as a receiver but for even smaller size seeing as that’s how I mostly use it the M0 Pro has been perfect
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Usually, you can get answers to questions like these by looking through patents filed by the company. I’m no expert and definitely don’t know all the places to look for patents. In general, you could potentially discover product/technologies before their release.
For example, I found it interesting that both Sony and Yamaha have patents for electrostatic speakers.
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I would be interested in new releases from Sony. Sadly the consumer market drives more and more so its hard to say. I would really like it if the configurations and tech they developed were made cheaper for more budget minded folks as well. Thats just me personally though.
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I agree with your point. Sony was a killer in our industry. Their headphones like the MDR-F1 (1997 IINM), MDR-SA5000 (2004), and flagship Q010-MDR1 (2004), were nuts. Full magnesium construction (from my understanding), and look at that open-baffle design. And they didn’t cost an arm and a leg; MDR-F1 retailed for $300, which is equivalent to $600 in today’s money. The flagship Qualia went for ¥250000, which is equivalent to ¥284705 in today’s money.
We are not only missing the innovation that once was present in the industry (companies competing who can innovate more), but also, as you pointed out, such products being offered for an affordable price. I don’t know the business side of the market today, but neither do I know how it was back then. Who knows, maybe those companies operated at a loss?
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This is the timeline afaik.
IEMS:
2008:
Sony XB90EX (16mm DD)
2011:
Sony MDR-EX1000 (16mm LCP DD), FLAGSHIP)
Sony MDR-EX800st/MDR-7550 (16mm Multi Layer DD)
Sony MDR-EX600 (16mm Multi Layer DD)
2012:
Sony XBA-1 (BA full-range)
Sony XBA-10 (BA full-range)
Sony XBA-2 (2 BA full-range + woofer)
Sony XBA-3 (3 BA full-range + woofer + tweeter)
Sony XBA-4 (4 BA full-range + tweeter + woofer + super woofer),
2013:
Sony XBA-H1 (9mm DD + BA (full-range))
Sony XBA-H2 (13.5mm LCP DD + BA (full-range))
Sony XBA-H3 (16mm LCP DD + 2 BA (full-range + super tweeter))
2014:
Sony XBA-A1 (9mm DD + BA (full-range))
Sony XBA-A2 (12mm LCP DD + 2 BA (full-range + super tweeter))
Sony XBA-A3 (16mm Aluminum-coated LCP DD + 2 BA (full-range + super tweeter))
Sony XBA-Z5 (16mm Aluminum-coated LCP DD + 2 BA (full-range + super tweeter), FLAGSHIP)
Sony XBA-100 (BA, full-range)
Just Ear Listening/Monitor/Club Sound (13.5mm DD (woofer) + BA (Sonion 2356, tweeter), CIEM, Prototype?)
2015:
Sony XBA-300 (3 BA (full-range + woofer + super tweeter)
Just Ear XJE-MH1 (13.5mm DD (woofer) + BA (tweeter), CIEM)
Just Ear XJE-MH2 (13.5mm DD (woofer) + BA (tweeter), CIEM)
2017:
Sony WF-1000X (6mm DD, TWS)
2016:
Sony XBA-N1 (9mm DD + BA (super-tweeter))
Sony XBA-N3 (9mm LCP DD + BA (super-tweeter))
2018:
Sony IER-M7 (4 BA (2 full-range + woofer + tweeter))
Sony IER-M7 (5 BA(2 full-range + woofer + tweeter + super tweeter))
Sony IER-Z1R (2 DD (12mm Aluminum-coated LCP full-range + 5mm super tweeter) + BA (tweeter)
2019:
Sony WF-1000XM3 (6mm DD, TWS)
2020:
Just Ear XJE-MH/nZk (13.5mm DD (woofer) + BA (tweeter), CIEM, Hiroyuki Sawano LIMITED EDITION)
2021:
Sony WF-1000XM4 (6mm DD, TWS)
2023:
Sony WF-1000XM5 (8.4mm DD, TWS)
They are definitely way overdue for a new refresh.
Definitely not, the cost of the hardware itself is never expensive.
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question is if the over due is a stepping out of the game or if they’re gonna come swinging soon. I mean also research wise you would think that developing the high end stuff would be the way forward for the consumer stuff. they build BA’s in-house and almost dont release anything, peak sony… cant even be bothered naming their stuff something you’re capable of telling your friend the name of.
I think they stepped out of the iem world tbh. They still make new hps after all but no new (wired) iems in 6 years now…
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leaning that way. the passed 6 years have been a golden age for IEMs and think the hobby is bigger than ever. they missed out.
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Hiby r4 is more expensive. I think it’s trying to compete with the m1 plus, m300, jm21. Will be curious to see how it reviews.
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Very interesting driver setup, looks like an isobaric dual DD that is aligned coaxialy with another DD.
That “four-way” crossover claim looks wrong or they just summed up from both sides. As there should functionally only be 2 drivers here each side.
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Can I ask why?
I like that I have more software options on Android, but beyond that I don’t really care.
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They explained here.
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This is a reply I gave about it:
For me the instant boot is essential.
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I like the janky Hiby Linux-OS stuff cuz there’s no goddamn need for google maps on my music box LOL
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