HiBy Yacht 10 Review

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Bass

The Yacht 10’s bass response sounds like a classic audiophile tuning with a definitive mid-bass characteristic, giving it a pleasant warmth, good texture, and kick. The sub-bass is sufficient, although it is not very impressive. The texture of the mid-bass is the highlight, which works well for Yacht 10’s tuning. 

However, the bass alters with different tips. The foam tips that HiBy supplies work better for a more refined bass balance, whereas the silicone ones elevate the mid-bass to an unnatural level. So I strongly recommend foam tips with this one. 

The sub-bass rumble is almost non-existent, so if you’re considering this IEM, don’t expect too much sub-bass. It’s not fun-oriented. Instead, you have an audiophile-focused tuning with mid-bass definition in the spotlight. 

The bass has good texture and definition, but the impact and rumble are not impressive. The bass is present, but if you’re looking for a more fun tuning, this isn’t the answer. For me, though, this bass tuning is perfect for most music since it represents a reference tuning (with foams).

Midrange

The Yacht 10’s mid-range offers decent resolution and definition, particularly excelling in vocal reproduction. Vocals have a pleasing tone and realism, with female vocals standing out as especially enjoyable. They are nicely layered, clear, and detailed without being too forward or recessed. Overall, the mid-range sounds clean and resolving.

While the mid-range separation, airiness, and layering are adequate, the lower mid-range is a bit diffused, but that effect isn’t too exaggerated, so it’s manageable. Furthermore, as I mentioned in the above bass section, foam tips create a better balance between bass and mid-range, so I strongly recommend using those foams. 

Overall, the Project Ace provides a decent mid-range performance with impressive vocal reproduction, making it a solid choice for listeners who prioritize vocal clarity, mid-range timbre and full-bodied tuning. 

Treble

The Yacht 10’s treble is clean and smooth, offering good enough resolution and definition. The lower and upper treble regions are nicely balanced, and the treble is laid back a little bit. It is notably non-fatiguing and soft, and positioned at the back of the soundstage, which can create a slightly unrealistic experience.

Despite these characteristics, the treble remains clean and articulate, providing a balanced presentation without being too bright. It offers decent detail and articulation but lacks some extension and microdetail retrieval. The overall treble performance is resolving enough but slightly too soft compared to a neutral response.

In summary, the Yacht 10 delivers a respectable treble performance, but it isn’t the most detailed or extended. It provides a clear and articulate sound, making it a solid option for those seeking a balanced yet smooth treble response.

Technical Performance & Synergy

The Yacht 10 is technically a solid IEM, particularly excelling in imaging and resolution. Note weight is very good, and the mid-range has excellent fullness, likely due to the mid-bass response, which is textured and impactful. The overall resolution is good, with the mid-range offering nice transparency, especially in vocals.

The soundstage is decent, providing a surprising amount of width, although depth is not as impressive. Imaging is strong, with good left/right balance, focus, and separation. The resolution and transparency of Yacht 10 are commendable, and it offers a coherent performance, which is one of its strengths.

Pairing the Yacht 10 with neutral sources can help enhance its performance, providing good technicalities without being overly warm and full. It’s very easy to drive, so finding a suitable source should not be an issue.

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