HiBy Yacht 10 Review

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Comparisons

Regarding packaging and accessories, the Yacht 10 offers a more premium experience with additional accessories than the Meze Alba. Both IEMs boast good build quality with metal shells, ensuring durability and a premium feel. Regarding fit and comfort, both are great with low-profile designs and superb ergonomics. 

Sound-wise, the Alba sounds more dynamic and musical, and it is overall the brighter IEM with more clarity. HiBy’s bass performance has better texture and fullness, especially in mid-bass. They both have good soundstages, but the HiBy offering feels a bit larger.

In the treble range, Meze is clearer with a slightly more aggressive approach, whilst the HiBy Yacht 10 sounds smoother with less extension. The Meze Alba punches above the price range, and so does the Yacht 10. As a result, if you like a clearer and brighter IEM, check the Alba. If you like smooth sailing, go for the Yacht 10. 

The previous budget IEM release from HiBy, the Project Ace, has a similar unboxing experience and build quality, and a similar cable. However, the fit of the Yacht 10 is much better and much more comfortable. 

In sound, the Yacht 10 is smoother with no apparent lower-treble boost like the Project Ace. The Yacht 10 is warmer, with a more full-bodied approach with better musicality. It also sounds more cohesive and puts up a better bass performance with better texture and impact. Project Ace is a bit more v-shaped, so the mid-range takes a step back. Treble is brighter in the Project Ace, with a crisper and sharper treble range. The Yacht 10 sounds a bit wider in terms of soundstage. To me the Yacht 10 is a better value for money, since it doesn’t have the tuning problems of the Project Ace, even though it doesn’t have that crisp and bright treble response.

Conclusion

The Yacht 10 represents a reference-type sound at a minuscule price. Its coherency, smoothness, and easy-going, refined tuning set the Yacht 10 apart from similar offerings in this price range. What I usually hear from this price range is either too aggressive or too laid-back, too much bass, too much treble, too much V-shape—the list goes on and on.

The Yacht 10 doesn’t do that. It provides a smooth and fatigue-free listening experience with spot-on tuning. It doesn’t have the wow factor, but it does have refinement and balance, which are both achieved to an excellent degree. 

With the Yacht 10, HiBy shows they’re not in this business only with their DAPs. With their material expertise, they seem to have created a very impressive-looking entry-level IEM that looks and feels great. Not only that, but HiBy has created a very enjoyable and mature-sounding IEM, too. Apart from the sound, the fit and ergonomics are also fantastic.

With this impressive performance, I have to put it on our Best Universal IEMs page. Well deserved. 

Summary

Pros:

• Impressive Design
• Great Material Quality
• Nice Packaging & Accessories
• Linear sound
• Good coherency
• Mid range timbre
• Excellent sound stage

Cons:

• Treble crispness
• Not very transparent
• Some may find the tuning dull and boring