Introduction
The HiBy Digital M300 is an ultra-portable digital audio player (DAP) that aims to deliver hi-fi sound quality in a compact and affordable package. As the first product from HiBy’s new lifestyle-focused brand, HiBy Digital, the M300 combines modern tech like Bluetooth 5.0 and Android 13 with audiophile-grade components to appeal to both casual listeners and audio enthusiasts.
In this review, I’ll be taking a close look at the design, features, sound quality, and overall value proposition of the M300 to see if it lives up to its promise.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I have not received any form of compensation or incentive to endorse or promote any specific product mentioned in this review. Please note that the individual ratings provided for each product are given in the context of the product’s price.
HiBy Digital M300
Specifications
- Operating System: Android 13
- SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
- Audio Format Support: DSD 256 / PCM 768kHz 32bit
- Audio Outputs: 3.5mm Headphone Output; USB DAC output; Inbuilt loudspeaker
- WiFi: 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz Dual Band support
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Bluetooth Protocols: LDAC/AAC/SBC/aptX
- Wireless Control: HiByLink
- Screen Size: 4.0″
- Screen Type: Hi-res IPS with 5-point multitouch
- Resolution: 1280*640
- RAM: 3GB
- Internal Storage: 32GB
- Storage Expansion: Up to 2TB via microSD card
- Colours: Black, Silver, and Blue
- Body Material: Unibody Aluminium chassis with glass front/back
- Dimensions: 113*58*13mm
- Weight: 136g
- Battery Capacity: 2000mAh
- Uptime Per Full Charge: >29h
- Charging Power Supply: 5V/1.5A
- Max Voltage Swing: 1.81V
- Rated Voltage Swing: 1.4V
- Max Output Power: 103 mW
- Distortion at Optimum Volume: 0.001%
- Dynamic Range: 119 dB
- Noise Floor: 1uV
- SNR: 120dB
- Frequency Response: 20-80kHz
Individual ratings
The aluminum alloy chassis gives it a premium feel despite the low price point. Overall excellent build for the price.
Uses a capable Cirrus Logic DAC chip that can handle hi-res audio up to 24-bit/768kHz. Smooth performance from the Snapdragon 665 chip.
Engaging and musical sound signature, with good bass impact, smooth mids, and non-fatiguing treble. Falls short of premium DAPs but very good for the price.
103mW output is decent but may not fully satisfy power-hungry headphones. Fine for most IEMs.
FM radio, mono speaker, voice recording and Bluetooth give it more versatility than typical audiophile DAPs.
Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC provide excellent wireless connectivity. Wired options more limited to a single 3.5mm jack.
Outstanding battery life, over 20 hours confirmed in testing.
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
The HiBy M300 offers excellent build quality, very good sound, and great battery life at an affordable $199 price point. The smooth, musical sound signature pairs especially well with warmer IEMs. While it falls short of premium DAPs in some areas like power output and wired connectivity, it punches far above its weight overall. The M300 is an incredible value for casual and budding audiophiles, earning it a strong recommendation.
Pros
- compact, durable design
- smooth, enjoyable sound signature
- Excellent format support and microSD expansion
- great battery life
- Modern wireless connectivity
- Advanced Android 13 OS
- HiBy's superb music player app
Cons
- No case is included.
- Single 3.5mm output only
- Limited power for hungry headphones
- Hi-res playback requires an external app.
1. Packaging
- Hiby m300
- Cable
- Paperworks
2. Design And Build Quality
Despite its low $199 price point, the M300 feels anything but cheap. Its sturdy aluminium alloy chassis gives it a premium look and feel, and at just 113 x 58 x 13 mm and 136g, it's highly pocketable. The anodized finish on the black version I tested is both sleek and durable.
The 4" IPS touchscreen display is vibrant and responsive. While small, it's perfectly adequate for navigating tracks and albums. There are physical playback buttons on the side for key functions like volume and skipping tracks. The build quality is excellent overall, especially considering the price.
My only gripe is the lack of a case in the box. With glass panels on both sides, some protection would be wise for a portable DAP.
3. Technology and Decoding Capabilities
Under the hood, the M300 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM—the same chip found in HiBy's flagship DAPs. This gives it smooth performance, whether browsing music locally or streaming from apps.
For audio, it uses a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip capable of playing back high-res files up to 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and DSD256. While it's not a flagship audiophile DAC, it's very competent at this price point. The M300 can drive most IEMs and portable headphones with its 103 mW max power output.
4. Operating System, User Experience and Software Features
The M300 runs the latest Android 13, skinned with HiBy's own user interface. It's highly intuitive and responsive. Streaming services like Tidal are supported out of the box, and you can download additional apps from the Google Play store.
HiBy's excellent native music player app is included. It supports the company's useful MSEB sound adjustment features, like customisable EQ and presets for tweaking the sound signature. It's one of the best stock music apps out there.
5. Sound Quality Of The HiBy M300
Given its budget-friendly aspirations, the M300 delivers very satisfying sound quality, especially with the right pair of IEMs. The overall signature is mildly warm and smooth, with excellent bass extension and impact.
Midrange clarity is good, with a slightly lush presentation that flatters vocals. Treble has polite extension without harshness or sibilance. The soundstage feels moderately spacious for a DAP at this price.
While detail retrieval and instrument separation fall short of premium DAPs, the M300 punches above its class in providing engaging and fatigue-free sound. It particularly pairs well with warmer, bassier earphones to achieve a fun musicality.
6. Unique Features Of The HiBy M300
The M300 sets itself apart from traditional audiophile players by incorporating more mainstream multimedia and connectivity features. It has built-in microphones for voice recordings, an FM radio tuner, and even a mono speaker, so you can play audio out loud.
These extras make it much more versatile as an all-around portable media device compared to DAPs focused solely on music playback. Bluetooth 5.0 with high-quality LDAC codec support also allows wireless streaming.
7. Connectivity
Speaking of wireless, the M300 offers dual-band WiFi and rock-solid Bluetooth connections. I was able to stream Tidal flawlessly over WiFi with no dropouts or lag. LDAC performance over Bluetooth was equally impressive, providing better-than-average sound quality for listening wirelessly.
Wired options are more limited; you only get a single 3.5mm SE headphone jack. Still, it's perfectly adequate for portable use and helps keep dimensions compact. The USB-C port handles charging, data transfer, and digital audio-out duties.
8. Storage and Supported Playback Formats
Onboard storage is 32GB, which is fairly generous. This can be expanded via the microSD card slot up to a massive 2TB, so you'll never run out of space for high-res music and offline playlists.
The M300 supports all major codecs, including FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and DSD256. As mentioned earlier, you'll need a specialised music player app to take full advantage of Hi-Res, but it's nice to have the capability.
9. Power Output and Drivability
Thanks to an efficient amp section, the 103 mW power output is enough to drive most IEMs to loud volumes cleanly. Low noise floor and distortion also help; I encountered zero hiss even with sensitive earphones. As mentioned earlier, power-hungry headphones do better with a dedicated portable amp.
9. Battery Life
HiBy claims up to 29 hours of playback from the 2000 mAh battery. While I didn't quite hit that in testing, I could easily get over 20 hours at moderate volumes—still excellent for a device this compact. The M300 also only takes around 2 hours for a full charge over USB-C.
10. FAQs
Q. Who should buy the HiBy M300?
The M300 is a great fit for:
Beginner audiophiles looking for their first hi-fi DAP
Anyone seeking an affordable player with high-quality sound
Those who prefer a warm, smooth sound signature
Listeners who value Bluetooth connectivity and wireless tech
People needing lots of storage via microSD expansion
Those seeking a compact, pocketable DAP
Android users who want seamless streaming integration
Casual listeners seeking better sound than a smartphone
Q. Who should avoid the HiBy M300?
The M300 may not satisfy:
audiophiles demanding a clinical, neutral sound
Those needing to drive very power-hungry headphones
Users who require balanced output
people wanting a larger screen and UI
Those seeking a premium build and unboxing experience
Q. Does the M300 have a balanced output?
No, the only wired output is a 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack.
Q. Can the M300 drive over-ear headphones?
While it can drive some portable over-ear models, the power output is more suited for IEMs. External amplification may be needed for more demanding headphones.
Q. How do you get high-res audio playback on the M300?
You'll need to use a specialised music app like UAPP or hiby music that supports bit-perfect output. I would recommend using the UAPP as that gives the best output.
Q. Does the M300 have support for wireless charging or NFC?
No, the only connectivity options are Bluetooth, WiFi, and wired USB-C. The battery is charged via USB-C cable only.
Conclusion
The HiBy Digital M300 punches well above its weight, delivering a polished Android experience, hi-fi sound, and modern wireless tech in a petite yet powerful package.
It may lack some features found in pricier audiophile DAPs, but it makes up for it with convenience and versatility. For just $199, it's an incredible value for casual listeners and budding audiophiles alike. The M300 gets a hearty recommendation as an affordable hi-fi player worthy of consideration.
Become an audiophile pro! Master the key terms and discover the secrets of high-fidelity audio. Go to the Answers section to start your learning adventure.
Overall User Rating
Read More Reviews On HiBy M300: Headfonics