A Casual's Review of the HiBy x Faudio - Project Ace IEMs

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Disclaimer: Please note that I am not an audiophile, and this review does not delve into the technical aspects of the IEMs. My impressions are based on my personal preferences.

This unit is part of a review tour by the Mindanao Audio Club. All opinions of the unit will always be my own and will remain independent.

You can purchase the HiBy x Faudio Project Ace on the Hiby website.

Pros

  • Balanced-neutral tuning with good clarity
  • Above-average soundstage that feels open and spacious
  • Very good comfort (for those whose ears it fits)
  • No ear pressure thanks to proper venting

Cons

  • Treble can get sibilant / fatiguing if you’re sensitive
  • Slightly confusing modular connector at first
  • Shell shape may not fit everyone
  • Not ideal for long treble-heavy listening sessions

What's in the box

  • The Project Ace IEM shells
  • Stock 2-pin modular cable
  • 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors
  • Storage Case
  • 6 pairs of eartips (3 silicon and 3 foam, all in S, M, and L sizes)
  • Cleaning brush
  • Documentation 
 
Impressions

General Impressions

  • I had a bit of a confusion with the modular plug connection at first; turns out you need to align the silver accent designs on both connectors to attach correctly.
  • The shell shape looks tricky but actually fits very well in my ears with no discomfort. Might not be the case for all ears.
  • No ear pressure buildup during long sessions due to pressure vents present on the earpieces
  • The included eartips are surprisingly comfortable since most stock tips usually make my ears itch.
Sound Impressions
  • Tuning: This set is Neutral-ish with a slight push in upper frequencies. It’s going for clarity and detail rather than warmth.
  • Bass: Controlled and clean. Not a basshead set; no chest slam or sub-bass rumble party, but the presence is enough to feel balanced. It doesn’t bleed into the mids. More refined than fun.
  • Mids: Vocals are clear and crisp, but the upper mids can get spicy. On tracks or singers with naturally strong “s” and “sh” tones, the sibilance can get pretty sharp. Slight volume adjustment and tip rolling helps a lot.
  • Treble: Bright and sparkly. Definitely energetic. If your ears are used to treble forward sets, you’ll probably love the clarity. If you're treble-sensitive (like me), long sessions can get a bit harsh after a while.
  • Technicalities: Soundstage is above average, with a good sense of height and width. It feels fairly open. Imaging accuracy is respectable and good enough to track instruments and sounds.
  • Gaming: I used these for a few Overwatch 2 comp matches. The wide soundstage made it easy to track footsteps and positional cues. Definitely viable for gaming, not the absolute best, but clearly above many “music-first” IEMs.
Gear Used
  • Snowsky Echo Mini
  • Xiaomi 13T + Letshuoer DT03
  • ifi Nano iDSD LE 
 
Final Thoughts

The Hiby x FAudio Project Ace is a clean, detailed, treble-forward IEM that aims for clarity and openness rather than warmth or slam. If you lean toward brighter signatures and love vocal clarity and soundstage, this set will likely click for you.

But if you’re sensitive to treble or prefer relaxed / cozy / warm tunings, be prepared: this thing can get sharp.

Overall, it’s well-built, comfortable (if it fits you), and delivers a spacious listening experience, just not a set for everyone.

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