ddHiFi Memory Review – Semi-In-Ear Planar – The Perfect On-The-Go Companion
Memory is a pair of in-ear earphones designed with a semi-in-ear fit. It features a side-firing sound tube paired with ear tips, making it a hybrid between in-ear and semi-in-ear styles. Despite housing a 13mm planar driver, its ultra-compact design ensures comfortable wear, even for users with smaller ears.
“Memory” combines vintage aesthetics and modern precision engineering. The CNC-machined AL6063 aerospace aluminum shell houses a state-of-the-art planar driver, offering the sonic richness of analog gear with the convenience of digital technology. The sound tuning, supported by DSP and analog integrity, brings out smooth yet detailed treble, warm mids, and punchy bass—designed for nostalgic souls with modern ears.
Moondrop’s 13mm Ultra-Linear Planar Driver
Moondrop’s innovative proprietary driver combines the strengths of traditional planar magnetic drivers and dynamic drivers. With 10x higher electroacoustic efficiency than conventional planar drivers, it delivers a wide dynamic range, even at low power. Its total harmonic distortion remains below 0.05% across all frequencies, promising high resolution and ultra-low distortion.
Built-In DAC
The earphones’ USB-C plug is compatible with iOS/Android smartphones, tablets, and computers. It features a built-in professional CS43198 DAC/amp chip, supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz lossless decoding. The cable also features a microphone with inline remote controls for making calls, recording, playing music, and pausing functions.
The base of the USB plug features a ring-shaped LED indicator. Blue indicates standby mode, green indicates PCM decoding mode, and red indicates Native DSD output.
ddHiFi Tuning and Custom Cable
The high-resolution decoding plug paired with the high-efficiency planar driver aims to deliver a vintage-inspired sound signature. Beyond digital tuning via DSP technology, ddHiFi has specially developed a shielded cable for the Memory earphones.
The main cable employs a triple-strand braid (with one strand dedicated to the microphone/inline controls). At the same time, the left and right channel wires pass uninterrupted through the inline remote control without any soldered breaks, extending all the way to the earphones’ full-metal chambers where they are hermetically sealed.
A Fusion of Retro and Modern
The reason why early-generation products are fondly remembered lies in their timeless designs. However, retro-inspired products in the modern era are far from mere replicas. ddHiFi combines precision engineering, enhanced ergonomics, and durable materials to reinterpret these classics for a new age.
Inspired by classic cassette players, the ultra-compact case included in the package blends vintage aesthetics with modern colors. Made of premium synthetic leather and YKK zippers, its dual-compartment design keeps the metal earbuds separated to prevent scratches.
Specs
| Driver | 13 mm Planar | ||
| Plug | USB-C for smartphones and devices | ||
| DAC Chip | CS43198 independent decoding | ||
| PCM Decoding | Up to 32-bit/384 kHz | ||
| DSD Decoding | Up to native DSD256 | ||
| Effective Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | ||
| Housing | CNC AL6063 | ||
| Cable | Reinforced braided 5N OCC wire | ||
In The Box
- 1 x DDHiFi E13P
- 1 x Size S ST35 Ear Tips (Pre-installed)
- 1 x CZ120 Storage Case
- KIWIFLEX Eartips (S / M / L) ×3 Pairs
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Warranty Card
Disclaimer: The ddHiFi Memory was kindly provided by ddHiFi for review.
Sound
The ddHiFi Memory comes with a tuning that fairly offers a neutral sound with subtle boosts to the bass and treble. Its exceptional resolution sets it apart, with each instrument and vocal occupying its own space. I’d call the overall tonality neutral; the midrange sounds natural and organic, while the treble has an accurate timbre but has a forward presentation.
Lows
The ddHiFi Memory delivers solid sub-bass and mid-bass performance with good impact and texture, especially for a planar magnetic earphone in this price range.
Kick drums and various instruments in the sub-bass range produce impacts that create a chest-thumping feeling, maintaining a tight and well-defined texture. Electric bass riffs found in Pop-Rock songs possess a rich, heavy tonality that surrounds the entire track while minimizing interference with the mid-bass and mid-range.
Percussive instruments within the mid-bass range possess a naturally resonant tonality that delivers a profound and precise impact. This quality is especially evident in well-produced acoustic recordings, where the ddHiFi Memory can skillfully articulate the nuances between hits on the same Tom drum.
Coming from a mix of more neutral and V-shaped IEMs, I appreciated how the balance between delivering bass that creates a good sense of excitement and maintaining tonal balance was achieved. This combination of solid yet non-overbearing bass prevents the sound from muddying up the more intricate tones in the mids.
Mids
The midrange presentation of the ddHiFi Memory is slightly recessed in comparison to the bass and treble frequencies. Vocals are expressed clearly and articulately, capturing the emotional essence typical of neutral IEMs. Female vocals are rendered with a commendable level of detail and provide a satisfying degree of impact.
Instruments like electric guitars and acoustic strings have good note weight. The ddHiFi Memory also does well with separating instruments even in complex arrangements. In tracks with layered background vocals or multiple midrange instruments, notes shine, showing more than an average of definition and clarity.
Instruments such as acoustic guitars and vocals are delivered with excellent fidelity and prominence. The expansive soundstage establishes a feeling of separation between the listener and the instruments, resulting in a perception of a roomy presentation.
I enjoyed listening to modern female pop music on the ddHiFi Memory, despite its recessed vocal presentation. The vocal energy was enough for me to enjoy the vocal portions, while the emphasized bass and treble regions contributed to an exciting soundscape that I preferred.
Treble
High-frequency instruments like cymbals and synthesizers are showcased with clarity and vibrancy, without sounding harsh. The cymbals possess an ideal balance of energy and brilliance that adds a sense of openness to the music, while also offering sufficient resolution to distinguish between strikes from various cymbals.
In electric string instruments that are more balladic and higher-pitched, a pleasing energy and texture are displayed without becoming excessively sharp.
In contemporary Pop music, higher-frequency synthesizers are showcased prominently, diverting focus from mid-range vocals; nonetheless, they achieve this with excellent clarity while ensuring a non-fatiguing experience.
The focus on treble, along with the robust bass, provides the ddHiFi Memory with a lively and captivating sound that is especially suited for genres such as Pop and Rock, where a dynamic and impactful sound is essential for a pleasurable listening experience.
Technicalities
The imaging performance of the ddHiFi Memory was outstanding, particularly in the midrange. Even in intricate pop songs, the ddHiFi Memory showcased layers of string instruments and vocal tracks like shining stars.
Bass and treble instruments demonstrate a commendable level of imaging performance. In rock tracks, I could position the various drums and cymbals behind me during the fill-in sections. The instruments within the bass and treble ranges are easily located and recognizable.
The soundstage of the ddHiFi Memory is notably expansive, yet it does not cover a complete 360 degrees.
Sum-Up
To be honest, I can’t find any weak spot in the ddHiFi Memory. The craftsmanship is top-notch, as always when it comes to ddHiFi products. The sound quality is easy to love, a perfect all-rounder sound performance for a perfect on-the-go earphone like this. And I’m in love with the quality of the cable too, just the way I like it, soft, easy to handle, and feels great in the hand.
I also surprisingly liked the semi-in-ear design, it makes it much easier to put on and take off the earphones, just as it should be when you are on the go—a big thumbs up to ddHiFi for another great product.