ddHiFi Surface Review – 1DD+4BA IEM Tuned by Moondrop
ddHiFi has come up with an all-new pair of multi-driver hybrid in-ear monitors, the ddHiFi Surface. A five-driver hybrid setup featuring one dynamic driver and quad-balanced armature drivers. The pair features a precisely designed acoustic chamber with physical acoustic tubes and a specially designed frequency crossover board.
Ultimate Craftsmanship
ddHiFi is known for its ultimate level of craftsmanship. From high-quality cables to dedicated DAC/AMPs and adapters, they have shown top-class craftsmanship with their products. The latest ddHiFi Surface has that trusted feeling here as well.
We have solid ear shells that feature a metallic face cover and a 3D-printed transparent inner shell. They have designed a CNC-machined aluminum material socket protection cover. It protects the 2-pin socket on the IEM. The IEM itself looks very clean and premium.
Five-Driver Awesomeness
ddHiFi Surface brings a five-driver hybrid setup on each side. The pair adopts traditional DD+BA architecture featuring one dynamic driver and four balanced armature drivers. The drivers are carefully chosen, and the driver module has an optimized structure from various previous models by Moondrop. Using ddHiFi’s professional tuning philosophy, the pair brings a refreshing auditory experience for its users.
Three-Way Physical+Electronic Crossover
In order to get the best out of each driver here and allow them to produce a coherent sound with ultra-low distortion, ddHiFi has designed the Surface with an electronic+physical crossover design.
This includes a precisely crafted 3D printed acoustic chamber that has three physical acoustic ducts. These ducts are designed with proper calculations to achieve the desired sound response. Secondly, we have a professionally designed electronic crossover board as well.
High-Purity Stock Cable
ddHiFi bundles the Surface IEMs with a high-purity stock cable. The pair comes with ddHiFi’s very own BC120S ($99) cable. This cable has a high-purity, oxygen-free copper with silver-plating wire configuration. It has a 4-strand, cross-braided Litz structure cable with a proper shielded design. It adopts standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and comes with a fixed 4.4mm balanced termination.
Features
- Five-Driver Hybrid Setup.
- 1DD+4BA Driver Configuration.
- Specially Developed Frequency Crossover Circuit Board.
- 3D Printed Front Chamber with Precise Physical Acoustic Ducts.
- Beautiful Looks With Metallic Faceplates.
- CNC Machined Aluminum Two-Pin Socket Cover.
- High-Purity ddHIFi BC120S Cable.
- Standard 4.4mm Balanced Termination.
- High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper Silver-Plated Wire Configuration.
- Litz Braided Structure.
Specifications
- Impedance: 15Ω±15%.
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz~30kHz.
- Sensitivity: 118dB/Vrms.
- THD+N: ≤1%.
- Connector Type: 0.78mm Two-Pin Connectors.
- Termination Plug: 4.4mm Balanced Termination.
- Price: $280
Disclaimer: ddHiFi Surface was kindly provided by ddHiFi for review.
Unboxing
Sound
The sound of the ddHiFi Surface is an enjoyable one with an emotional experience and prominent mid-range. It has a slightly warm tuning with a mid-centric sound, impactful bass, and soft treble. It is an easy-to-like type of sound that has good tonality and timbre in particular. Surface also sounds pretty energetic, with good dynamism and pace. The sound is musical, vivid, and engaging.
Bass
The bass of the ddHiFi Surface is dominated by the sub-bass region, which extends deep and rumbles with authority. The sub-bass has decent impact, texture, and decay, creating an engaging yet controlled sense of impact.
The mid-bass is less prominent but still present enough to provide some warmth, body, and punch to the sound. The bass is not very fast or tight, but rather smooth and organic. It does not bleed into the midrange or overpower the other frequencies.
Specifically, bass lines in funk and rock music are extremely well-textured. I will discuss this further in the review, but the ddHiFi Surface is simply fantastic at playing back string instruments, highlighting infectious strumming or plucking techniques that never fail to amaze me.
The ddHiFi Surface is not a bassy IEM by any means, and listeners more used to V-shaped IEMs may find its bass quantity lacking. But the ddHiFi Surface excels at delivering detailed and satisfying bass, whilst adding some warmth to the overall sound.
Mids
The midrange of the ddHiFi Surface is the highlight of its sound signature, as it showcases its warm mid-centric tuning. The midrange is rich, smooth, and natural, with very good clarity and resolution.
The lower mids are slightly recessed but still have enough presence to give some weight and fullness to male vocals and instruments. The upper mids are more forward but not harsh or shouty, giving female vocals and instruments more sweetness and emotion; however, female vocals do not have the same level of resolution as the male vocals.
However, the real standout is the sheer texture and resolving capabilities of the ddHiFi Surface with string instruments like guitars. I often found myself finding new guitar tracks in complex arrangements that I’ve been listening to for years.
Throughout my testing, I constantly got distracted because I just could not stop listening to 70s rock and funk tracks. The ddHiFi Surface presented their string instruments in a way that I could just not get enough of.
Treble
The treble of the ddHiFi Surface is relaxed and smooth, with no signs of sibilance or harshness. It has enough sparkle and air to keep the sound from sounding dull or dark, but it does not have much extension or detail.
The treble is not very energetic or lively, but rather laid-back and easy-going. It complements the warm midrange and the strong sub-bass, creating a coherent and musical sound. Instruments in the upper treble, such as cymbals, have an average level of resolution but also have a more recessed presentation when compared to the sound of snare drums.
The treble reproduction has a good amount of energy while maintaining a high level of detail and clarity. Even in the highest octave, the treble remains smooth and free from harshness. The definition is very good, and fundamental harmonics are presented with good precision. The extension, however, is another story, and the treble feels limited with evident roll-off. This may not suit trebleheads or those seeking a bright, open, and extended presentation.
Technicalities
I found the ddHiFi Surface to be consistent and dynamic across the frequency spectrum, impressing me with its coherence in particular. The imaging capability is also noteworthy, as it offers a precise sense of image and accurate positioning of instruments.
The staging performance is fairly good for its price, with ample air between instruments due to its spacious presentation. However, the limited bass depth and treble extension can make the sound feel too focused on the mid-range, cramping the stage a bit. Despite this, the Surface still manages to sound spacious with good clarity and instrument separation.
The Surface boasts a robust technical base that delivers a lively performance. Its quick attack and decay, paired with sharp and distinct transients, contribute to its overall agility and rhythmic feel. It excels in managing congestion, even during intricate passages involving multiple instruments. The layering is also nicely executed, although far from perfect.
Sum-Up
I enjoyed ddHiFi’s new Surface, particularly its mid-range and instrument timbre. The package comes with plenty of accessories, and all the materials used are of excellent quality. The build quality is also impressive. It is also compact and fits comfortably.
The ddHiFi Surface is a hybrid IEM that offers a smooth and musical sound with warm mid-centric tuning. It has a strong sub-bass presence, a lush midrange, and a relaxed treble. It is not a perfectly neutral IEM, but rather one that emphasizes vocal emotion and enjoyment over accuracy and detail.
It is also important to highlight its very good playback of string instruments like bass and electric guitars. It does so with texture and resolution that I rarely see even in other pricier IEMS.
Pros
- Good packaging
- Nice fit
- Clean, neat design
- Great mid-range with excellent timbre
- Nice dynamics, resolution, and cohesiveness
Cons
- Rolled-off treble