ddHifi Melody IEM

A Compact Planar Precision Meets USB-C Convenience

The ddHifi Memory is a uniquely positioned IEM that blends some of the best of micro planar magnetic technology with the convenience of USB-C connectivity. At $169.99, it offers an impressive combination of premium materials, advanced audio technology, and excellent sound tuning that makes it stand out in its price bracket.

But does the ddHifi Memory hit the right tune for you? Let’s find out in this review.

Having listened to the Memory for a number of weeks now, I think I have enough of an idea of the pros and cons of this IEM to share my opinion.

While I loved the JM-1 inspired sound signature, for me personally, the comfort and fit were not great with this IEM, it is designed for smaller ears than mine, and with the default eartips it would occasionally fall out. This was not helped by the cable being designed to work like an earbud cable and hang down rather than wrap around my ears.

On the other hand, my wife absolutely loved everything about the Memory. From the sound, to the comfort (she has small ears and is not a fan of larger IEM shells) and even the convenience of the USB-C connection as she just uses her smartphone to listen to music.

So, it might be the perfect IEM for her and I imagine for lots of people. But before I say any more, let’s get into the unboxing and build quality.

Unboxing and Build Quality

The unboxing experience of the ddHifi Memory sets a premium tone from the start. The packaging is well-designed and protective, reflecting the care put into the product.

The back of the box provides detailed specifications, giving you a clear idea of what to expect:

Removing the outer packaging reveals the inside box:

Opening the box reveals the accessory box, a specification sheet, and the carry case:

Opening this box reveals the carry case:

One of the most impressive aspects of the Memory package is the carrying case.

I think it has a retro cassette player vibe. It’s made of premium synthetic leather with high-quality YKK zippers, adding a touch of luxury to the overall experience.

The dual-compartment design is particularly thoughtful, keeping the metal earbuds separated to prevent scratches:

The build quality of the Memory is exceptional. The IEM shells are constructed from CNC AL6063 aerospace aluminium, giving them a substantial, yet lightweight feel.

The premium materials you would expect from a ddHifi product are immediately clear when you hold them.

While the quality of the material used of the cable feels premium and durable, it does tangle too easily for my liking and I would have preferred a different material to be used.

The USB-C connector is of high quality and should withstand daily use:

The microphone button on the cable should give you an idea of the quality of the construction:

The Memory comes with only a few eartips, at $170 I feel ddHifi could have included more eartips, especially since the IEM is so small it can be hard to get a good fit if (like me) you have a larger ear canal:

Fit and Comfort

The ddHifi Memory features a semi-in-ear design with a side-firing nozzle, making it a hybrid a sort of hibrid between in-ear and semi-in-ear styles. Despite housing a 13mm planar driver, its ultra-compact design aims to ensure comfortable wear even for users with smaller ears.

It’s worth noting that the Memory has a fixed cable (cannot be removed), and that cable mostly needs to hang down. You would have to swap sides to allow the IEM cable to be wrapped around your ears but since the cable cannot be removed you would be listening to the channels backwards should you do this:

The fit is where my personal experience with the Memory diverges slightly. While the sound quality is excellent once I got a fit (and I used some larger eartips to keep it stable in my ears). So, the size and comfort to be somewhat challenging with my larger ears. The IEMs would occasionally fall out too easily during use.

However, this is highly subjective – my wife, who has much smaller ears and typically dislikes larger IEM shells like those on the KiwiEars KE4, absolutely loved the Memory. The size and angle worked perfectly with her ear anatomy, making it her new favorite IEM.

This experience highlights the importance of fit when it comes to IEMs – what works perfectly for one person may not be ideal for another, regardless of sound quality.

Features and Performance

The ddHifi Memory comes packed with impressive technical features that set it apart from many competitors in its price range:

• 13mm Ultra-Linear Planar Driver: This driver combines the strengths of traditional planar magnetic and dynamic drivers. With 10x higher electroacoustic efficiency than conventional planar drivers, it delivers wide dynamic range even at low power. Its total harmonic distortion (THD) remains below 0.05% across all frequencies, ensuring high resolution and ultra-low distortion.

• Built-in DAC: The earphone’s 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 and native DSD256 playback.

• Smart Indicator: The base of the USB plug features a ring-shaped LED indicator that changes color based on the mode:

  • Blue: Standby mode
  • Green: PCM decoding mode
  • Red: Native DSD output

• Inline Controls: The cable includes a microphone and inline remote controls for calls, recording, music playback, and pause functions.

The Memory’s custom cable design is particularly noteworthy. Beyond digital tuning via DSP technology, ddHifi has specially developed a shielded cable for these earphones. The main cable employs a triple-strand braid (with one strand dedicated to the microphone/inline controls), while 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.

It’s important to note that for DSD decoding, native DSD playback may produce noise when switching formats in certain apps. In such cases, ddHifi recommends setting the DSD output mode to PCM.

Sound Impressions

The tuning of the Memory is excellent – the ddHifi team has done an exceptional job providing an IEM with laser-focused JM-1 tuning that becomes immediately evident in the frequency response graphs.

Bass

The bass response of the Memory is controlled and precise, showcasing the capabilities of its planar driver. It has less bass than both the KiwiEars KE4 or the Truthear Pure, so this is definitely not an IEM for bass heads. However, for those who find those IEMs a little too bass-heavy, the Memory strikes a nice balance, providing just enough low-end presence without overwhelming the rest of the frequency spectrum.

The bass is tight, with good impact, and for a JM-1 like tuning there is minimal bleed into the midrange, allowing for excellent separation between frequency ranges.

Midrange

The midrange is where the Memory truly shines. Vocals are presented with exceptional clarity and detail, sitting perfectly in the mix without being too forward or recessed. Both male and female vocals sound natural and emotionally engaging.

Instruments in the midrange are reproduced with excellent timbre and texture. Acoustic guitars, pianos, and string instruments all sound realistic with proper weight and resonance. The midrange resolution is impressive for an IEM at this price point.

Treble

The treble presentation is well-extended without becoming harsh or fatiguing. There’s enough sparkle to provide air and detail to cymbals and high-pitched instruments, but the treble never becomes piercing or sibilant.

The high-frequency response contributes to the overall sense of detail and clarity without drawing undue attention to itself – a sign of well-implemented treble tuning.

Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage of the Memory is surprisingly good for an IEM with this form factor. While not the widest in its class, it provides adequate space for instruments and vocals to breathe. The imaging is precise, allowing for good placement of sound sources within the soundstage.

The combination of the planar driver technology and careful tuning results in excellent instrument separation and layering, making complex musical passages easy to follow and enjoy.

Specifications and Measurements

• Driver Configuration: 13mm Planar Driver
• Plug: USB-C for smartphones and devices
• DAC Chip: CS43198 independent decoding
• PCM Decoding Support: Up to 32bit/384kHz
• DSD Decoding Support: Up to native DSD256
• Effective Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• In-line Controls: Calls, recording, music play/pause
• Housing Process: CNC AL6063 aerospace aluminum
• Main Cable: Reinforced braided 5N OCC wire

Frequency Response

The frequency response graphs confirm the excellent JM-1 tuning:

Comparisons

Compared to the KiwiEars KE4 and Truthear Pure, both of which I really like, the Memory offers a more neutral tuning with less bass emphasis. Every other aspect of the sound signature is excellent, making it a compelling alternative for those who prefer a more balanced presentation.

You can clearly see the more neutral bass response of the Memory:

For listeners who prioritize accuracy and detail over bass impact, the Memory will likely be the preferred option among these three IEMs.

Distortion Measurements

The distortion measurements confirm ddHifi’s claims about the high performance of their planar driver technology:

Looking at distortion as a percentage shows impressively low figures across the frequency spectrum:

Rating

I’ve given the ddHifi Memory a pragmatic rating of 4 stars. While the sound quality would easily earn it a perfect score, I had to factor in the fit and comfort challenges I personally experienced. The size and the way it fits in my ears were the primary reasons for dropping the rating from 5 to 4 stars.

However, it’s important to emphasise that this is highly subjective – as evidenced by my wife’s completely different experience with the same IEM. For users with smaller ears, this might easily be a 5/5 product.

The Memory is ideal for:

• Listeners who prefer a neutral, detailed sound signature
• Users who prioritize build quality and premium materials
• Those with smaller ears who struggle with larger IEM shells
• People who value the convenience of direct USB-C connectivity
• Audiophiles looking for planar magnetic technology in a portable form factor

Conclusion

The ddHifi Memory represents a nice achievement in IEM design, successfully integrating planar magnetic driver technology with USB-C connectivity in a compact form factor. Its sound quality is exceptional, with a well-balanced, detailed presentation that will appeal to audiophiles seeking something more studio reference like than bass boosted.

The mostly premium build quality, innovative design choices, and excellent accessories (particularly the standout carrying case) add significant value to the package. At $169.99, it offers compelling performance and features that compare favorably with many higher-priced alternatives. My only complaints are the cable tangles a little too easily and the eartip selection is poor.

For users with smaller ears especially, the Memory might just be the perfect combination of sound quality, comfort, and convenience they’ve been searching for and will definitely hit the right note for many people.