In this feature, Kurt reviews the ddHiFi Surface, a hybrid single dynamic and 4 BA driver IEM developed in collaboration with MOONDROP. It is currently priced at $279.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank ddHiFi for their support.
You can read about previous ddHiFi products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics here.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read here.
ddHiFi has built its name around compact dongle DACs and high-quality cables, focusing on functional design and clean aesthetics. MOONDROP has become one of the most recognizable IEM brands today, known for its wide range of product offerings across all price points.
The Surface is ddHiFi’s first hybrid IEM and their first collaboration project, bringing together MOONDROP’s manufacturing with ddHiFi’s tuning direction and accessories.
With a three-way crossover and hybrid configuration, can the Surface reach the same level of performance that ddHiFi’s accessories have long been known for?
And how does it compete against the likes of THIEAUDIO’s Hype 2 and the Volume from Softears? I found out in my full review below.
Features
The ddHiFi Surface features a hybrid driver configuration consisting of 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers.
The precise split is a single dynamic driver for the lows, the mids are handled by a pair of balanced armatures, while another pair is for the treble and upper-treble regions.
MOONDROP handled the driver arrangement and tuning based on their experience with past releases. The MOONDROP Blessing 2 shares the same single dynamic, 4BA driver configuration, and three-way crossover structure, making it the closest comparison in their catalog.
What separates the Surface from the Blessing 2 is its use of a dedicated circuit board for the crossover. This physical implementation underwent several revisions to achieve a coherent and technically capable sound profile while keeping musicality in mind.
Design
The Surface uses a metallic faceplate with a muted gray finish and a grid-like pattern etched across it. Its appearance resembles a drafting surface or brushed steel, giving it a clean and precise look without calling too much attention to itself.
The shell is transparent, showing every component inside, from the wiring to the drivers and crossover board. There are no added tints or patterns, keeping the visual focus on the internals and how they’re laid out.
Its nozzle follows a lipless design, a choice more commonly seen on MOONDROP IEMs. While it looks seamless with the rest of the shell, some tips may not grip as securely compared to traditional nozzles with lips.
There’s a single vent found on the underside of the shell, and placed at the edge of the metallic base. It blends well with the rest of the housing and doesn’t interrupt the smooth shape of the IEM.
Both shells are clearly labeled, with “ddHiFi L” printed on the left and “Surface R” on the right near the connector. The text is small but legible, and helps avoid any confusion when setting them up.
The 0.78mm connectors are enclosed in gold-colored rectangular blocks that slightly protrude from the shell. It adds a bit of contrast to the clear body, while still keeping the overall design simple and focused.
Comfort & Isolation
The Surface has a compact shell size, making it suitable for almost all ear shapes. It doesn’t feel bulky and fits naturally without needing any adjustment.
Wearing it for extended periods never caused fatigue, even during long listening sessions. Its size and shape make it an easy pick for casual use or focused sessions alike.
There are no sharp edges or pressure points anywhere on the shell. Each curve feels deliberate, allowing the IEM to rest comfortably without poking or pressing against the ear.
Isolation is above average, enough to drown out soft background noise. However, due to the smaller shell size, some external sound still finds its way in.
It excels as a daily driver for commutes due to its compact and smaller size. Its lower profile design also makes it ideal for lying down or sleeping without any discomfort.
Tips
The included tips come in small, medium, and large sizes, all featuring a gray outer dome paired with a soft purple inner stem. The nozzle opening has a wheel-like pattern that gives it a distinct look compared to more conventional tips.
These are balanced ear tips with a standard-sized bore, offering a neutral presentation that doesn’t elevate or recess any part of the sound. Comfort is the standout feature, thanks to a firm stem that anchors the tip securely while the outer dome moves freely with the ear.
The structure follows a suspended flange design, where the dome is partially detached from the core. This allows the tip to conform naturally to the ear canal without disturbing the IEM’s position or seal.
The silicone feels smooth and powdery, remaining comfortable even after hours of use. It doesn’t build up stickiness or irritation, making it a reliable choice for long sessions without discomfort.
Stock Cable
The Surface comes with ddHiFi’s BC120S, a thick and solidly built cable with a noticeable presence. The thicker-than-average strands follow the structure of ddHiFi’s Nyx series, giving it a more reinforced and durable profile.
It uses a fixed 4.4mm balanced plug without any modular connector options. While this limits flexibility, it’s still more useful than being locked to a 3.5mm termination.
All components are machined from AL6063 aluminum alloy through CNC processing, including the 2-pin connectors, chin slider, splitter, and plug housing. The visual theme sticks to silver and gold finishes, with the text of “Surface” being printed in black on the splitter.
The cable has a fair amount of weight due to its thicker strands and full metal hardware. It tends to pull down slightly when worn upright, making it less ideal for portable or active use.
Handling remains smooth with no tangling, even after wrapping and unwrapping multiple times. The strands hold their shape well and are easy to manage despite the added thickness.
Packaging & Accessories
The Surface comes in a tall, rectangular box with a smooth white matte finish and an anime-style line illustration on the front. The design takes cues from MOONDROP’s signature aesthetic, subtle and clean without feeling overly decorative.
Sliding the outer sleeve upward reveals an inner box with a marble-like texture and the ddHiFi logo printed in gold. The phrase “Life and HiFi” sits below it in small serif text, centered and unintrusive.
Opening the lid reveals a printed card with the same anime artwork found on the outer box. Underneath that, the IEMs and carry case are seated side by side in a black foam cutout.
The IEMs are secured with elastic bands, while the case rests firmly in a matching slot. Inside the case are the BC120S cable and six silicone tips in three sizes, stored cleanly without movement.
A folded spec card with technical information and a small measurement graph is also included. No extra accessories like cleaning tools or pouches are included, keeping the contents focused and minimal.
Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions of the ddHiFi Surface were completed using a mix of the Heartfield R1 and Colorfly CDA-M2 for decoding and amplification.
Bass
The subbass reaches down with good presence but never becomes overbearing. It leans toward control and texture rather than delivering an exaggerated rumble.
Midbass impact is tight and measured, offering enough weight when called for without adding unnecessary punch. There’s no excessive thump or bloom that colors the rest of the signature.
The bass of the ddHiFi Surface comes across clean, with excellent clarity and definition throughout. It avoids any muddiness, keeping the low end separated and well-layered.
While not tailored for bassheads, there’s still enough impact to give music a sense of groove and drive. It’s the kind of tuning that aims for refinement without losing engagement.
Bass guitars and low-end strings come through with a natural tone and solid body. There’s enough weight to give them presence without pushing into the mids or muddying the mix.
Mids
Tonality and timbre on the Surface are a strong point, delivering vocals that sound natural without leaning too warm or too thin. Both male and female vocals are rendered with the right amount of weight and clarity.
Male vocals carry enough body to maintain presence, while female vocals are balanced with no signs of being overly forward or recessed. The mix keeps them right where they need to be without pulling attention away from other elements.
There’s a musical and lifelike character to the vocal presentation that brings tracks to life. It has a lushness to it that feels inviting, almost like a soft embrace around the listener.
The texture is smooth from top to bottom, with no peaks or odd dips disrupting the flow. Everything stays cohesive and centered, never sounding out of place or disjointed.
The entire midrange carries a sense of ease that makes it effortless to listen to. It flows naturally with the rest of the tuning, staying enjoyable without ever drawing too much attention to itself.
Treble
The Surface follows up with strong detail retrieval that brings out a lot of subtle textures in tracks. Things like hand movements across guitar strings, breaths from the vocalist, and small background elements come through with clarity.
There’s zero sibilance or sharpness to be found, and it avoids any form of peaky treble. It stays balanced the entire time, even on tracks that are usually prone to harshness.
Like the mids, the treble here is smooth from start to finish. Nothing ever feels veiled or missing, and there’s no sense of the upper end being held back.
There’s also a good amount of air that gives the treble space to breathe. Cymbals and hi-hats have the room to shimmer and decay naturally without sounding thin or overdone.
Despite that, the highs never overpower the rest of the mix. Everything works in balance, keeping the mids and lows fully intact while letting the treble do its job.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage of the Surface stretches comfortably past the ears, offering an above-average width. It doesn’t feel overly spacious, but it avoids sounding intimate or closed-in.
There’s some depth to the stage, letting instruments sit slightly in front or behind the listener. While it lacks vertical height, it never feels compressed or boxed in.
Imaging is precise, making it easy to pick out the location of instruments, vocals, and background sounds. Each element stays where it should without overlapping or getting lost.
Separation is excellent, keeping the presentation clean even during busy tracks. Layering and resolution help maintain clarity without smearing or congestion.
Notes have a slightly lingering character, with a more relaxed decay. Its dynamics are solid and controlled, but don’t come off as especially punchy or energetic
Notes have a natural decay that leans slightly on the relaxed side. The dynamics are well-handled, offering enough contrast for musical shifts, but never coming across as aggressive or highly energetic.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
