In this review, we take a look at the ddHiFi Janus3 (E2023), the third version of the brand’s dynamic IEM, available for $129,99 USD, or $149 combined with their latest cable/DAC, the ddHiFi M120B (E2023S).
Disclaimer: the ddHifi Janus3 was sent to us, free of charge, by the brand in exchange for our honest opinion. You can find them on their AliExpress, or your nearest dealer, it’s up to you.
Founded in 2017, by Demond Ding, a former member of FiiO and Oppo, ddHiFi has become more and more popular over time, thanks to their extensive range of devices such as : cables, adapter, travel cases dongle-sized DAC, and even earphones. So much so that today the brand can take pride in being supported by a community as solid as it is enthusiastic – and for good reason!
The company motto?
“To use concise and brief design language to make user-friendly accessory products, abandon any decorative design that is irrelevant to practical usage and pay more attention to product material and craftsmanship details with cost-controlled”
Or in simple terms: good products, at the right price – chi-fi if you were to shorten it even more.
And, so far, ddHiFi succeeded in its task, delivering months after months, delightfully geeky stuff like the TC35Pro Eye2/Mountain 2 – a super-small USB DAC – or adapters like the TC28i / TC28i Pro – a life-saver for iOS users who hasn’t switched for the new iPhone 15 – and even high-end cables, able to compete with the likes of AudioQuest, or Effect Audio, for a much more affordable price.
An almost flawless picture, marred only by one slight faux pas: its earphone, the Janus. Not fundamentally bad, the latter unfortunately couldn’t boast the same level as other ddHiFi creations in one critical aspect – the sound – despite their great ergonomics and design.
But today, we are of getting our hand on the new ddHiFi Janus3 (E2023B), advertised as the ultimate version of the brand’s craftmanship, with true audiophile performances.
Is it now? Let’s find it out.
Like many Chi-Fi brands, ddHiFi can be quite prolific, which is both a blessing, and a curse. Fortunately, the catalogue is easily understandable, thanks to clear lettering… most of the time!
Designed as replacements for the notoriously bad headphone adapters embedded with smartphones, the ddHiFi TC35i (and USB-C version, the TC35B) offers various improvements compared to them. Full aluminum body ensuring enhanced sturdiness and parasite protections, higher-grade DAC and SoC, all topped with real high-resolution file decoding.
Sure, it won’t beat a real USB DAC, but on the go, and for someone that doesn’t need more than a good DAC – with microphone support – the TC35i/B shall be the right solutions:
“Sound quality is good, build quality outstanding and the minimal conception make them the perfect companion on the go.
It won’t replace your Dragonfly, Eagle or Hi-mDAC, if you’re seeking true audiophile experience on the go. But, if like me you’re searching for a device to leave permanently in your bag, so you can up your game without being cumbersome, ddHiFi’s solutions are a good way to go. Even more, if you can get both, to cover all your devices.”*
Full review here:
Branded as ddHiFi’s mid-range DAC, the TC35PRO is, as announced in the name, an enhanced version of the TC35. Packed with a Cirrus-logic CS43131 DAC , this model offers a substantial increase of power and refinement over its “non-pro” counterpart, and even comes in two different design : the Mountain 2, with a docked design; and the Eye 2 with a dongle design.
Sonically, it’s one of my favorite devices in the sub-$100 range. Not the best in terms of technicality, but one of the most versatile, allowing me to connect either one of my easy-to-drive IEM – without any hiss – or more eager cans like my Meze 109 Pro. Bonus point, it comes in two different format. Here’s a quick excerpt of the review:
All in all, the ddHiFi TC35Pro models are a stellar addition to the brand’s catalog, fitting nicely below the TC44 series but above the “tiny” TC35C/i, pushing dongle-mania even further. The build quality is flawless, performances are head and shoulders above the stock DAC of my phone, and it even tickles the fancy of much larger models […] Once again, the perfect on-the-go dongle for anyone in search of a real improvement in a pocket-sized device that won’t break the bank.
Full review here:
Probably the second best addition to the TCxx series, the ddHiFi TC44Pro E2 is a full-featured DAC/AMP, retaining almost the same smartphone’s dongle size, seen on the TC35Pro Eye 2, but with a beefier circuit and… a 4.4mm Pentaconn output.
Inside, the brand put a dual set of Cirrus-Logic chip (CS43131), paired with the corresponding set of ES9603Q amp chips, ensuring better performances with full 32bit/384kHz PCM decoding and Native 256 DSD support. Output power was quadrupled (up to 250mW @32ohm) thanks to the balanced output.
A lovely device, as I stated in my review:
“All in all, the ddHiFi TC44Pro E2 feels like a solid improvement of an already powerful formula, fitting nicely above the TC44A and replacing the previous TC44C as ddHiFi top of the range. The build quality is flawless, performances are head and shoulders above the stock DAC of my phone, and it even tickles the fancy of much larger models.
Full review here :
Third of its kind, the ddHiFi Janus 3 is the brand’s own take on developing their dynamic driver IEM, following their usual principles: good sound, quirky design, fair price. And while the first generation outlined the principle of dual-socket, straight-down/over-the-ear wearing, it missed one crucial feature: remarkable sound.
Luckily, the Janus2 came as a fixture, offering significant improvement on that regard. Here’s an excerpt of that review:
“The ddHiFi E2020B combines a clever build with real design prowess and a little bit of quirkiness. But, most of all, these IEMs are a real sonic upgrade, compared to the previous Janus
The sound quality is excellent, with a slight v-shape and exquisite mediums. Once paired with a small DAC like the Sparrow or even ddHiFi’s own dongles, the difference between the old and new model came clear as the day.“
Full review here :
Third time is the charm ? That’s what we’ll find out today.
From afar, apart from the color, it’s hard to distinguish the new ddHiFi Janus3 from the Janus2: same bullet-like design, same dual-tone body, same body shape; but up close, you’ll see the differences.
First and foremost, the Janus3 comes only with an MMCX port, whereas the previous generations offered both the 2-pin and MMCX options for the cable. Second, the translucent acrylic shell, still merged with the steel nozzle, isn’t clear anymore, but blue-tinted to match the M120B Cable, which is available with the E2023S package.
And while I still miss the superb Flexible PCB (FPCB) introduced on the first Janus, the copper wires remain perfectly sorted, offering one of the cleanest designs on the market, in my opinion. A good surprise as, over the years, manufacturers either went for CNC-milled metallic shells, like [brand/model name], or switched to 3D-printed cases, thanks to lower build costs and precise controllers, whereas ddHiFi maintained classic acrylic molded shells.
Also, if both parts of the shell are still topped by aluminum caps, one side now shows a vent port, while the other side displays the MMCX port. A solid piece of work, and I think Demond and his team did a great job here.
The ddHiFi Janus3 build quality is, once again, top-notch, like every model of the brand so far.
As stated previously, it’s a minimalistic design, with no cables, one single driver, and a MMCX port – compared to the first model that displayed two inputs MMCX and 2-Pins. A strange but clever feature that allows you to enjoy your old and new cables, as I did during this review.
The MMCX port fits perfectly, there is no gap wherever your hand can touch, no bubbles and the extra-thickness of the shell gives a good level of confidence. Add an aluminum front cavity, color-marked stem on the 2-Pin socket for L/R identification, a sweet golden-toned MMXC port, and I think we are good.
If the previous version came with a ddHiFi BC120A (or Forest) which looked beautiful with its TPE sheath, the new model now comes with a copper/silver one, equally gorgeous in my opinion and even better to the touch. Same goes for the M120B cable that was bundled in my review package: exquisite braiding, super sturdy/fancy looking Lightning port magnified by a golden ring and a CNC’ed body.
So far, so good. Let’s keep digging and see what’s inside the box.
The ddHiFi Janus3 comes in a classic paper box, wrapped in a beautiful printed poster – a funny quirky design.
In the box you get :
A dire bundle to be quite honest, especially from a brand that makes accessories, but at least we get a nice box and a great cable.
Obviously, as an accessory-focused brand, ddHiFi offers almost everything you might ever need to complete your build
Out of the box, the Janus3 now comes with a 3.5 mm TRS plug, that should fit most DAC and DAP. But, if you’ve already embraced the 4.4mm world, they also come with 4.4mm adapter that should open up new ventures for your ears.
Same goes for the source: if you just want to connect your IEM to your phone and don’t want to carry a DAC/AMP, just get the ddHiFi E2023S set and you’ll be good to go! But, if you want to take it higher, check our DAP and DAC recommendation list. It could be something as small as their TC35 Pro Eye2, or something fancier like the Chord Mojo 2.
Unlike the vast majority of in-ears on the market nowadays, the ddHiFi Janus3 doesn’t have a semi-custom shape. Instead, the brand chose a simple, and proven tubular design.
Thanks to that, the E2023B can be wore with the cable hooked over your ear, or hanged down like any « consumer-grade » earphone, which remains quite handy when you just want to listen to some recordings quickly.
Whatever your choice, the IEM fitted my ear pretty well and felt pretty comfortable, even on my weekly two hours commute. If some might prefer this type of fit, easier to plug in/out, I remain more confident with customs and semi-customs ears which really fill my ear canal.
But that’s a personal choice, and my wife begs to differ, favoring the Janus for their shape over models like the Devialet Gemini II I recently reviewed.
With their classic design, the Janus3 are great noise blockers, even more so when fitted with the right tips – classic M for me.
I don’t know if the brand added various optimizations in the design, but I used them in the train, subway, and my office, where they could (obviously) not cut off all unwanted sound, but it definitely was above average and it should cover 90% of your everyday use – at least they did for me.
In that regard, I may suggest you add Comply Foam tips to your Janus, if you want to use them in really noisy spaces, the difference was really potent.
Impedance is low, sensitivity is high, so yes, you can drive those IEMs very easily, and this time they shone even when plugged into a smartphone. Of course, when hooked to a good DAC or DAP, things got even better, but I was really surprised to hear how good they sounded right out of the box.
There was some hissing with badly grounded sources, but that’s more than bearable. Once you’ve launched your music, all of that annoying buzz will immediately disappear. Hurray!
The review continues on Page two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: About the brand, design, comfort
Page 2: Specs, sound performance
creditSource link
Product Name: Stop Snoring Exercise Program cb vsl | Blue Heron Health News Click here…
Product Name: Wing Girl Secrets – How to Bring Out Her the Wild Side |…
Image: Pixii French camera maker Pixii has announced the Pixii Max, a 24MP full-frame rangefinder…
In case you didn’t get the memo (meaning: haven’t seen an overwhelming amount of pixelated…
In this feature, Meldrick reviews the Kiwi Ears Allegro, which is a retro-gaming-inspired ES9028Q2M dongle…
Figma, the popular design and prototyping platform, has put the brakes on its shiny new…