The DFPlayer Mini

Passionate about electronics and audio, I quickly came across the "DFPlayer Mini": a very cheap little audio player.

While the original "DFPlayer Mini" from DFRobot (reference "DFR0299") is perfect, the features and build quality seem to be very uneven among its clones... this article will help you see things more clearly.

By the way, thanks to the (real) "DFPlayer Mini", I offer the "Exposi'Son" and "Ambi'Son" modules in my shop, and I provide two free guides to learn how to build these objects yourself, with the DF alone or with an Arduino (it's also possible without the DF, with a Raspberry Pi).

Overview

This player is still made in China, and legally cloned by several companies. It's sold in many places, but numerous copies exist that don't work the same way, or don't work at all... I'm thinking of the "MP3-TF-16P" and other "BY8001-16P" that I won't even mention here, so disappointed was I... Steer clear of them!

Physically

The "DFPlayer Mini" is a small circuit board full of pins, able to hold a MicroSD card (sometimes called "TF").

Electronically

It offers a "DAC" output, perfect for connecting headphones or an amplifier, and an amplified "SPK" output of 3 Watts into 4 Ohms for a loudspeaker or a resonator.

Software-wise

This module can read WAV and MP3 files from a MicroSD card formatted in "Fat16" or "Fat32" and can communicate through RX/TX with an Arduino (or a clone like the one I use) or a Raspberry.

In practice

While in theory it has everything going for it, practice is a bit different: depending on the manufacturers and versions, the capabilities they offer aren't always there.

It's a safe bet that, for economic reasons — to keep the price as low as possible, and because it (almost) only affects people who aren't very demanding — the quality and features sometimes change radically from one clone to another.

In this comparison, we can see several components removed, and even the difference in audio chip: a "DFROBOTILISP3", a "GD3200B", a "GD3200D" and finally a "TD5580A".

Here now are the characteristics of the versions I had on hand, from the best to the worst.

I also measured the frequency response of the Line output of each one, by having them play the same white noise (flat spectrum), all at maximum volume: the curve reveals both the character and the real level of each version. Overview below, then the detail in each section.

SPOILER

In detail

1. DFR0299 from DFRobot

Compared to all the other versions, it's perfect! Which is normal, since DFRobot is the one who designed this player. In the end, it's the only one I use anymore.

How to recognize it

• "DFRobot" and "DFR0299" written on the packaging
• "DFPlayer Mini" printed in white on the board
• Audio chip "DFROBOTILISP3"
• Amplifier "YX8002D"
• All the pads reserved for components are populated (and there are many of them).
• Blue LED

Bought in 2024 for $5.90, directly from "DFRobot" (beware of customs fees: in my case it was €4 for 2 DFs!). It's also on sale for €6.55 at "BerryBase" and at "Mouser".

Strengths

• Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
• Reads MP3 and WAV
• Good audio quality
• 5 EQ presets available on MP3 (more info)
• Stereo Line output
• "AdKey 1&2" inputs usable
• Communicates over RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
• When the DFPlayer Mini powers up, a short circuit (without a series resistor) on "AdKey 1" plays all the files on the SD card, in a loop
• After the DFPlayer Mini powers up, a short circuit longer than 1 second (without a series resistor) on "AdKey 1" plays file 0001, in a loop
• The TX/RX messages are inaudible

Known flaws

• No EQ available on WAV (more info)
• Mono Speaker output, sum of the two channels (left + right)

Measured response

Its Line output is flat from bass to treble, and it's also the loudest of the four versions: the reference, plain and simple.

2. Before 2023

Compared to all the following versions, it's... (almost) perfect!

How to recognize it

• "DFRobot" and "DFR0299" written on the packaging
• "DFPlayer Mini" and "HW-247A" printed in white on the board
• Audio chip "GD3200B"
• Amplifier "8002"
• All the pads reserved for components are populated (and there are many of them).
• Red LED

Bought before 2023, €3.02 at "Reichelt", I don't remember what was written on the bags.

Strengths

• Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
• Reads MP3 and WAV
• Stereo Line output
• "AdKey 1&2" inputs usable
• Communicates over RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
• After or upon power-up of the DFPlayer Mini, a continuous short circuit (without a series resistor), or one longer than 1 second, on "AdKey 1" plays file 0001, in a loop

Known flaws

• Average audio quality
• The TX/RX messages pollute and can be heard very slightly in the sound
• Mono Speaker output, sum of the two channels (left + right)
• When the DFPlayer Mini powers up, a short circuit (without a series resistor) on "AdKey 1" does not play all the files in a loop, but only 0001 in a loop

Measured response

Midrange and treble well held, but the bass collapses (about −22 dB below 120 Hz) and the overall level is a bit lower (−4 dB in the midrange). This missing bass is consistent with the reduced components on these boards.

3. DFP-MINI from BerryBase, by Sertronics GmbH

This version is entirely mono and stacks up other flaws.

Bought in 2023 for €2.52 at "BerryBase".

How to recognize it

• "BerryBase", "Sertronics GmbH" written on the packaging
• "DFPlayer Mini" and "HW-247A" printed in white on the board
• Audio chip "GD3200D"
• Amplifier impossible to read
• Some pads reserved for components are unpopulated.
• Red LED

Strengths

• Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
• Reads MP3 and WAV
• "AdKey 1&2" inputs usable but degraded
• Communicates over RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"

Known flaws

• Average audio quality
• Mono Line output, no summing: just channel 1 (the left one)

Worsened flaws

• The TX/RX messages pollute and can be heard slightly in the sound
• "AdKey 1&2" inputs degraded: for example, when the DFPlayer powers up, a short circuit (without a series resistor) on "AdKey 1" no longer plays anything at all
• Mono Speaker output, but no more summing: just channel 1 (the left one)

Measured response

Same tendency as the previous one: bass strongly reduced (about −23 dB below 120 Hz) and level a bit lower than the DFR0299.

4. DFP-MINI v0.5.1 from BerryBase, by Sertronics GmbH

This version stacks up every flaw and isn't even standalone.

Bought in 2024 for €3.02 at "Reichelt".

How to recognize it

• "BerryBase", "Sertronics GmbH" and "DFP-MINI" written on the packaging
• "DFPlayer Mini", "HW-247A" and version "v0.5.1" printed in white on the board
• Audio chip "TD5580A"
• Amplifier impossible to read
• All the pads reserved for components are populated (and there are many of them).
• Red LED

Strengths

• Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
• Reads MP3 and WAV
• Communicates over RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"

Known flaws

• Average audio quality
• Solder joints on the card reader's ground sometimes poorly made. Fragile, they cause the player to stop: to be resoldered
• Mono Line output, just channel 1 (the left one)
• Mono Speaker output, just channel 1 (the left one)

Worsened flaws

• The TX/RX messages pollute and can be heard in the sound
• "AdKey 1&2" inputs unusable: nothing works anymore...

Measured response

This is the one that loses the most bass (about −25 dB below 120 Hz) and is the quietest of the four. The thinnest rendering.

Problems, Fixes & Ideas

While the DFPlayer is a brilliant little player that powers many of my creations, including this one, you run into plenty of small flaws that are nonetheless easy to work around. So here's a dedicated article on solving all the problems of the DFPlayer Mini.

Conclusion

Although this little module is still very nice, it's no longer standalone and must be controlled by an Arduino or a Raspberry to be usable.

Do you know of other versions? Do you have suggestions or questions? Contact me or comment on this article below.