MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SL-41 MK2

MYER-AUDIO is one of those brands that were recently new in the market from last year and I’d consider them as less known compared to brands like Moondrop, Dunu, KZ, Simgot, and the list goes on. They have released some sets from D41, SL41 MK2, SLT6, D62, and the more recent ones which are CK2V, and SLA3. I swear they need to work on their naming schemes, but it is what it is. Today, I’m reviewing the SLIIVO SL-41 MK2.

Disclaimer:
I bought this set on shopee for less than $150 but it is usually priced at $180. I am not affiliated with Myer-Audio or Hifigo.


Accessories

IEM itself with the non-modular cable attached

6 pairs of eartips and 1 pair of foam tips

Case

It comes with a circular-shaped case that is too thick to be pocketable but it provides enough protection for the IEMs. The cable used is a thick, monocrystalline copper silver-plated cable. The quality of the cable itself is good but it is on the thicker side and it can be heavy to some people. Unfortunately, it is a non-modular cable and you can only choose between 3.5mm and 4.4mm. Stock ear tips are okay for the most part, and I liked using the clear red tips the most. The clear red stock tips were okay, but I did use fiio hs20 and divinus velvet wide bore eartips the most. Velvet wide bore is good for more soundstage while hs20 is good if you want more bass.


Technical Specifications

The SL41 MK2 uses a 10MM composite bio-diaphragm DD along with 2 custom Knowles BAs for mids, and 2 custom BAs for treble.

Build and Design

The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 has a resin build with a translucent black coating. You can kinda see the drivers inside the shell. It also has a faceplate that reminds me of Dunu Davinci but in blue color. The shell seems to be almost flat in areas where other IEMs usually have contours.



Fit/Seal/Comfort

The fit and comfort to me is fine, for the most part. I don’t have issues with pressure build up, but I have some issues with the seal. There are times where I struggle to get a proper seal, and I can tell since I don’t consistently feel the bass rumble on the same track at times. This also negatively affects the isolation too. It can isolate a bit, but I can still hear some background noises around me.



Just for comparison, the best fit and comfort to me from highest to lowest (that I own) is as follows:
Explorer>EA500>SL41

Seal:
Explorer>SL41>EA500

Sources used:
Topping DX1
Apple dongle (lightning version)
VE Devastator (4.4mm version)
Smartphone

With the impedance of 43Ω and sensitivity of 108dB, the SL41 is not difficult to drive as it can be easily powered by a smartphone or a desktop pc. I would not recommend it though since I noticed that swapping sources does affect the sound signature more than I am normally used to. Since you do not need a lot of power, an Apple dongle or VE devastator would be sufficient for SL41. I did use topping dx1 and VE devastator most of the time while creating this review.


Sound
To me, the SL41 is more of a balanced type of tuning with maybe a slight emphasis to the mid treble. It is similar to the JM-1 tuning or Meta tuning but with more treble.


Bass
The sub-bass does rumble a bit, but it is not emphasized. It is also fast, but it extends nicely when needed. Midbass is enough for me, and it doesn’t overwhelm other frequencies. Midbass is also tight and can keep up with complex tracks. In addition, there is more sub-bass than midbass and it is bass boosted but not at like basshead levels. Overall, the bass is not really the highlight of the show, and it coexists along with the mids and treble.


Mids
The instruments sound “normal” to me and it is not too thin or thick. Unlike harman tuning with thin sounding mids, SL41 is neither too thin nor too thick in the noteweight. As for the male vocals, some male vocals can sound thin, but this is mostly a nitpick. Female vocals have good amount of energy without sounding overly forward or shouty. Some people might prefer a little more energy in the upper midrange, but this is enough to me.


Treble
The treble is enough for me to consider it bright, but it is not fatiguing for MOST TRACKS. If you listen to poorly recorded tracks with a lot of emphasized cymbals, it might sound harsh. Moving on, the treble extension is good but there are treble peaks that you may notice. I do not always notice the treble peaks but whenever it is noticeable, it can be distracting at times. The decay also sounds natural which means it is neither too fast nor too slow. I’d warn treble-sensitive folks though to demo first before buying though.


Technicalities
The soundstage is not narrow sounding, but it is not overly wide either. Maybe only wide enough for it to not sound intimate. Aside of decent width, the height of the soundstage is also good. The imaging is also good and I can pinpoint where the instruments are placed. I usually focus on the percussion and there is a distinct position on the cymbals, snare, bass, and even toms. Separation is also good and I can pinpoint and focus on each instrument or vocals. Lastly, the detail retrieval of this set is great. I can hear the micro-nuances like the guitar plucking, faint breathing of vocalists, or stepping in the hi-hat. There are other sets that are better at this category but those sets usually sound unnatural to me.

Comparisons
I will compare it to IEMs that I either own or I’ve tried in the past.


Simgot EA500
In my ears, ea500 is noticeably brighter and more forward in the upper mids. I have to lower the volume on ea500 more due to how harsh it sounds. The rolled off subbass is quite noticeable too especially whenever I try any track with a lot of subbass rumble. Nonetheless, ea500 is still better when it comes to coherency as a 1 dynamic driver still sounds more cohesive than a 1dd + 4ba on sl41. I like the sl41 more.


Aful Explorer
Aful explorer is a warm, bassy tuning that can be considered dark. Compared to sliivo sl41, explorer sounds more intimate on the soundstage while the sl41 has better clarity and more open soundstage without being fatiguing to my ears. SL41 is a better all-rounder but explorer can do some genres better such as hip-hop, slow rock, and other poorly recorded tracks that would sound harsh on sl41. Explorer is good for laid-back listening, while sl41 is good as an all-rounder.


Some of the other stuff that I demoed in the past:

Simgot Supermix 4

The Supermix 4 has brighter treble, more forward upper mids in comparison with SL41 mk2. Supermix 4 is sub-bass focused similar to sl41, except that sl41 has more midbass and better midbass impact imo. Supermix 4 is more detailed, and technical than sl41 but sl41 mk2 has a better timbre than the unnatural timbre from supermix 4. Personally, I prefer the sl41.

Dunu Davinci

Dunu Davinci has more bass impact in both sub-bass and midbass. Another thing to note is the transient speed of bass in sl41 is noticeably faster compared to the bass of davinci which is better for slower genres. Both are natural sounding sets, but I prefer the timbre of sl41 over davinci. Davinci is more of a safe tuning, while the sl41 mk2 is brighter and can sound harsh at times. You can't go wrong with either one, but I prefer the sl41. However, that does not mean that davinci is not a good set for its price.

Hisenior Mega5EST

Mega5est is the best example of "meta" tuning. It sounds balanced on all frequencies, similar to sl41. To my ears, mega5est sounds better as a whole and is also better in technicalities. This is expected though as mega5est is two to three times more expensive than sl41. Even still, the sl41 is still impressive to be not far off from mega5est. In this case, mega5est is better but it is also significantly more expensive.

Conclusion

Overall, the SL41 is a good product considering the accessories and the sound quality that comes along with it. The overall tuning leans more on a balanced sound with some treble emphasis. Personally, I liked that kind of sound and how “normal” sounding the instruments are for the most part. It is not the most natural sounding per se, but it is one of the better ones out there with some decent technicalities that comes along with it.

Hello to all the audio enthusiasts! I’d like to share with you my latest purchase – the Sliivo SL41 MK2 from MYER-AUDIO (yes, I know, long and confusing name..), hybrid IEMs combining a single dynamic driver (DD) + 4 balanced armature drivers (BA). As you can guess from the title, it’s pretty clear what to expect in the review, and that’s the reason it took me longer than usual to write it. It took me a lot of time to calm down from the excitement I had about these IEMs. I can’t say I’ve completely calmed down, but now I’m more in a mindset that can truly review. It will be difficult, no doubt, but for a good reason, and I believe you’ll understand why as we go along. Shall we start?



Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all my opinions about the IEM are personal and based on my personal experience using them. This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.

What’s in the box?​

Honestly, the unboxing experience is quite modest. When you open the box, you are greeted by the IEMs already connected to their cable and ready for direct connection to your playback source, without the need to fuss with connecting the cable, which is something I don’t usually see. Additionally, you receive a round carrying case, 2 types of silicone tips, and a pair of memory foam tips. Yes, nothing extraordinary in terms of the number of accessories at this price range. But how about their quality? Here, in my opinion, they stand out from other IEMs.



The cable of the IEMs is quite thick, very flexible, and doesn’t have any memory. Additionally, there are markings for the right and left sides, which is something I really appreciate. In fact, the cable feels very high quality, not the kind you typically get with IEMs in this price range. Honestly, there’s not much more to say—the cable is just good, among the more comfortable ones I’ve used.



The included carrying case is quite convenient. It’s blue (matching nicely with the color of the IEMs), faux leather, with an internal velvet-like lining, giving it a luxurious feel. The round shape is a bit unusual for me, as I’m more accustomed to square cases, which typically require less cable folding, especially given that the cable here is quite thick. You could say that with this cable, the IEMs fit snugly into the case, which wasn't the most convenient for me. However, aside from that, the case does its job well and is beautifully designed.



In terms of ear tips, the package includes one type of white/transparent silicone tips in three sizes, which are considered standard silicone tips. Additionally, there are transparent silicone tips with a red base, imitating the SpinFit design with a swivel mechanism, also in three sizes. To put it in perspective, a single pair of SpinFit CP100+ can cost around $7 for just one size. Here, you get three sizes included! For me, that’s more than enough to start listening without needing any upgrades. Although they aren’t quite as premium as the SpinFit CP100+, the difference is minor, especially considering they come free with the IEMs (and unfortunately aren’t sold separately, I checked). There's also a pair of red memory foam tips included, though personally, I’m not a fan of using them, but they’re there if you prefer.

The IEMs are made of resin (which feels like high-quality plastic), similar to many other IEMs. The front faceplate is blue with yellow accents, resembling a piece of art, as if an artist’s painting was applied to the IEMs. The model name is written in gold, which reflects light. The inner part of the IEMs is black/transparent, allowing a clear view of the internal components. It’s stunning—you can see the minimalistic setup of all the drivers, the crossover, and the soldering. There’s something very satisfying about it. The attention to detail is remarkable—the wires connecting the drivers to the crossover are the same color as the cable provided with the IEMs, giving the impression that the cable seamlessly continues inside the IEMs. This level of detail amazed me.



However, I must mention a minor downside: not every cable can fit these IEMs, as they use a recessed 2PIN connection that allows the cable to plug in more securely. On one hand, this isn’t a huge issue since the included cable is of high enough quality that I wouldn’t want to replace it. On the other hand, I would have liked to try my other cables, but I can’t due to this feature. If you plan to purchase a new cable for these IEMs, ensure it’s a recessed 2PIN type.

Fit and Comfort​

In terms of comfort and fit to the ear, I would say they are quite good. Although they don't have a shape that matches the shape of the ear, they are still comfortable. They don't stick out, and despite the IEM's nozzle being 6.2mm, I felt quite comfortable with it. As mentioned, a successful combination of silicone tips, very comfortable. I would say, however, that 6.2mm is really the boundary between comfortable and uncomfortable for me, here it works, but it is something to keep in mind if you have a small ear. It didn't bother me, fortunately.

In terms of sound​

I would say the tuning of the IEMs is quite neutral, there’s room for everything to be heard without any frequency being compromised. You just hear everything, without sacrificing anything. And it’s done in good taste, with deep bass... The best way I can describe these IEMs is that they are the closest I’ve heard to speakers with a subwoofer. I’m not joking, it’s just amazing, I’ve been looking for IEMs that can deliver this for so long, do you understand why I’m so excited?

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.

The sub-bass in these IEMs is very deep. And when I say deep, I really mean it. It can go very low, sounds amazing, without compromising other frequencies. When I started listening, this was the thing that grabbed my attention the most. An insane amount of sub-bass, I was really satisfied with both the quantity and the quality. It’s deep, full, clean, really – everything you need in an IEM. If you're like me and love a lot of sub-bass, these are definitely the IEMs for you.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.

The mid-bass feels present in the IEMs, it’s done in a pretty clean and balanced way. When there’s a punch, it’s felt well, and in amazing balance with the sub-bass. Although it's not the star of the show, like the sub-bass, it’s enough to give body to male voices and drums. The mid-bass feels fast, it manages to handle a lot of bass, even in tracks that exaggerate it. Except for a few rare cases (which I tend to assume are due to poor recordings, not a problem with the IEMs), I didn’t find a place where it failed to deliver a good performance. Really, in every type of song, it managed to impress, and left me with a smile on my face.

Mids​

The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.

The mid frequencies in the IEMs felt very balanced, and it was done well, as it gives equal prominence to every sound, every frequency, everything sounds great and clear. Male and female voices sounded very good, without exception. Instruments like guitars, especially, sounded amazing, every string gets attention, violins sound full, pianos sound really good; they sound as if they’re playing just for me, right here next to me, very realistic. In my opinion, the balance with the bass and treble gives the mid frequencies more body, more life. At the same time, they don’t sound warm in any way, they’re not “colored,” I’d even say they sound relatively cold, closer to reality. Overall, I really enjoyed what the IEMs were able to deliver, it sounds exactly how it should sound, you hear everything of everything, without compromising on anything, amazing balance. If I want to hear instruments playing just for me, no doubt they do the job excellently.

Treble​

The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.

The treble in the IEMs is done tastefully. I wouldn't say they're particularly bright, but the amount of treble here adds a bit of a "bright" flavor. High-pitched human vocals sounded very good, as did the high tones of violins. Additionally, the strumming of string instruments, cymbals, and all the small nuances usually present in instruments were heard very clearly, enhancing the listening experience. Especially with guitars, I felt as if the guitar was playing right in front of me, thanks to the added details in the strumming that get attention. Moreover, synthesizers sound great, making electronic music very enjoyable. The combination of the treble in the IEMs with the bass is simply amazing, creating a paradise for electronic songs. Deep bass with treble that isn't overpowering but is present, I can't find words to describe how good it is. And the bass doesn't overwhelm the treble; they sound together, not against each other, very clean, with uncompromising treble. I find it hard to believe it's possible, but it is, and I hear it, and I'm amazed every time. To summarize, the treble is done with good taste; it's noticeable but not to the point of being annoying, rather the opposite – it's well-balanced with the other frequencies in an incredible way.

Technical capabilities​

In my opinion, the technical capabilities of the IEMs are quite good, but with certain compromises; the ability to separate between the instruments and vocals is something exceptional and stands out in these IEMs, there are many things that can play simultaneously and you can still hear each of them individually. Also, the imaging is quite good, and it’s easy to pinpoint the locations of the instruments. The detail retrieval is not the best I’ve heard in this price range, which is a relative compromise. However, despite that, the ability to hear all frequencies in a balanced and "neutral" way is just as important, and even in IEMs that can provide detail, I didn’t find this balance, as I described in the treble – you hear the nuances and little details of the instruments, and with guitars, for example, it’s very immersive and adds to the experience, and even in IEMs with higher detail retrieval, I didn’t get this, which is something to consider. Additionally, the soundstage of the IEMs doesn’t feel very wide; I’d be lying if I said it was narrow, because it’s definitely not, but it’s also not the widest I’ve heard. There’s enough space for the instruments and vocals to breathe, but it’s not the type of IEMs where you feel like they place you in a wide stage. It’s more "inside the head." But overall, I’m very satisfied, just think there’s room for improvement in this aspect for the next model of the IEMs.

Comparisons​

ISN Audio NEO 3 (full review here)​

The ISN Audio NEO 3 are IEMs with 2 dynamic drivers + a magnetic planar driver. The comparison between the two is very interesting, as they provide completely different things; while the Sliivo try to be relatively neutral, sometimes I find them somewhat cold, despite the "compensation" of the boosted bass here. In contrast, the NEO 3 are warmer IEMs, and in my opinion, they also emphasize the vocals in a sweeter way, they are a completely different kind of IEM. Between the two, I found myself using the NEO 3 a lot for pop songs, because I think their ability to present vocals and subtle treble is something hard to describe in words (I invite you to read my review of them ); on the other hand, the Sliivo bring a deeper bass (just like a subwoofer), the instruments feel like they are playing for me, and their tuning is a bit more versatile, allowing them to play more genres without exception; I would say that if you mainly listen to pop songs or songs with human vocals, I would recommend going for the NEO 3, they have something special and calming. In contrast, if you want uncompromising IEMs that know how to give deep bass, good instrument presentation, like feeling the guitar strums and getting into the small nuances of the treble, I think the Sliivo SL41 would fit perfectly. I would like to note that in terms of soundstage, it felt slightly wider in the NEO 3, and in terms of imaging, I think both are at the same level. Since the NEO 3 don’t emphasize treble much, you can hear more detail in the lower frequencies; on the other hand, with the Sliivo SL41, the frequencies are heard in a balanced way, so beyond detail, you could say that you hear more. In terms of comfort and ear fit, the NEO 3 have a shape that fits my ear shape better, and the nozzle is not very wide, which makes them easier to wear for long periods. I still think that in terms of comfort, the NEO 3 take the lead, but that doesn’t mean the Sliivo are uncomfortable, they’re just not at the same level, both are still good and comfortable, but it’s important to take this into account if you have small ears, and if a 6.2mm nozzle size is too big for you. So to summarize: the NEO 3 are warmer-tuned IEMs that are great for certain songs like pop or those with lots of human vocals. The Sliivo feels a bit "colder" in comparison, but they’re more versatile and suitable for many genres.

Letshuoer S12 (full review here)​

The Letshuoer S12 are IEMs with a single planar magnetic driver. If you’ve read my review of them, you probably saw that the area where they disappointed me was the bass. In fact, I really loved these IEMs and became very attached to them, but I always wished they had deep bass as well. So, I’m happy to announce that this day has come! For me, the Sliivo SL41 remind me a lot of the S12 in many ways. There's great detail in the treble, the midrange sounds good, and the improvement here, in my opinion, is that the bass sounds exactly like subwoofer bass, exactly as I wanted. In fact, this is a real step-up for me. But, the S12 still have a place in my heart; sometimes the bass of the Sliivo can be a bit much, and for listening to electronic songs when I want something a little more relaxed, the S12 will probably be a better fit for me. That being said, I think the Sliivo are great as a direct upgrade from the S12, they’re exactly what I wanted in an IEM. In terms of soundstage, I think they are on the same level, maybe a bit better in the S12 but not dramatically so. In terms of imaging as well, I personally feel that the S12 do a slightly more accurate job with imaging. As for comfort and ear fit, the S12 are very small, and I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t be able to wear them, but on the other hand, this is also a downside because it’s hard to get a good seal with them, which the Sliivo do much better in my opinion. But it’s important to note again that the Sliivo have a 6.2mm nozzle size, so if you have relatively small ears, this could be a problem for you, something to keep in mind. For me, they were still comfortable. To summarize: if you loved the S12 and would like them to have a bit more bass and a slightly more relaxed treble, the Sliivo SL41 are, in my opinion, a direct upgrade. If you’re allergic to bass and want the bass to be more “in the background” rather than in your face, then the S12 would be the better choice.

Bottom Line​

I believe that after reading this review, you can understand why I was so excited about these IEMs. They provide everything I’ve ever wanted in an IEM: deep bass, midrange frequencies that allow you to hear everything, uncompromising treble. As someone whose library consists of a good amount of electronic music, I can say that it’s simply heaven for them, the amazing combination of bass and treble without one compromising the other. Furthermore, in the box, you get everything you actually need to start enjoying; there’s no need to buy different silicone tips because they already provide a good imitation of SpinFit in 3 sizes, no need for a new cable since the one in the box is already comfortable enough. The only thing I might complain about is the IEM case, which feels small compared to the thickness of the cable, but that’s fixable. If you’re looking for relatively neutral IEMs with boosted bass (but really boosted, with uncompromising amounts of sub-bass), I think these IEMs can totally work for you. It’s hard for me to think of a genre these IEMs couldn’t properly handle: pop, metal, rock, electronic, lo-fi, everything sounds great. In my opinion, there’s really no need to change anything about these IEMs; the only thing I’d want to be better is a wider soundstage, to hear more detail, and that’s it. For the price they cost, I think the value is excellent. The recommended retail price for these IEMs is about $180, but during sales, you can get them for $100-130 (and don’t tell Myer Audio I told you, but if you ask them nicely for a coupon – they’ll be happy to give you one ), which makes them a great deal, in my opinion.

The IEMs are available for purchase from the MYER-AUDIO store at the following link (no affiliate marketing).

​

Introduction​

The Myer Audio Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is an awesome IEM released by Myer Audio, which is priced at $180. It features a 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures configuration.

Package Contents​

• The Ear Buds
• Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable
• Six Pairs of Silicone Ear tips [S, M, L]
• One Pair of Foam Ear Tip
• Leather Pouch
• Manual

Specifications​

• Configuration: 1DD + 4BA
• Impedance: 43 Ω
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Cable: Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable
• Length: 1.25M
• Plug: Optional 3.5MM/4.4MM Support Double Recessed 0.78 mm Pin
• Plug material: 3u Gold-Plated Plugs

Driver Configuration​

• 1x 10MM Customized DD unit
• 2x Knowles BA unit
• 2x Customized BA unit

Build & Design​

The Sliivo Sl-41 MK.2 looks absolutely fabulous with the blue resin faceplate. It looks like an entire ocean was printed onto it. The build is premium feeling, solid and sturdy.

Cable​

The Sliivo comes with an impressive 4-core, monocrystalline copper, silver-plated cable that is premium quality. This is one of the highlights for this price class, which displays craftsmanship normally found in much higher-end models. It also feels great to touch. And, it has no memory, so no tangling of any sorts.

Fit & Comfort​

The Sliivo SK41 MK2 has an impressively good fit. It has a secure and comfortable fit. As they are quite light, they are among the most comfortable IEMs I have worn. They can be used for longer usage without causing pain or discomfort in the ears, thus being suitable for long-time use.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

Tip-Rolling​

• Dunu Candy: Candy sounds kind of dead-sh, and makes it boorish. Vocals are a tad too recessed for my liking. Nevertheless, the stage is spacious and airy.
• Epro Propeller Pro01: Pro01 offers the largest and widest sound-stage over all these tested tips. Moreover, the sound is forward-facing with precise imaging, which creates an extremely engaging listening experience. The mid-range is clean and velvety, with vocals exhibiting good tonal weight, particularly for female voices which sound exceptionally sweet. Treble is smooth and extended. We do lose a bit in the mid-bass section, especially the punchiness.
• Epro EP01: These tips make the sound more focused, thicker, makes the sound-stage wider, makes the vocals even smoother and adds warmth. The sub-bass loses a bit of its depth, but it still has good presence. The Mid-bass loses its punchiness, but remains hard-hitting. Female vocal sounds the best on this one. It is relaxing, smooth, and calming. Overall, it adds smoothness to the overall sound.
• Final Type E Clear: Sounds cleaner, clearer, brighter and tighter bass than conventional black Final Audio Type E ear tip. Improved vocal lucidity. Moreover, it produces great extension on both ends. Tonally more accurate as well.
• Epro Horn Shaped: The Horn tips have a deep insertion to the canals. It adds warmth, body, and texture to vocals. The sub-bass and mid-bass are exceptional here, and are tightly controlled. The Sub-Bass has good and deep rumble. The mid-bass is hard, punchy, and tight. The female vocals sound even more natural, softer and sounds realistic with good grasp on the intimacy. Perfectly captures the micro details of the singer's vocal. However, it does lose quite a bit of soundstage.

Overall, the horn shaped, ep01, propeller and the final clear tips are the best for Sliivo. My number one pick would be the Pro01, and horn-shaped would be my second.

Sound​

Bass​

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass has good presence and has a deep rumble. It is tight, well controlled and textured alongside a great extension. Moreover, the Sliivo focuses on the quality of the sub over the quantity. The reverberation is good and balanced, which keeps the overall presentation clean, and has no bleed ins.(R)

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is hard-hitting, punchy, tight, and tactile. It is well controlled, and the response is exceptionally well done. The hits are satisfying, leaves a hall-effect aftertaste which leads it to a spacious feeling. The attack and decay speed are also incredible. Moreover, the mid-bass sounds fuller and doesn’t overwhelm other parts.

Mid-Range​

Mid-range is well-done, and impressed me greatly. The vocals and instruments sound extremely natural, lively, and clear.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are forward, warm, natural, and clean. It also has good note-weight, and sounds lively. The nuances are also produced excellently by Sliivo MK2. Vocals also sound outstandingly rich, and smooth; also induces an intimate feel. It doesn’t produce any sibilance, or harshness.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals are rich, sweet, energetic, and lively. The Sliivo handling of low pitch is superb. Moreover, it portrays the vocals in a smooth and non-sibilant way. It even has a bit of warmth and sounds airy, which greatly increases the engagement of the vocals. Also, the vocals are clean and has great clarity. It really feels energetics and intimate. I thoroughly enjoyed female vocals on the Sliivo. The low-pitch is also handled perfectly by it. Finally, it also captures details left by the vocalist perfectly. Even the breaths taken by the singer.+

Instruments​

Instruments are well-done, they have good clarity and natural. It is also a bit forward. Pianos, guitar strings sound absolute heavenly.

Treble​

The treble is extremely fun, engaging, clean, and energetic. It has excellent extension, and it is airy, which makes a great listening experience. Treble is also sparkly, and leans towards a bright tuning. The instruments sound crisp, clean, and sparkly. The cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp and clear. Moreover, the lower treble is extremely detailed, energetic, and crispy.

Sound-stage & Imaging​

The sound-stage is adequately wide, has good depth, and the layering is respectable. It makes the tracks sound even more immersive.
Imaging is incredible. The instruments can be accurately distinguished and is heard with pinpoint accuracy. The separation is also fantastic.

Details Retrieval​

The detail retrieval on the Sliivo MK.2 is astounding!
The Sliivo can catch and reproduce every macro and micro-details perfectly. Its capture of such intricate details, truly makes an immersive listening experience.

Separation​

The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 has impeccable separation, that I have never witnessed in such a price point. The vocals, instruments, bass are all produced in a manner which doesn’t overwhelm each other. The listeners can listen to the instruments and vocals, while distinguishing them perfectly.

Conclusion​

The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is an impressive IEM for its price. It feels well-built and comfortable, and the sound quality is quite good, with clear vocals, controlled bass, and lively treble, thanks to its unique driver setup of 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures. The cable is also a nice upgrade, adding to the overall experience.
When it comes to sound-stage and detail, the Sliivo does a great job of making music feel immersive. That said, the stock tips might not be the best fit for everyone, so it’s worth experimenting with different options to find what works for you. There are a few minor quirks, like some listeners being sensitive to the treble, but overall, the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is a solid choice for anyone looking to enjoy their music more. Whether you're an audiophile or just someone who appreciates good sound.

First I would like to express my utmost thanks to Myer Audio for sending this review unit and also to my friends at Sonic Mantra for giving me the opportunity to test it out. This review reflects my honest opinions. I didn’t get influenced or paid by anyone for this review.



The Myer Audio Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is their first release in "Sliivo" lineup as far as I know. Technically, Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is the final version of Sliivo SL-41 original one with more elevated lows. The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is priced at $180. Myer Audio has impressed us with their first release; the CKLVX D41, and all of their releases were super impressive. It features a 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures configuration. Let’s find out how the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 holds up its reputation.

Package Contents:

1. The earpieces
2. White 4-core monocrystalline SPC 2pin Cable
3. Two sets of ear tips- normal bore & narrow bore also a pair of foam tips
4. A synthetic leather carrying pouch
5. User manual

Unboxing experience is straight forward. Slide open the upper sleeve, and drop open the box, there’s a light paper covering the whole thing. Under that you will find the user manual and see the ear pieces presented at top, and a leather pouch at bottom. Inside the pouch there is a bag with the ear tips and the cable itself. I liked the minimal outer design of the package. But it would be great if they use a signature design for their different series products.


The Myer Audio Sliivo SL-41 MK2 shell has all resin build with metal nozzle. There are two color choices for the faceplate, one is black faceplate with colorful sparkles, and the other one is blue faceplate with yellow lines. I got the blue one which looks stunning. It absorbs light making it look dark indoors and bright blue in sub light. The resin quality feels premium in hand, and seems robust in hand. Although, the resin seems fingerprint magnet, the faceplate design makes it very hard to notice which is good. There is the SLIIVO branding with golden fonts on bottom side of each faceplate. The left & right markings are in the inner side of the earphone which goes in your ear. The vent in this one is interesting. It’s located right in front of the 2 pin connector. The vent is a resin dome with cross vent that protrudes out of the surface that is also seen in DUNU’s higher end IEMs like the SA6 MKII. The 2 pin connector has a recessed 2 pin connecting system, but it’s not your typical recessed 2 pin. The pins are longer and the 2pin groove is deeper in the shell as well. The connection is strong so, no complaints there. Just keep in mind that the cables that will fit with the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is limited.
Now, onto the cable, it is a thing of beauty! The thick 4-core monocrystalline silver plated copper cable feels very premium. It’s soft and tangle free with no memory at all. The ear hooks are pretty nice as well, soft and easily be reshaped. In terms of sound, I am totally satisfied with it, doesn’t leave me wanting anything more. Feels like the perfect complementary accessory for the Sliivo SL-41 MK2. One feedback will be to use more premium jack cover.

The synthetic leather pouch is pretty good. It is a handy travel buddy to carry around the IEM or store it.


The shells are medium in size. They are extremely lightweight due to the resin built shells, which allows it to provide better support for longer sessions. The nozzles are medium to wider side in diameter. Moreover, the nozzle length & angle is just perfect which allows the user to have a deep, and snug fit. The isolation is also good. It fits in very comfortably in my medium to small sized ear canals. I didn’t face any sort of fatigue or irritation in long sessions. With perfect ear tip it gives a deep and secure fit which I really dig.

Although, the cable is easy to handle, it is slightly on the heavier side. When the whole cable is floating the weight of the cable creates pressure on ear where the hook is sitting. It’s not a big issue, but I did experience it, and adjusted that by giving the cable some support by clipping it to my shirt (note that my ears are more spread and comparatively thin than others). The ear hooks are soft, thin, and barely noticeable. While wearing it I totally forgot that it has ear hook, whereas other cable hooks manage to annoy me in some way. Be it creating pressure or falling off of my ear. Aside from the issue with the cable weight, this wins big in fit and comfort section.



Now, onto the most important part, the sound quality. The Myer Audio Sliivo SL41 MK2 does not disappoint here either. It has a neutral tuning with very good control everywhere! Let’s dive deep:

• Bass:
  The bass here is excellently controlled. The sub-bass presence is good with deep rumble. The reverberation feels controlled, and roll off is adequate as well. It feels tight, and textured with great extension. It also emphasizes on the quality of sub-bass, rather than the quantity. Although, the sub-bass is deep it doesn’t go as deep which might not be enough for some sub-bass enthusiasts. The sub-bass rumble is more audible than a deep lasting vibration, which keeps a clean presentation in the low end. The layering makes the tracks feel alive, and immersive, but it never feels overdone, which will be adored by those who lrefer clean, quality subbass with good presence.
  
  The mid-bass is fantastic here. This IEM is more mid-bass focused than sub-bass, but neither one overwhelms the other. The mid-bass is impactful with excellent tactile feedback. It has impressive decay, and the speed is marvelous. The slaps sound fuller, and kicks are impactful, which leaves a satisfying after-effect to make it feel spacious, and well controlled. The speed impressed me by a lot. For example, I was able to hear each drum hits clearly without mixing together and muffling the sound in “Involuntary Doppelgänger – Archspire”, which is an insanely fast track. The way the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 handled the rapid fire of drums is definitely worth the applause. In general, the mid-bass sounds fuller with impressive dynamics and very impactful with good decay and tactility. The presentation is clean and every note sound crisp and alive where needed.

• Mid-range:
  Just like how the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 impressed me with its bass presentation, the mid-range continues to deliver excellent quality as well. From vocals to instruments, everything sounds natural, and alive. The male vocals sound clean with adequate note-weight and really good texture. Male vocals tend to sound a bit forward in some tracks that focuses on vocals. The texture, and the subtle changes in voice is picked up vividly which makes the vocals sound lively, and textured. The dynamics are great, which allows it to portray the emotional aspect of the singer’s voice nicely.
  
  Female vocals are amazing as well. Female vocals sound even more alive with added energy. They sound smooth without exhibiting any kind of sibilance. Even though female vocals have energy and a bit of spice, they still manage to deliver a smooth overall presentation. The way Sliivo SL41 MK2 handles the ascension & descension of low-high pitch voices is exceptional. The ascending & descending of vocals sound smooth, and shows excellent control once again. It picks up subtle noises from singer’s mouth movement which makes it feel more alive. But there is an issue. The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 isn’t as much forgiving for poorly mastered tracks. Poorly mastered tracks exhibit a bit of sibilance here & there, especially with the upper mid-range. Mid-range instruments sound lively, vivid maintaining natural timbre, and provides a lively presentation, making it sound smooth, and energetic where needed with the instruments.

• Treble:
  The treble performance is as commendable as the other regions. Treble is well extended and has great sparkles. The treble is slightly bright leaning. The lower treble is very detailed, and energetic making the instruments sound vivid. It sounds crisp, and energetic, due to the slight brightness which doesn’t break the barrier, making it sound shouty or unbearable. It doesn’t suffer from any kind of sibilance here either, and portrays the instrument’s sound naturally. The upper treble has good amount of sparkle, and air which makes for it to sound immersive. The treble energy might be satisfying but sometimes it spices up things when the mastering of the track isn’t good enough. Which causes them to sound sharp which isn’t bearable with high volume for much long. But dialing the volume down also helps keeping the energy in check which doesn’t sound overwhelming but that certainly is not the best solution as you might miss some micro details in the process. Other than poorly mastered tracks there isn’t any issue with the treble sounding sharp.

• Technical Performance:
  The technicality here pretty good as well. The sound stage is wide, but not the widest. It might lack a little in depth with some busy tracks, but that’s not a big issue for me. The layering of the stage is decent, which sounds immersive, and holographic in addition to the wonderful imaging. Imaging is on point with the instrument placements, which gives a pretty accurate idea of where each hits are coming from, which can be called pinpoint accurate in this case. The instrument separation is fantastic. Each region of the sound spectrum is well separated from each other, and each instruments can be heard separately in the mix vividly. I was able to hear each hits and notes clearly and well separated in heavy tracks like “Seizure – Hellana Pandora”. With all the elements together, it gives an immersive holographic feel to the whole sound.
  
  Looking at the other side of things, the detail retrieval, resolution, dynamics, and transient handling is also superb with the Sliivo SL-41 MK2. Detail retrieval is so good that it picks up small micro nuances like guitar/bass slides, cymbal decays, even vocalist’s articulatory noises are picked up which allows them to sound they have come alive. The dynamics are well controlled with both macro and micro dynamics. But even more impressive is the transient response. It is so smooth that it feels like it’s gliding through everything. The transient response is undoubtedly one of the strong points of this IEM.

Although, the stock ear tips seem good, but they can’t bring out the best from Sliivo SL-41 MK2. I tried out my small collection of ear tips which includesDunu candy, Spinfit W1, Divinus Velvet, Penon Liqueur Black, TRN T, TRI Clarion, multiple ePro tips, Final E-series black & clear, and some others. I found the IEM to sound the best with the Final E-series Clear pink tips. It adds extension to both end, bass sounds more controlled, gives overall body to both bass, and mids while still retaining clarity and that excellent separation without congesting anything or sacrificing anything.

As for source, it is absolutely a bad idea to pair it with anything that sounds digital or too analytical as the added spice would feel like a curse. A neutral or warm leaning, musical source like ibasso DC04 Pro, Ifi Hip Dac, ddHIFI TC44Pro E2, TC44C etc would be ideal choice for the Sliivo Sl-41 MK2.


The Myer Audio SL-41 MK2 shows commendable performance in every aspect. The control over almost every region of the sound spectrum is remarkable. The well controlled bass, lively and textured mids, detailed, slightly bright, and sparkly airy treble makes for a clean presentation overall, which is very much enjoyable. Despite leaning towards bright side, there isn’t any sibilance whatsoever with an exception of poorly mastered tracks exhibiting some sibilance which is overlookable. The fantastic attack speed, and transient response makes for a cleaner sound. With the impressive imaging and separation, it gives a clear and immersive experience.

Overall, the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 impresses with its blend of sound quality, build, deep fit which is comfortable for long listening sessions and technical finesse, making it a standout option in its price range for those who value detail, control, and a clean audio presentation.

Introducing the brand-new addition to one of the most renowned series by Myer Audio, the "Sliivo" series. Myer Audio Sliivo SK41 MKII presents an entirely new model priced affordably at just $180, housing a 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature setup.



This was sent to my friends over at Sonicmatra.org by Myer Audio for review purposes. Huge thanks to Myer Audio and the Sonic Matra team. However these are my honest opinions; I am not being paid or influenced in any way to say anything good or bad.


Testing Gear's
• Cayin RU7
• DDhifi TC44Pro E2
• Moondrop Dawn Pro
• iFi Go Blue
• Fiio BTR7

Technical Specifications
• Impedance: 43Ω
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Driver configuration: 10MM customized moving coil unit x1 + Knowles moving iron unit x2 + customized moving iron unit x2

What's in the box
• Iem themselves
• Monocrystalline copper silver-plated Cable
• Silicone ear tips x6 pairs
• Leather carrying case
• Instructional manual



Packaging
Packaging for the Myer Audio Sliivo SL41 MKII is very minimal. The front of the box only has a product name, with an image of a graph on the side. Removing the top layer of the box reveals the IEMs next to a leather carrying case which handily holds the stock eartips.

This may be too plain for some tastes, especially with the flashy graphics often found on other products. Yet, to many who like a clean, minimal look, it offers refreshing appeal.



Build and Design
The build quality on the Myer Audio Sliivo SK41 MKII is absolutely phenomenal; it looks and feels really premium, solid, and well put together. While it doesn't say what material it is, I'm going to take a guess and say it's resin. The bottom portion is semi-transparent, with a very nice faceplate on top. To me, the blue faceplate looks even better than the black faceplate. In addition, the SK41 MKII also has vents, which are only found on much higher-end IEMs, such as the Dunu SA6 MKII.


Fit and Comfort
Myer Audio Sliivo SK41 MKII has an impressively good fit, offering a secure, comfortable experience. The shell is designed very thoughtfully, meaning there are no fitment issues. Since they are pretty lightweight, they are among the most comfortable IEMs I have worn. They can be used for longer usage without causing pain or discomfort in the ears, thus being suitable for long-time use.



Cable
The Sliivo boasts an impressive 4-core, monocrystalline copper, silver-plated cable that screams premium quality. Indeed, this is one of the highlights for this price class and displays craftsmanship normally found in much higher-end models. The hand feel is great, with no memory whatsoever. Highly user-friendly and quite easy to manage.



Besides, the ear hooks are very comfortable; they are not too rigid, so that one can fit them snugly without feeling any discomfort, which will surely allow one to wear them as long as they want.

Sound
Now, onto the most important aspect of the Sliivo SL41 MKII: its sound. While this IEM holds a neutral-to-slightly bright sound signature, it manages to find an absolutely fantastic balance across the frequency spectrum, making it quite compelling on a wide variety of musical genres.

What truly stands out, though, is its impressive bass response. Unlike many IEMs tuned neutrally that might have a lack of depth, the Sliivo provides an impactful fast low-end that brings a lot of enhancement to the overall sound profile. The combination of neutrality and engaging bass makes it truly a hidden gem in its category!

Sub-bass
The Sliivo SL41 MKII sub-bass presentation is less in quantity but leaves a mark when it does. Though the quantity may be more restrained, the quality, texture, and extension are quite spectacular at this price. The sub-bass feels more tight than loose, giving a well-appreciated feel to the sub-bass response, which, for many IEMs in this range, barely accomplishes.

This level of bass reproduction is usually found in higher-priced models such as the Soft ears Volume, but this Sliivo is $100 cheaper and does better in sub bass. Some may find this amount of bass too sparse, but for those who want subtle, clean sub-bass presence, it's ideal.

Mid-bass
The mid-bass performance of the Sliivo SL41 MKII is really amazing. Honestly, I did not expect it to sound this good. That thumping punch, those slams, sounds so prominent and fast. Dynamic, that is, for sure. The attacks are so fast that every note sounds crisp and impactful.

Adding to this, there's great body to the midbass. The target here isn't to be bass monster, instead the emphasis is on delivering an impressive and lightning-fast bass response, and the Sliivo nails this!



Male vocals
The male vocals are rich and clean, yet slightly on the leaner side, still very engaging to listen to. They sound full-bodied, meaning they are not scanty in their note weight. In the mix, these vocals really shine, being presented in a more upfront position, drawing one in.

Female vocals
Female vocals sound sweet, rich, and smooth, hence pleasing to listen to. They sound clean and forward, though some may prefer them to be more upfront. However, these IEMs are tuned very close to a neutral target, so little to complain about here. Like male vocals, they are well-bodied and also don't exhibit any sibilance issues that other similarly priced iem's show.

Instruments
The instruments sound very clear and clean, and in fact, rank among the best clarity I have ever heard within this price bracket-and even higher-up the scale on some more costly IEMs. They seem to hit that sweet spot where they do not sound too thin or too thick but are just right for a natural presentation. They're also quite forward in the mix, which is something many listeners including myself-are really appreciative of.

Treble
Treble is energetic, a real treat-a heaven for treble lovers. This is where the IEM truly shines: great extension, air that makes for a dynamic and engaging listen. Clarity is top-notch, details emerge with ease, and it's never sibilant; high-frequency sounds are crispy, yet never portrays any harshness.

The only drawback may be that all this energy can sometimes get overwhelming, especially for those who have been used to darker-sounding IEMs. This lively treble imbues the presentation of anything, from classical music to modern pop, with an exciting dimension; it outlines every note, every nuance in such a captivatingly immersive way.



Technicalities

Soundstage
The soundstage leaves me with mixed feelings. Generally speaking, it is wide enough, and you get this sense of space. You can really feel the depth on many tracks adding that extra layer to the music that is just nice to listen to. However, my only gripe is that the depth sometimes might sound a little ill, especially when more complex tracks are being played. Generally speaking, despite this shortfall, the sound stage is good enough.

Imaging
The imaging on this IEM is really great; it's impressively accurate, and you can pinpoint each element. Most notably, in complicated tracks, it makes a big difference to be able to distinguish each instrument with ease-a big plus. You are able to pinpoint on the nuances and subtleties that might have been lost with another IEM, therefore making for a more engaging listen. As a matter of fact, this IEM images way better than its competition, setting the bar high in its class.

Detail Retrieval
The other very strong point about this IEM is detail retrieval. It's able to catch an enormous amount of detail in the mix, and it reproduces every nuance and subtlety of sound marvelously clearly, making it indeed an immersive listening experience. Owning and trying many in this bracket, I confidently state that this stands out as one of the best. It does an exceptional job of revealing all the subtlety's in the music, making each listening session a treat. Be it the soft strumming of a guitar or the faintest background vocals, this IEM makes sure nothing goes unnoticed!

Sound Separation
Separation of sound on this Sliivo SL41 MKII is quite impressive; I've never found it to overlap or have any issues with separation, even in the most complex of tracks. Everything is distinct in its position to provide clear and enjoyable listening. This is nothing more than a beast in terms of separation, making intricate compositions feel cohesive yet allowing each instrument its time to shine on its own. Whether orchestral pieces or busy electronic tracks, the SL41 MKII handles them with aplomb.

Dynamics and Transient response
The dynamics of these IEMs are just fantastic, but most of all, what impressed me was the transient response. Having owned the S12 Pro and loving its speed, I have had a great opportunity to try many planars and fast dynamic driver IEMs under 300$, and this one beats them all. Impressively, its handling of fast sounds is out of this world for this price. Be it the the rapid plucking of strings or any other instruments played very fast, this IEM manages to portray everything very quick and doesn't lack behind or feel sluggish. It really sets the new benchmark in transient response in its category.



Pairing
I paired this IEM with the SpinFit W1 tips, and to me, it gave the best results. Comfort was increased as well as the seal. Clarity and detail retrieval became way better, turning every listening session into a more engaging one. Definitely, with this IEM, I will strongly advise picking up a pair of SpinFit W1 tips.



Conclusion
The Myer Audio Sliivo SL41 MKII is a real showstopper and overachiever in its class, providing a clean, neutral-to-slightly-bright sound signature, snappy bass, and sparkling treble. It provides exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and separation—qualities typically found in much higher-priced models. Its build quality is excellent; with a very comfortable fit for hours of use, and the included monocrystalline copper silver-plated cable adds a premium touch. Finally, with the SL41 MKII already showing outstanding dynamics and transient response for its price, it is an excellent choice for those seeking good performance with fair value.