Myer-Audio is a reputed company known for its premium craftsmanship and well-tuned IEMs. It has a very good acceptance in the audiophile community because they tuned their earphones with precision and detailed tuning at affordable prices. SLIVO SL41 MK2 is no exception here. Combining the single DD with four BA drivers, this IEM is capable of delivering a beautiful sound that will soothe a large range of music lovers. The bass region is fantastic, the midrange is textured and detailed, and the highs are so detailed that your music will find a new definition for sure. As you are here to know what it's all about in terms of its performance, will it quench what you need? From Them Sonic Mantra, I'm ARIFGRAPHY, and I'm here to put my thoughts and opinions regarding this awesome IEM. Let the journey begin!
MYER-AUDIO SLIVO SL41 MK2 Review
Once upon a time, there was a huge demand for single-driver IEMs among audiophiles. It is still there, to be very honest! But there is a big crowd now here to enjoy multiple drivers tuning. So this is getting very common now that most of the companies release hybrid driver setups. Now, here comes the Myer-Audio Slivo SL41 MK2 with a 1DD+4BA setup.
My first impression was, “It’s so clear!” And yes, it is. The high-frequency details are just awesome. I paired all of my DACs & DAPs with it and found a very consistent sound every time. It was meant to deliver a detailed sound. And Myer-Audio also supplied some good stuff inside their sleek & smart pack. The stock cable & ear tips are meant to pair with this IEM and aim to present the original tuning. But as usual, I shuffled cables & roll tips to retain some low frequencies. I will cover them up later in this review.
CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER
MYER-AUDIO was kind enough to send me the SLIVO to review. I am not affiliated with MYER-AUDIO and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘MYER-AUDIO SLIVO review’ are my subjective thoughts.
One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different sources. Your experience may vary because of personal preference and physical differences like the shape & depth of the ear canal.
For your personal purchase, checkout GEEK MART or MYER-AUDIO for their fantastic products and promotions (non-affiliated link).
GEAR USED
● DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Tempo Tac V3, iBasso DX180, Cayin N3 Ultra
● DAC: ifi Hip DAC 2, Cayin RU7, iBasso DC 04 Pro, Dunu DTC 480, Fosi Audio DS-1, Celest CD-10, Celest CD-20 Hidizs SD8 Pro Robin, Moondrop Dawn Pro.
● Smartphone: Poco X3
● Files: Spotify & local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
● Driver: 1DD + 4BA
● Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
● Impedance: 43Ω
● Sensitivity: 108dB
● Cable: Mono-crystalline copper silver-plated
● Pin Type: 2pin, 0.78mm
● Cable Length: 1.25M
● Plug Type: 3.5mm/ 4.4mm
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
● SLIVO SL41 MK2 IEMs
● Three pairs of silicon tips
● One pair of foam tips
● Mono-crystalline copper silver-plated cable (4.4mm plug)
● PU leather made IEM storage box with SLIVO branding
● Some official papers
UNBOXING EXPERIENCE
The box is smart, colored white with ‘SILOVO’ in black lettering. Upon opening it, you will find the IEMs nested quite securely on a foam cutout with the beautiful stock cable attached. Some users may find it very helpful, as many of us are fighting to attach two-pin cables, whether they are qdc style or not. The fantastic-looking and very useful carrying/storage case, with its rounded shape and blue color, is also there in another foam cutout. Inside this case, there are all the ear tips you need.
This is a very straightforward and sleek way to present your IEM to the customer. I like it!
BUILD & DESIGN
Another resign-made shell, another good-looking IEM—that’s what I will say about the Myer-Audio Slivo SL41 MK2. The IEMs are very well-built with resin, and the faceplate is in shades of blue with some slight wooden texture in it. The nozzles are made of metal and hold the ear tips very well. The supplied silicon tips are made from high-grade silicon and are soft. But I found that they make the tuning more bright.
The storage/carrying case is a fantastic touch. It looks premium and is made with PU leather with the ‘SLIVO’ branding, and the zipper is also smooth. Now my favorite one is the stock cable. This is not just a regular stock cable; this is something gorgeous! It is thick but so soft and comfortable. But this cable is also meant to deliver the original sharp & detailed sound, which I shuffled to make the sound a bit thicker!
FIT & COMFORT
The Slivo SL41 MK2 fits and sits very well in the ear. Due to its lightweight resin shells, it didn’t feel uncomfortable even in my longer listening sessions. The part of the shell that sits inside the ear is smooth, and it has good ergonomics that enhance comfort. Silicon tips are very soft and go well with the sound signature. It seals well and makes a good isolation, but not the best isolation you could expect. Nozzles are medium in length and hold the ear tips well, which also brings good comfort.
The stock cable is so soft; I already mentioned it, right? It is a quiet cable that has almost no microphonics, and it’s also a tangle-free one. These things will make your audio experience very enjoyable because the whole package is really comfortable.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
With crispy details and clarity in mind, Myer-Audio Slivo SL41 MK2 tuned it in a manner that brings out the midrange sounds so lively. The specialty of this IEM, in my point of view, is the textured and detailed high frequencies. Though the frequency graph shows a good amount of lower region, in reality, this section is the weakest part of this IEM.
If you take a good look at the high-frequency peaks, you will understand that this kind of tuning, where the low is at the perfect ballpark in the Harman 2019 target and the ups have a good elevation, will deliver a very controlled low region with all the details in the upper area. Here is the frequency graph (courtesy: audiosmith sguig link)-
Let’s dive deep…
SUB-BASS
Sub-bass perfectly fits on the Harman target. This can be adequate for some, and on the other hand, some warm-headed people like me will crave more. This is audible and has a good presence, but due to the lack of elevation in the low region, the sub-bass on the Slivo SL41 MK2 is not that enjoyable for me. I tried different cables, tips, & sources to bring out a bit more body. But I failed every time, except with the ifi Hip DAC2 with the ‘X-Bass’ turned on.
Some sub-bass heavy tracks, like “Every Breath You Take” by Police or “A Different Corner” by George Michael, show the capability of delivering low region. But it’s obvious in tracks where sub-bass rules the composition, right? And in the case where the sub-bass is normal, not heavy, it fails to deliver it with a good body, and I lost the whole enjoyment of my music. I love sub-bass, not like bass-heads, but I love it. It lacks here, and I miss it the most.
MID-BASS
The mid-bass has a distinct texture and good detail. This is the strongest part of SL41 MK2 when it comes to the bass region. It is fast and has good speed in it. Due to their textured presentation, progressive rocks and heavy metal are an orgasm for the ear. You won’t miss a kick when the drummer hits the paddle fast. It doesn’t get muddy, not for a single bit! The presentation is full-bodied and rounded with good impact that mid-bass lovers like!
In “Dance of Eternity” by Dream Theater, this IEM shows its capability of handling mid-bass. It stays in its own place with fantastic textures and never overwhelms the upper frequencies. But I miss the warmth in mid-bass. To me, it felt very nice but also dry, as the lower region lacks some warmth. A little bit of warmth can make a big change!
VOCALS
MALE
As the mids come out with fantastic clarity, the vocal should sound good & natural, right? Yes, it is, but with a little cavity in male vocals. Let’s talk about the bright side first. While listening to Mark Knopfler, what I usually do to test any IEM to measure the warmth and thickness of male vocals, I found the male vocal presentation of Slivo SL41 MK2 fantastic. It shows its ability by delivering really textured and clear male vocals. Every nuance comes out right with good details. The clarity is too awesome to enjoy. I went through the whole discography of Mark Knopfler with it.
Now here comes the dark part; the tune misses a bit of warmth. I love the meaty, warm male vocals, as they bring out the true emotion of the song. But here with SL41 MK2, it is more to the analytical side, not musical, warm, and relaxed. Those who love clarity over meaty presentation and are lovers of sharp, textured male vocals will love it any day!
FEMALE
This is the superstar for female vocal lovers. This IEM is capable of producing very clear and shiny female vocals. The listener will feel the power of the music with every note, whether it’s low or high. The texture in the vocals will spice up your listening experience and will give you utter satisfaction. While listening to powerful vocals like Alanis Morissette, I can clearly hear the details in her voice, with proper power and texture. As the midrange lacks warmth a bit, it helps to shine the upper midrange to its fullest and take the enjoyment to the next level.
But keep in mind, you people who are sensitive to shiny, spicy female vocals; it will give you fatigue in long listening sessions. I can manage to listen to 3/4 female performances in a row. And if you are like me, then vocals like Barbara Streisand, Celine Deon, and Laura Branigan better not be on your playlist. But if you love this kind of sharp & crispy presentation, it will be your very own IEM to enjoy!
INSTRUMENTS SEPARATION
In one word, ‘fantastic,’ when it comes to instrument separation in Myer-Audio Slivo SL42 MK2. The detailed midrange presentation played a good role here. It can separate different instruments playing a particular note with a single tune with ease. Especially the string instruments feel so lively and well separated due to the superb midrange tuning.
While listening to ‘Eclipse’ by Pink Floyd, I can feel the distance between different instruments. While the electric guitar and the keyboards play together and are well synchronized, this IEM can produce this melody in a very different manner. You can easily differentiate each tone & note and also tell which one is from guitars and which one is from keyboards. They don’t feel muddy or poorly blended. It can cause some problems for certain listeners who don’t love that kind of critical listening
TREBLE
I personally don’t like spicy treble; rather, I love airy ones. Here, in Slivo SL41 MK2, the treble has fantastic textures. If you read the frequency graph, you can see this clearly there. It is well-extended and has lots of air in it. Moreover, it has great details with a juicy texture. No, it’s not that spicy to create fatigue, but it stays well-extended and tamed. How they do it, I don’t know; but it is what it is, right? The spark in the upper midrange complimented it well enough to brighten up the texture in a very melodic manner.
While listening to my favorite heavy metal band, Metallica, the music came out just right. Larce Ulric’s open hi-hat presented so smoothly with good extension in this IEM. It feels lively and original; that gave me goosebumps. The high-pitched guitar riffs come alive with every detail. Even the finger movement over the fretboard is audible. But those people who love darkness in high frequency or love a bit of dullness in treble may find it not very enjoyable. Even sometimes I also feel this presentation a little fatiguing when the track is full of high-pitched sound.
SOUNDSTAGE
To be very honest, it is moderated. It is not super wide but not congested, and I wasn’t quite prepared for this kind of soundstage experience that it offered. The well-separated instrument will present a sense of space that will give you a sensation of a wide soundstage. This is brilliant when you cover up one thing with another. If the separation isn’t that good, you will feel the stage is tiny. The soundstage is spacious but intimate—like the music is all around you but never far away.
Listening to the jazz performance of the Jazz King, BB King, I could pinpoint the place easily. The saxophone to my right, a soft piano towards the back with some trumpets beside, and the drums are playing somewhere closer to the center. Even when the composition gets busier, the Slivo SL41 MK2 holds every instrument in its own space without losing clarity. This quality presentation makes it feel less like hearing music and more like experiencing it.
TECHNICALITIES
DYNAMICS
The tracks where there are lots of quite-to-loud shifts, like “I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) from Meatloaf, the SL41 MK2 captures those changes naturally. This kind of dynamic presentation makes the listening experience enjoyable. The sound has a lot of good punch and doesn’t feel compressed or flat.
SPEED
This IEM has a very good quick response, especially in fast-paced music. The tight and rounded midrange plays a good role here. In some progressive rock tracks where busy drum patterns and bass lines can get lost in slower earphones, the Slivo SL41 MK2 tells a different story by handling each rapid beat and pluck with impressive precision.
ANALYTICS
Every time I listen to this IEM, I notice new micro-details. like soft breath before a vocal line or the faint finger slide on a guitar string. It’s like having a magnifying glass over the music. The analytical details in this earphone add so much depth to the listening experience. It is more like re-exploring your music and hearing parts you might never have noticed before.
SOURCES
Sources are to provide power and give you a good/bad synergy that can bring out the potential or the weaknesses of the IEM. I will divide this section into two sub-sections. Now let’s jump in right away.
POWER
With 43Ω impedance and 108dB sensitivity, it is an easy derivable IEM, despite its sophisticated configuration of 1DD+4BA. I connect it directly to the 3.5mm audio jack on my smart phone, and it works! But when I pair it with my DAC collection, I find the quality difference in sound to be huge. So, powering it up is easy, but a DAC or DAP can bring out the real hero that lies inside this Slivo SL41 MK2.
In my testing, what I hear from the smartphone output is nothing close to what I hear when I attach it with my DACs or DAPs. And I need to turn the volume up to 80% to hear perfectly from my smartphone, where it takes just 40-45% volume of my DACs to achieve the same hearing level. So, power is a major fact here!
SYNERGY
It paired well with all of the sources I tested. It matched the sound signature of the source well but holds its own position by providing its original deatiled and textured sound. It is visible with some balanced DACs like Dunu DTC480 & Celest CD10. Slightly warm sources like Fosi Audio DS-1, iBasso DC04 Pro, Cyine RU7, etc., the sound didn’t change drastically.
But the magic happened with the ifi Hip DAC-2, as it turns the whole spectrum a bit warm. But when I turned the ‘X-Bass’ on, I just blew away how the sub-bass area elevated super well while maintaining the clarity & details in mids & high frequencies. This is a personal choice, and you are welcome to try different sources of your liking.
CABLE & TIP ROLLING
When I test any IEM, I spend a lot of time shuffling cables and ear tips, as the change in sound is audible to my ears. Myer-Audio Slivo SL41 MK2 is tuned with midrange & upper-frequency details in mind, which makes the lower part a bit dry. Using a pure copper cable or OCC cable may bring up a bit of warmth in the overall tune. I used some custom-made copper cables, Dunu Lyra mini, & NiceHCK Mixpp and found the result satisfactory.
I roll tips for the same reason: to bring up warmth and to make the sub-bass more audible. I have a healthy collection of ear tips, and I tried Dunu S&S, Candy, Spinfit Omni, W1, and Penon Liqueur (orange & black) with it, and among all of these, the Penon Liqueur (orange) gave me the warmth that I’m looking for. They have very good seal and isolation, with fantastic comfort in longer sessions.
RECOMMENDED FOR
● Mid budget audiophiles
● Who loves mid-bass
● Powerful female vocal lovers
● People who love detailed upper frequencies
● Who loves spacious soundstage
● Analytical listeners
NOT FOR
● Bass heads
● Who loves sub-bass over mid-bass
● Those who love warm male vocals
● Warm & relaxed tuning lovers
● Who are sensitive to upper frequencies
CONCLUSION
When it comes to choosing IEMs, we always depend on our liking, and it’s totally normal. But for me, it’s not… ha ha ha! Sometimes I buy and keep IEMs that don’t go well with my tuning preferences. Why? Because of their distinct characteristics. The Myer-Audio Slivo SL41 MK2 falls in this section. I love warm tuning with a balanced midrange and airy, extended treble, and this IEM is not a warm one but rather dry. But its crazy details and extended high frequency with good texture all over make it something very valuable to keep, if you consider the price!
Yes, it has its cavities and drawbacks in the sub-bass and vocal areas that I don’t like. But my trusted old friend ifi Hip DAC-2 can ease those problems and can make them fuller with good body & warmth. If you love the critical and analytical type of listening but don’t want to spend a lot on high-end gear, this one is for you at an affordable price of US $170-180. But if you love warm and dark tuning or are a bass-head, this SL41 MK2 is not your cup of tea anyway!
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