Myer Audio SLIVO SLA3 Review: A Superstar

Meyar Audio SLIVO SLA3 Review

I’ve tested various IEMs from Myer-Audio till now, and their tuning is really awesome. I remember the crystal-clean sound of the D62 and the detailed, spacious sound of the SL41. Now the new IEM that hits the market with a price point of $140 is a way different approach than the previous ones from the company. The previous ones that I’ve tested lack the proper warmth in the sub-bass region. But this one is not. Man, this SLA3 has a fantastic, tasteful sub-bass region with a lot of ‘woomf’ in it.

It pairs very well with all of the sources I own. From an entry-level DAC like the Moondrop Dawn Pro to the legendary Cayin RU7, it matched like a magnet. Its lush, warm sound makes the listening session enjoyable. And the package is jam-packed with everything you need. The supplied cable and ear tips are of good quality. You don’t need to pay extra for aftermarket cables or ear tips. Ain’t it a good news?

DISCLAIMER

MYER AUDIO was kind enough to send me the SLIVO SLA3 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 SLA3 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 and depth of the ear canal.

For your personal purchase, checkout GEEK MART or MYER AUDIO for their fantastic products and promotions (non-affiliated links).

GEAR USED

●   DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Cayin N3 Ultra, Hiby R4, iBasso DX180, Tempo Tac V3.
●   DAC/AMP: xDuoo MT-604, KAEI Design TAP2, ifi Hip DAC 2, xDuoo XD-05 Plus (with BB OPA 2604), Cayin RU7, iBasso DC04 Pro, Dunu DTC 480, Fosi Audio DS-1, Celest CD-10, Celest CD-20, Hidizs SD8 Pro Robin, Moondrop Dawn Pro.
●   Smart Device: Poco X3, Xiaomi MiPad 5.
●   Files: Tidal, Spotify, local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

● Driver: 1DD+ 3BA
● Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
● Impedance: 40Ω
● Sensitivity: 107 dB
● Cable: Pure Hand-Braided High-Purity Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable
● Pin Type: 2pin, 0.78mm
● Cable Length: 1.2m
● Plug Type: 4.4mm

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

● SLA3 IEMs
● High-Purity Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable (interchangeable)
● 3.5mm SE & 4.4mm balanced plug
● 3 pairs of nerrow bore silicon tips (S,M,L) & 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
● Carrying case
● Some official papers

UNBOXING EXPERIENCE

Unboxing the Myer Audio SLIIVO SLA3 was quite the experience. The box itself is black with blue and gold splashes—looks nice. Sliding off the sleeve, you’re greeted with the SLA3 IEMs snug in foam cutouts, and right below them, a leather carrying case. The case is well-made with nice stitching and a soft interior, though a tad small if you’re thinking of tossing in a dongle DAC alongside the IEMs. ​

Inside the case, you find a selection of eartips: black narrow-bore silicone tips, white and turquoise tilting silicone tips reminiscent of SpinFits, and memory foam tips for better noise isolation. The cable is one of the standout features. It’s thicker, brown, and high-quality, featuring a screw-down modular system for easy swapping between 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors. This is a solid upgrade over previous friction-fit systems, ensuring a more secure connection. ​

BUILD & DESIGN

Inspired by Aurora Borealis, the SLA3’s design is a real eye-catcher. The faceplate shines and it also changes its color at different angles. Constructed with high quality resin with a silver metal nozzle, it is robust yet lightweight and will give you a premium feel. The nozzles are on the larger side, but they hold the ear tips securely. The beautiful cable is a very well braided high purity single-crystal copper-silver plated one in brown color with interchangeable termination. The terminations are screw-type, like the one we see in Dunu’s recent cables. This is something fantastic.

The carrying case is round-shaped and made of PU leather. This is very well-built and nice looking one. Though the space inside is a bit congested! The supplied silicon and foam ear tips are of very high quality, especially the silicon ones.

FIT & COMFORT

The moment I popped the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3 into my ears, I knew these were built for comfort. The shells got this smooth, rounded shape that just kinda melts into your ears, no weird pressure points or awkward fit issues. At first, I thought they might be a little chunky, but damn, they sit nice and secure without needing constant readjustment. Even after a couple of hours of listening, no ear fatigue, no irritation, just straight-up comfort.

The nozzles are a bit on the bigger side, so if you got smaller ears, you might need to play around with the eartips a bit. But once you find the right pair, these things lock in like they were made just for you. Perfect for long jam sessions without that “get-these-outta-my-ears” kinda feeling.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

Now, let’s talk about the sound. The bass dives deep, delivering a punch that’s both tight and controlled, thanks to that 10mm bio-diaphragm dynamic driver. Mids come through clear and natural, making vocals and instruments shine without overshadowing each other. The treble? Smooth and easy on the ears, avoiding that harshness that can lead to fatigue. It’s a tuning that’s both engaging and non-fatiguing, making you want to keep the music going.​

Here is the frequency graph:

Let’s dive deep…

SUB-BASS

The first time I played a bass-heavy track on the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I was kinda expectin’ the usual—either too boomy or too weak. But man, this thing hits different. The sub-bass rumbles deep, real deep, but without gettin’ messy or overpowering the rest of the sound. It’s got that controlled, textured feel, where you can actually hear the layers instead of just a muddy thump.

I threw on “Why So Serious?” from The Dark Knight soundtrack, and when that deep sub-bass note kicked in, it felt like the sound was just vibratin’ through my chest—without drownin’ out the eerie details in the background. It ain’t the type of bass that slaps you in the face, but rather sneaks up on you, rumbles just right, and disappears clean. If you love deep, well-defined lows that don’t mess up the mids, the Slivo SLA3 nails it.

MID-BASS

The mid-bass on this Myer Audio Slivo SLA3 packs quite a punch without goin’ overboard. It has this great control and some real good weight to it and never spills into mids. When I turned up “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, this iconic bassline was great and really clean with just enough thump and not enough to drown out everything else in the mix.

Drums feel snappy and alive, kick drums got that proper thump, but it ain’t the kind that overwhelms the rest of the track. It’s got that natural body, makin’ bass guitars sound full and textured instead of just a muddy mess. If you like your bass fast, well-controlled, but still got that satisfying punch, the Slivo SLA3 mid-bass does the job real nice.

VOCALS

MALE

The second I heard “Hurt” by Johnny Cash on the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I knew that this IEM had somethin’ special goin’ on with male vocals. Cash’s voice was deep, raw, emotional, as if he was sitting right in front of me. Warmth in the lower mids provides male vocals with that natural, heavy feel, without making ’em sound bloated or too thick.

Even on songs like Eagles’ “Hotel California,” vocals aren’t jumbled up or lost beneath the instruments. You can make out all the nuance—the soft grit, the breath, the way the words just kinda slide along effortlessly. It ain’t too forward or in-your-face, but honest and natural-soundin’, the way voices should sound. If you like smooth, rich male vocals with just enough depth, the Slivo SLA3’s got you covered.

FEMALE

The moment Roxette’s “Fading Like a Flower” began to pipe through the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I was convinced—that this IEM gets female vocals right. The vocals of Marie Fredriksson were breathy, clean, and alive, floating above all else without going hot or thin whatever was needed after. There’s natural sweetness in the upper mids where female vocals are great, yet none of the harshness some IEMs are beset with.

Even on Adele’s “Someone Like You”, where the vocals got a lot of emotion and dynamic shifts, the SLA3 handled it beautifully. The breathiness, the little details in her voice, the way it builds up—it all felt so real. It ain’t overly pushed forward but sits just right in the mix, makin’ every note sound effortless yet full of presence. If you love female vocals that sound clear, emotional, and smooth without any sibilance, the Slivo SLA3 definitely delivers.

INSTRUMENTS SEPARATION

The first time I played “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve on the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I just sat back and listened—really listened. The way this IEM handles instrument separation is kinda impressive. That iconic string section swells up, but instead of blendin’ into a wall of sound, each layer stays clear and distinct. The violins, the guitars, the drums—they all got their own space, yet everything feels connected.

Even on more complex tracks like “Bohemian Rhapsody”, where there’s a ton of stuff goin’ on, the SLA3 keeps things organized and easy to follow. You can pick out the piano sittin’ in the background, the layered harmonies, and even those tiny details like the soft cymbal hits. Nothing feels cramped, nothing gets lost—it’s like the IEM just knows how to let every instrument breathe. If you love hearin’ all the details without the mix turnin’ into a mess, the Slivo SLA3’s separation game is on point.

TREBLE

The moment I played “The Unforgiven II” by Metallica on the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I knew the treble was gonna be somethin’ special. The acoustic guitar in the intro? Crisp, airy, and full of detail—none of that weird metallic harshness some IEMs tend to have. Where cymbals crashed into each other, there was only this nice shimmer on them without splashing or ringing your ears even once. It’s a treble with elegance about it, enough to gift a splash of shine without having to adjust the volume control.

Even on tracks such as Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” where vocals and hi-hats occupy treble space utterly, everything still feels smooth and natural sounding. No weird sibilance, no sharp peaks—just a nice, detailed top end that keeps things lively without fatiguing your ears. If you like clear, well-extended treble that brings out the details without goin’ overboard, the Slivo SLA3 definitely gets it right.

SOUNDSTAGE

The first time I played “This Is Goodbye” by Mark Knopfler (The Real Live Roadrunning concert version) on the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I could feel the space open up wider than I expected. The moment that guitar started ringin’ out, it wasn’t just comin’ from inside my head—it felt like it was floating in front of me, real and alive. Knopfler’s voice sat right in the middle, while the instruments stretched out to the sides, giving everything its own space to breathe.

When the crowd kicked in, it really felt like I was standing right there in the concert, hearing every little cheer and echo from the stage. It ain’t the biggest, most holographic soundstage ever, but for an IEM, it’s got that open, spacious feel that makes live recordings sound way more immersive. If you like your music to have a sense of space instead of feelin’ cramped and closed-in, the Slivo SLA3 delivers a soundstage that’s natural and engaging.

TECHNICALITIES

The Myer Audio Slivo SLA3 ain’t just about pretty looks or comfy fit—it’s got some serious technical chops too. The first thing that hit me was the dynamics—this IEM knows how to go from soft whispers to full-blown energy in a snap. I played “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, and when that quiet intro built up into the explosive climax, the Slivo SLA3 handled it beautifully, capturing every shift in volume without losin’ detail.

Then there’s the speed—man, this thing keeps up real well with fast, complex tracks. I threw on “Bleed” by Meshuggah, just to see if it could keep up with that insane double-kick pattern, and it didn’t even flinch. No smearing, no muddiness, just tight, controlled attack and decay. You can really feel the precision.

And when it comes to analytics, the SLA3 got that ability to pull out all the little details in a mix without soundin’ too clinical. I could hear the tiny breaths between vocal lines, the fingers sliding on guitar strings, the little background elements that most IEMs just gloss over. It’s like the music was tellin’ me secrets I never noticed before. If you want an IEM that’s got both energy and precision, without sacrificing musicality, the Slivo SLA3 gets the job done.

SOURCES

The Myer Audio Slivo SLA3 ain’t one of those power-hungry IEMs, but man, it sure loves a good source. I first plugged it straight into my phone, and yeah, it sounded decent—clean, balanced, but kinda lacked that extra kick. Then I hooked it up to a dongle DAC with a bit more power, and boom—the bass hit harder, the details popped more, and everything just felt more alive.

With a warm source, like the iFi Hip-DAC, the SLA3 gets a bit more body in the mids and a smoother treble, makin’ it real nice for relaxed listening. But when I tried it with a neutral or brighter DAC, like the Moondrop Dawn Pro, the clarity and separation got even better, though the highs felt a touch more energetic. Pair it with a source that’s got clean power and good dynamics, like Fosi Audio DS1, iBasso DC04 Pro or Cayin RU7 and you’ll really hear what this IEM can do. It don’t need a desktop amp or anything crazy, but feed it well, and it’ll reward you with a much more engaging sound.

CABLE & TIP ROLLING

Man, you don’t need it… you definitely don’t need it. Just plug the stock accessories, and you are ready to explore your favorite music library. Rock on!

FINAL THOUGHTS

After spendin’ some good time with the Myer Audio Slivo SLA3, I gotta say—it’s one of those IEMs that just grow on you the more you listen. At first, I was thinkin’, “Alright, another well-tuned set,” but man, the way it balances warmth, clarity, and detail makes it stand out.Bass is tight and deep, natural richness in mids, treble’s crisp but not hard—it’s just right.

It’s not about raining insane technicalities down your grill—it’s about music sounding natural and compelling. If what you’re after is something smooth, articulated, and just downright pleasant to listen to over and over again, well, the Slivo SLA3’s worth checking out, definitely.

RECOMMENDED FOR

● Balanced sound lovers.
● Warm heads.
● Vocal lovers.
● Fan of layed back tuning.
● Marathon listeners.
● Seeks detaild sound on a budget.

NOT FOR

● Bass heads.
● People who want extreme energy.
● Treble junkies.
● Analytical listeners.
● People with small ears.

You can read other reviews HERE.