Myer Audio, another rising underdog in the vast ocean of ChFi and they are jumping in with products that made heads turn. They might be relatively unknown but with great multi-driver releases such as the CKLVX and SLIIVO series, they are able to garner some fans for their amazing performance with a great build quality all at a rather reasonable price.
Recently I have contacted them for a sample of their product and they have gladly sent us a pair of the SLIIVO SLA3 IEM for an honest take and we are grateful for the opportunity. The SLA3 priced at circa 100USD is a hybrid that consists of a single dynamic with 3 balanced armatures and the moment I received it, I was in awe especially with the quality accessories that came with it but how will they perform in this saturated pool of hybrids? We shall find out here.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the Myer Audio SLIIVO SLA3;
- RRP: 103 USD
- Driver Configuration: 10MM custom DD * 1 + KNOWLES custom BA * 2 + custom BA * 1
- Impedance: 40Ω
- Sensitivity: 107dB
- Cable: monocrystalline copper high-purity silver-plated wire detachable upgrade cable 4 strands diameter of about 5MM
- Cable length: 1.25M with tolerance
- Plug: support double pin 0.78MM can be converted plug 3.5MM +4.4MM
- Plug material: 3u gold-plated plugs
The Myer Audio SLIIVO SLA3 can be purchased at their official store at AliExpress and many other platforms globally.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008444237410.html
Packaging & Accessories
This is where I do feel the SLA3 impresses, while the packaging is standard with an beautiful artsy design, the accessories included are actually top notch that punches way above their asking price. Upon opening the box, we are greeted with the IEM head with the casing also displayed at the bottom and they are a small zippered leather case that is premium to say the least and they are a practical case as they are pocketable. The cable is fixed on the IEM and they are a high quality 4 core OCC modular cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm heads. There are 3 types of eartips included with a pair of foam eartips and 2 types of silicone eartips in 3 sizes where one type being similar to the Sony silicone eartips. The quality packaging and accessories does increase the value of these IEM rarely seen in this price range.
Design
Now on the design, the SLA3 is a 3D printed medical grade resin with blue iridescent plates underneath the faceplate with a polished, glossy finish that has a 3D depth to them. Myer Audio has stated that they based the design on the famous northern lights, the aurora borealis. The edges are adorned with metal and covered with clear resin. The shape of the IEM is a CIEM ergonomics based shape but in a smaller profile and they are slightly oval that fits even smaller ears.
Inside of the SLA3 is a classic hybrid that consists of 1 dynamic with 3 balanced armatures. The dynamic is a 10mm composite bio diaphragm and 3 balanced armatures where 2 of them from Knowles with a single custom made armature all in a 3 way crossover tuning. The front nozzle is metal based fitted with metal mesh to prevent moisture and dust entering. Nozzle size is slightly bigger with a maximum of 6.5mm diameter with a medium length.
There are 2 vent holes with 1 pin hole situated at the inner side for pressure relief and a rather bigger back vent hole for the dynamic driver with plastic mesh covering near the 2pin ports. No driver flex is present and they are a well.vented set with average isolation.
The connectors are a rarely used recessed 2 pin 0.78mm and they have a good tight fit but some flush 2 pin cables might fit shallow.
Cable here is a 4 core Ohno Continuous Casting cable that is soft and pliable with a good thickness. They are a screw-in modular type of termination with 3.5mm and 4.4mm heads and the cable quality is top notch, probably the best in this price range. The cable matches the SLA3 well as they have a warm, thick sound that is clean and clear across the whole spectrum. The positive pole of the 2 pins weirdly is slightly painted in red at the right side and blue on the left side
Gears Used for Comparisons
FiiO Q7
Moondrop MIAD01
Questyle M15
Qudelix T71
Hiby FC6
Hidizs S9 Pro
Hidizs S8 Pro
Kiwi Ears Airoso
Sony N3AP
Dunu Luna
Tigerism Dark Magician Revised
Intime Sho DD
BQEYZ Frost
Moji Monica Lostland
Letshuoer EJ09
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the SLA3 is a neutral with a good tonal balance that has an emphasis on the bass region particularly the sub-bass and they do have a warm, smooth, inoffensive overall tone producing a lively, fatigue free listening experience while still having a good presence in the high range. They have amazing technicalities that are competitive in this price range and have superb overall details with energetic lows alongside a thick, full-bodied sound. Dynamic range is wide and all the drivers are tuned to give a cohesive sound that has no gaps or hollowness.
Soundstage
The soundstage here is great as they are able to give a good width and decent height in most situations. The soundstage here is slightly on the intimate side but they are still capable of giving a good amount of headroom without any boxiness. Air here is great on the lower region but quite average on the high range as the highs do roll off slightly early. Accuracy on the soundstage is good with a good 3D, holographic soundstage that makes pinpointing sound easy. The soundstage here is also suitable for movies and gaming as for their accuracy alongside an immersive sound.
Separation and Timbre
Separation is good and they are well tuned hybrids that all the drivers seem to work harmoniously although still isn’t as good as a single dynamic driver, they do sound quite close. Frequency range width is decent and they extend well especially on the low range. The left to right separation has a full stereo sound that possesses no crosstalk issues and sounds great with balanced or unbalanced outputs. They have a mellow, rich and thick timbre that sounds natural with no infamous balanced armature timbre.
Drivability
Rated at 40 ohms with a 107 db sensitivity, they are an easily driven IEM but they do need a slightly louder volume than usual to reach normal loudness. A simple dongle will be sufficient for them and a higher output source does give some benefits but marginally. Their scalability here is average and they sound mostly the same with whichever source which makes them great for casual usage but not so much for critical listening albeit still possible. Their transparency here is good and they do show the music as intended without any major alterations and they do show flaws in bad recordings but not minor flaws which makes the SLA3 not really suited for monitoring purposes.
The Bass (Low)
The bass on the SLA3 is a boosted bass that is quite the dominant part of the overall presentation. It has a healthy mid-bass lift that isn’t overpowering nor having any bleed. The bass has a meaty, authoritative signature and it possesses a good pace that handles complicated tracks with ease. The overall bass is quite natural, albeit boosted and has an organic sound that is just jovial to listen to, staying true to a dynamic driver bass. Details and clarity here is great with good imaging alongside a well textured bass without any bloat nor muddiness. Impact here is satisfying especially with EDM tracks and they are able to resolve well with a clean bass decay that has great extension to give the low region a touch of airiness. Sub-bass amount is north of being neutral with a slightly stronger than usual rumble and they actually complements the mid-bass lift well without any hollowness present. The bass might suit some bassheads for the big amount of slam and rumble but not so much for purists who seek an accurate amount of bass.
The Mids
The midrange here is a slightly forward midrange that has a warm and intimate sound signature that is highly musical with a thick, lush sound that blends well with the boosted lows. The mids here do lean towards the lower mids instead of the upper mids and the brilliance here is rather low but they are smooth with a rather laid-back sound signature that focuses towards a deep, intimate and immersive sound while still having a good amount of space. Details here are good especially with the macro side with an average micro details retrieval but clarity here is superb as the overall mids is presented in a clean and clear manner. Resolution here is vivid and does possess a dose of colouration giving the midrange a sweeter, lusher sound especially with vocals but in return, transparency is average as with some tracks they do sound a tad thicker and coloured. Vocals are deep, intimate and have a good amount of soul that suits male vocals very well but for female vocals, they tend to slightly lack in brilliance that gives female vocals a livelier sound. Instrumentals sounded mostly great and the SLA3 does work very well with classicals.
The Highs
The high range here is a neutral type of highs with a healthy amount of peak at the 8 to 10khz region and they are smooth and inoffensive without being too polite or hollow. Details and clarity here is great with a clean sparkle with a dab of crisp decay alongside a good pace that has some energy. This type of high range actually does suit treble sensitive users as they aren’t too peaky and have no sibilance issues suiting for long listening sessions that are fatigue free. Extension here is actually average and they do tend to roll off slightly early that makes some tracks high range decay a tad fast and they might lack air for certain genres especially with warm sources but pairing it with brighter source will eliminate these problems albeit marginally. The good traits of these highs is the timbre is actually pretty good for a balanced armature driver as they are natural, smooth and free of any weird metallic timbre. Treble here is rather balanced with being too smooth and they do have a clear high range that does not incur any harshness.
Comparisons
VS Kiwi Ears Airoso (129 USD)
The Kiwi Ears Airoso is a 1 dynamic with 4 balanced armatures setup and they are a well balanced pair of IEM that has a rather unique tuning that produces a smooth, intimate sound signature that has a great amount of air. They do cost slightly more than the SLA3 partly due to the extra balanced armature but the SLA3 accessories are just better in terms of the modular cable and the leather case. Both have a similar neutral tone but the SLA3 has a slightly darker tone with a thicker overall sound that has more immersiveness.
The high range on both is very similar with a smooth treble that is inoffensive and fatigue free but the extension seems to be better on the Airoso. Details do lean on the Airoso but clarity seems similar with a clean and crisp high range alongside adequate sparkle. Both of these sets don’t have a balanced armature timbre which is great.
Midranges on the SLA3 sounded thicker and warmer but they do have the emphasis on the lower region instead of the more balanced Airoso. Space in the mids on the Airoso does have more space and air. Details and clarity is a tad better on the Airoso. Vocals on SLA3 are sweeter and lusher while the Airoso has better transparency due to the less coloration. Both resolve vividly but the SLA3 does sound more fun while the Airoso sound more natural.
Bass quantity on the SLA3 is greater as they are boosted lows with a bigger mid bass lift that gives more thump and meat into the bass while the Airoso bass is more accurate with a more natural amount. Sub-bass amounts on the SLA3 have a deeper rumble and extend better. Pace on the bass is similar with a slow roll off that makes the overall bass have a good presence.
Soundstage on the Airoso is better and the air on the high range is better while headroom is rather similar with no boxiness.
My pick: Airoso for more accuracy, SLA3 for a more enjoyable listening
VS Sony N3AP (350 USD)
The classic hybrid from the land of the sun Japan, Sony and the N3AP is touted as being the best value IEM from them. Equipped with 1 dynamic and a single balanced armature, they possess the house sound of sony of being slightly dark with big bass and a good amount in the sub-bass suitable for mainstream users as well as audiophiles alike. They do cost around 3 times the price of the SLA3 mostly due to their name and the packaging, accessories and build is better on the SLA3, so the value of the product certainly goes to the SLA3.
High regions on both are similar with a laid-back style but the treble isn’t as low on the N3AP. Extension is slightly better on the N3AP but details, clarity and sparkle is better on the SLA3.
Midrange on the N3AP is warmer and gives a lusher sound. SLA3 does have a thicker midrange that is richer with a slightly more forward sound while the N3AP has more space with a more balanced mids with a more natural sound. Details and clarity does sound better on the SLA3 with clearer macro details.
Bass quantity on is similar but the midbass of the SLA3 is bigger and has a tighter slam but with similar extensions. Sub-bass amount does go to the N3AP with a stronger rumble. Details and clarity on both are on par with each other here but texture sounds slightly better on the SLA3
The soundstage on N3AP is wider and taller marginally with similar headroom
My pick : Both are equally enjoyable but the value of the SLA3 is way better.
Synergy
For synergy, it mostly comes down to preferences as for me personally I would love a stronger highs to complete the bass driven SLA3 and they do improve very well with sources like Sabre or any bright signature sources producing better brilliance and giving a better bite into the music. A warm source will give the SLA3 even more smoothness but may sound a little too coloured and too laid-back for my liking. A simple dongle will actually do it justice as they do not scale up significantly but a better quality or mastered track will increase their overall details well. The SLA3 suit a wide range of genres from EDM, vocals, instrumentals and even metal for their ability to handle busy tracks but for female acoustics, they tend to lack some upper mids brilliance.
Good pairing
FiiO BTR7, FiiO Q7, FiiO KA5, Qudelix T71, Moondrop MIAD01, Questyle M15, 7HZ Artemis39
Not so good pairing
Hiby FC6, EPZ TP35, Hidizs S8 Pro
Who Is It For?
The SLIIVO SLA3 is my personal recommended product at 100 USD combines sound performance with quality and value all into 1 package. People who want a capable bass response without sacrificing overall sound quality will love this product. Trebleheads might find the early roll off of the treble a little unappetizing but bassheads will find these interesting especially the sub-bass. It is also very suited for casual listeners for their easy to drive nature and they have a full-bodied, rich timbre that makes music more fun to listen to but isn’t too great for professional usage. The SLA3 also is a great IEM for gaming and movies for their immersiveness and accurate sound placements. They play well with most genres especially with EDM, metal, vocals, hip-hop and modern pop but might be too smooth for certain female vocals.
Final words
Myer Audio has certainly impressed me with the SLA3 and the value they bring to the table is just amazing. The included accessories like the cable and leather case are quite unheard of in this price range while still possessing a high quality sound signature that is competent in their price range. Their fun sound signature with the bass boosted tastefully is just enjoyable suiting a wide range of users but isn’t too great of an IEM for professional usage. The early roll off of the treble is a minor setback but in return, we do get a smooth, inoffensive sound that is fatigue free. All that being said, the SLIIVO SLA3 is truly a product of great value and sound quality and they are indeed a recommended product in this audiophile scene.
I would rate this product a solid 4 and a half stars for their sound quality in their price range.
Pros
- Good build, nicely designed with an ergonomic CIEM shell
- Premium high quality modular cable and leather case
- Great cohesion with good tonal balance
- Neutral tuning with a bass boost
- Superb overall clarity and details
- Decent soundstage and headroom
- Natural, organic, rich timbre
- Authoritative, deep, textured bass
- Strong yet controlled sub-bass
- Thick, lush, warm mids
- Good sparkle and crisp high range
- Great transparency and resolution
- Easily driven
- Excellent value
Cons
- Intimate soundstage (nit-pick)
- High range early roll off
- Not for monitoring/midrange coloration
- Lack extension on high range
- Sub-bass might be overpowering with bassy source