Disclaimer
Hello everyone! I want to start by letting you know that Myer Audio sent me the CKLVX CK2V to review. I’m not getting paid for this, and they haven’t asked me to say anything specific, check my review before posting, or told me when to publish it.
Everything I share here today is based on my own experience with the CK2V. I always try to be as fair as possible, but we all know that at the end of the day, this is just my opinion, and everyone’s preferences are different, and that’s what makes this hobby so awesome and fun!
I really want to thank Myer Audio for giving me the chance to try out the CK2V, and of course, a huge thank you to you, the readers, for taking your time to read this and for your support. It truly means a lot to me!
Introduction
Myer Audio has been making a name for itself with some really solid IEMs, and now they’re back with something new, the CKLVX CK2V. This is their latest release (alongside the more budget SLA3) after the CKLVX D62 and a fresh addition to their mid-tier lineup, following the success of the D41 and the SL41 MKII. Priced at $189, the CK2V brings something completely new to the table: it’s Myer Audio’s first IEM to feature micro planar drivers.
With a hybrid setup of 1DD, 4BA, and 2 micro planar drivers in a four-way crossover configuration (1DD+2BA+2BA+2MP), the CK2V promises a detailed and well-extended sound, combining the depth of their amazing dynamic driver, which is also present in the SL41 MKII, the precision of balanced armatures, and the airy and detailed treble of micro planars. That’s an ambitious tuning for this price range, and I was definitely curious to see how it all comes together. So, let’s get into it!
Unboxing the CKLVX CK2V
Opening up the CKLVX CK2V felt familiar but with some nice changes. Unlike the previous Myer Audio releases, which had plain-colored boxes, the CK2V comes in a fresh new design, white with green and gold splash artwork. It looks more eye catching, and as always, Myer Audio includes the frequency response graph on the side, which is a nice touch.
Sliding off the outer sleeve, the inside layout is just like with their previous IEMs. The IEMs are nicely placed in foam cutouts, and under them is the carrying case. The case is the same blue color as the one that came with the SL41 and D62. While it’s well made with nice stitching and a soft interior, I still wish it were bigger. It’s just a bit too small to fit a dongle DAC alongside the IEMs, which would have been great for on the go use.
Inside the case, I found the included eartips. Myer Audio provides three types:
- Silicone tips with a narrow bore in black.
- Silicone tips with a white and turquoise design that reminds me of SpinFits, which has a tilting tip.
- Memory foam tips for better noise isolation.
One of the biggest upgrades here is the cable. It’s a real standout. The dark grey color with the unique patterned design inside gives it a premium look and feel. Unlike the CKLVX D62’s friction fit modular plugs, which were quite hard to detach, Myer Audio has improved things here; the CK2V’s modular system now uses a screw down mechanism, making it much easier to swap between the included 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors. This is a great upgrade, and one I really appreciate.
And then, of course, there are the IEMs themselves. The CK2V’s build is solid, and the design follows Myer Audio’s signature look, with a nice combination of metal tips and resin shells. The faceplates have a green, goldish design with a gold rim around it, which I really like. The shells are surprisingly small; they are much smaller than the SL41, and they are super comfortable because of it. It’s actually amazing how they could fit 7 drivers inside such a small shell.
Overall, the unboxing experience feels simple but well thought out. The new box design is a nice step up, and the cable improvements are awesome. My only real wish is still a bigger carrying case, but other than that, it’s a solid package.
Accessories Included:
- 1x CKLVX CK2V IEM
- 1x Cable (modular), made of 4 strands of 12 each 0.08 high-purity copper silver-plated fibre core
- 1x 3.5mm plug
- 1x 4.4mm plug
- 3x Pairs of silicone tips with narrow bore
- 3x Pairs of silicone tips with tilting tips
- 1x Pair of memory foam tips
- 1x Leather storage case
- 1x User manual
Technical Specifications
Specs
- Driver Setup: 1DD + 4BA + 2 Micro Planar
- Impedance: 40Ω
- Sensitivity: 108dB
- Frequency Response: Not officially specified
- Nozzle Diameter: 6.2mm
- Cable Material: High-purity copper silver-plated
- Cable Length: 1.25m
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Plugs: Interchangeable 3.5mm & 4.4mm
- Plug material: 3u gold-plated plugs
Driver Configuration & Crossover
Inside, the CK2V features a tribrid driver setup with a 4-way crossover to ensure each set of drivers operate in their ideal frequency range:
- 1 Dynamic Driver (10mm Bio-Diaphragm DD) – Handles the bass.
- 4 Balanced Armature Drivers (2 Knowles + 2 Custom BAs) – Focus on the mids and highs.
- 2 Micro Planar Drivers – Myer Audio’s first IEM to use micro planars for the ultra-highs.
Sound Performance
Bass
The CK2V delivers some seriously strong bass, and that’s no surprise, as it uses the same 10mm bio-diaphragm dynamic driver as the SL41 MKII and also the new SLA3. This means it’s not just about quantity; the bass is fast, detailed, and well-controlled. It hits hard when needed but doesn’t feel bloated or overpowering. In my opinion, this is one of the best low-end performers in this price range, as I truly feel that it gives a strong “umph” impact while keeping textures clean and nicely layered. It’s just a great feeling when the bass goes so low that it shakes my brain; it makes me smile and laugh out of joy whenever the CK2V does it for me.
Mids
The midrange is detailed and clear, thanks to the quality BA drivers. Vocals come through natural and well-textured, but there is a small dip around 4kHz, which slightly reduces the forwardness of the upper mids. It’s not a dealbreaker, but when listening, I sometimes found myself playing with the EQ and trying to boost 4kHz a little to bring vocals more forward while also reducing 5kHz slightly to avoid any potential peakiness. Still, the CK2V does a great job at pushing details toward the listener, making many of my tracks feel engaging and very revealing.
Highs & Ultra-Highs
Treble on the CK2V is very interesting because it’s split into two sections. The highs are detailed, forward, and quite tastefully done, BUT, and there is a quite big “BUT”. When it comes to the ultra-highs, where the micro-planar drivers take over, it’s just “wow”; they push a ton of detail and air into the sound. On higher volumes, I sometimes felt like it was a bit too much, but it definitely surprised me with just how much micro-detail it could reveal.
For example, in “Deadfall” by Zamilska, around 3 min into the song, there is an open high-hat playing at the back, and without an EQ, it was quite harsh for my ears, and I had to tame down the treble a bit.
To fine-tune it, I tried taming the 15kHz peak and found that a -4dB reduction was the sweet spot for me, as beyond that, I started missing details. But this could also be due to my ear canal shape, so your experience might vary, as everyone has a different shape of ears, and it definitely can change how things sound to you.
Technicalities
This is where the CK2V really shines. The level of detail retrieval is amazing; it pushes every little nuance of the recording to the surface, making it easy to catch tiny background details in tracks that I usually don’t notice with other IEMs this easily.
The soundstage, for me, is quite large, giving everything a nice sense of space, but this one is also quite subjective and does change from person to person. What was also very good for me was the imaging, as I could pinpoint exactly where every sound was coming from without any issues. Whether it’s instruments in a live recording or enemy steps in games, everything is positioned with accuracy.
The layering is also fantastic, and I think the 4-way crossover plays a big role here. Instruments and vocals stay well-separated, and nothing ever feels muddied or overlapping. Everything has its own place on the stage, making it easy to focus on individual elements without the mix getting congested.
CK2V vs. SL41 MKII – Quick Comparison
Price & Build
The SL41 MKII comes in at $156, while the CK2V is priced at $189. That extra cost brings some clear upgrades, especially in size, comfort, and accessories. The CK2V is noticeably smaller, and for me, it’s much more comfortable to wear for long periods. The cable is another big step up. While the SL41 MKII’s cable is already quite premium, the CK2V’s cable takes it to another level in feel, look, modular plug, and overall quality. The eartips have also been improved, giving better quality.
Sound Differences
The main differences in the sound are in the bass and highs, as the mids are pretty identical between the two.
Bass: The CK2V feels like it delivers more bass volume, though I suspect this might be because of the better fit and seal I get with it. Both IEMs use the same 10mm bio-diaphragm dynamic driver, so the tuning and fit likely play a role here. Either way, the CK2V hits a bit harder and feels more impactful for me.
Ultra-Highs: This is where the biggest difference lies. The CK2V’s micro planar drivers push the ultra-highs brighter, airier, and more extended, making it more detailed up top. This brings out more fine details but also comes at a cost. On certain tracks, it can sound a bit sharp and harsh. If you are sensitive to treble, EQ can help tame it a bit.
Overall
The SL41 MKII is still a fantastic option at its price, but the CK2V offers clear upgrades in terms of comfort, accessories, and high-end detail retrieval. It’s a more refined and technical-sounding set, with, for me, stronger bass presence and ultra-highs that extend further. But it might be a bit sharp without some EQ tweaks. If you are looking for a more comfortable, premium-feeling IEM with better treble extension, the CK2V is the way to go.
Conclusion
The CK2V has been a really interesting IEM to test. It takes what Myer Audio has done before and pushes things further, especially in terms of technical performance and detail retrieval.
The bass is strong and detailed, using the same dynamic driver as the SL41 MKII, but it feels like it hits harder. Probably because of the better fit and seal. The mids are clear and well-detailed, though I personally have liked a bit more with the EQ changes that I have made to the 4kHz and 5kHz to make this region a little more forward and at the same time less peaky. The treble is where things really stand out, with the microplanar driver adding a lot of air and extra detail up top. At higher volumes, it can get a bit sharp, but a slight EQ tweak helps balance things out a bit.
Build-wise, the smaller size makes it so comfortable for me, and the cable is a big upgrade over previous models, both in looks and functionality, and in my opinion, it is one of the greatest stock cables that I have seen. The new screw-down modular plug system is a great improvement. My only real complaint is that the carrying case is still too small, and I wish Myer Audio would make it a bit bigger.
For $189, the CK2V delivers strong bass, tons of detail, and a wide, airy soundstage. It leans more towards clarity and technical performance, so if you like a more warm and relaxed sound, it might not be the best fit. But if you’re looking for something detailed, with bright treble, spacious, and well-built, this is a really solid choice.
Pros:
- Great build quality.
- Strong, deep, and detailed bass.
- Excellent sound quality.
- Great technical performance.
- Premium-looking, modular with a screw-down system cable, with much easier to swap plugs than the D62.
- Very comfortable fit.
Cons:
- Upper mids could use a small tweak.
- Ultra highs can be sharp.
- The carrying case is too small for my liking.
Where to buy:(Non-affiliated! None of my reviews use affiliated links!)
