Myer Audio SLIIVO SL41Pro Review

Disclaimer

Hello everyone! Before we get started, I want to let you know that Myer Audio sent me the SL41Pro so I could test it, listen to it, and share my impressions. I’m not getting paid for this, and Myer Audio hasn’t told me what to write, asked to see my draft, or set any publishing deadlines.

Everything you will read here is based entirely on my own experience with the SL41Pro. I always try to stay as fair and objective as possible, but at the end of the day this is still just my personal opinion, and we all value things in different ways, which is exactly what makes this hobby so enjoyable.

A big thanks to Myer Audio for giving me the chance to try out the SL41Pro, and of course, a huge thank you to you for reading and supporting my reviews. Your trust and time truly mean a lot to me!

Introduction

When Myer Audio messaged me that they are about to release a new IEM, which is called the SLIIVO SL41Pro and priced at around 220$, I thought to myself, “A pro version of the great SL41 MK2?” I already spent a lot of time with the SL41 MK2, which is a great IEM at around 160$ (but can very often be found for much less), and now seeing a new version with the same 1DD+4BA configuration but with four tuning switches definitely made me curious. It feels like Myer Audio is trying to give users more flexibility and more control over the sound, instead of changing the core signature completely, although they did a bit with the SL41Pro, and we will talk about it in the comparison with the SL41 MK2.

The SL41Pro sits at the top of the 1DD+4BA line, at least for now, and from what I have seen so far, it looks and feels like a good upgrade. The design is a bit different from the SL41 MK2, with the shells being a bit bigger and the tuning a bit different, and I will talk about it in detail later on. I also plan to compare it directly with the SL41 MK2 and the SL224 that I have, just to see where it stands in the lineup and who this version is really made for.

So the question is, does the SL41Pro justify its higher price, and does the new tuning approach with tuning switches actually make it better? I will try to answer that throughout the review.

Unboxing

When I got and opened the SL41Pro, it actually didn’t surprise me to see that it’s very similar and mostly identical to other Myer Audio releases. Myer Audio keeps a very consistent unboxing style across their IEMs, and this one follows the same thing in a good way. The outer box looks clean and nice with the IEMs photo on the front and, of course, the measurement graph on the side of the box. Inside, the IEMs were sitting there in the usual foam, displayed nicely like they always do. I really love how they present the shells right away, because the SL41Pro looks gorgeous with that colorful wood pattern inside.

Under the IEMs is the usual small round carry case, which has been the same with most Myer Audio IEMs. It is a nice case, good quality, but I have to say that it is a bit too small for me. It barely fits the IEMs with the cable and the connectors, and I always wish it had just a little more room so I could also throw a small dongle in there. Maybe in the future they will consider a slightly larger case.

Inside the case you will find all the accessories. There are three types of ear tips, including three Spinfit clone tips with a rotating mechanism, a set of regular silicone tips, and two foam tips. They also give you a 3.5mm connector and a Type C connector, and the 4.4 mm connector is already installed on the cable. There is a small little brush with a tiny tool for the tuning switches and, of course, the user manual.

The cable itself is truly one of the nicest stock cables I have seen with an IEM. Its pretty much identical to the CK2V cable, just with different links. It is soft, flexible, and looks great. The modular connector system is also one of the better ones I have used, with a screw down mechanism that keeps the plug in place.

Overall, everything is nicely protected, looks good and the accessories feel high quality. And of course, the IEMs themselves look wonderful the moment you see them.

Technical Specifications

• Impedance: 43Ω
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Nozzle: 6.2mm
• Driver Configuration: 10mm Custom DD1 + KNOWLES BA2 + Custom BA*2
• Cable: Premium High-Purity Silver-Plated Copper Detachable Upgrade Cable, 4-Strand, Approx. 7mm Diameter
• Length: 1.25m
• Plug: Dual Reccessed Pin 0.78mm, Interchangeable Screw In Plugs: 3.5mm + 4.4mm + Type-C
• Plug Material: 3U Gold Plated Plug
• Silicone Ear Tip Set: 6 pairs silicone ear tips + 1 pair memory foam ear tips
• Warranty: 6 months

Build Quality

To start talking about the build quality, I want to say again how beautiful they are. They look very good. The colorful wood on the faceplates of the shells really gives them a unique look, and in person they have this one of a kind vibe that I always enjoy in Myer Audio designs, because every IEM will look different. The shells are hollow inside, though, not full resin, so you definitely want to be careful with them. They do not feel fragile in the hand, but I would not want to drop them on the floor…

The cable is also worth mentioning. It’s very similar to the CK2V cable, just with different links, and it has that soft, smooth feel with a beautiful look, and it is one of the best stock cables I have seen. The modular system is also very good. The screw mechanism keeps each connector tight and secure, so you never feel like it is going to come loose while you are plugging and unplugging it. The only thing I wish was different is the carry case. It is a nice case with good material, but as I already mentioned, it is too small for me. Once I put the IEMs, the cable, and the connectors inside, there is absolutely no room left, and it’s already feeling too tight. I always prefer a case that can also fit a small dongle, and this one cannot.

Technology and Tuning

The main feature that sets the SL41Pro apart from the SL41 MK2 is the four tuning switches. Myer Audio kept the same driver configuration with one dynamic driver and four balanced armatures but added these switches to give you the option to control bass and treble. Now the thing is… The changes are so small that they are practically nonexistent. I will explain this further in the “sound performance” section.

Fit and Comfort

Now, I want to be honest about the comfort. The SL41Pro is not the most comfortable IEM from Myer Audio for me. They are on the medium to large side, and while the fit is fine for shorter listening, I do not find them as comfortable as something like the SLA3 or the CK2V. Even the SL41 MK2 feels much better in my ear. With the right tips they seal well, and once they sit in place the isolation is good, but this is not the kind of shell that disappears in my ears.

They stay secure, and the cable behaves nicely with no microphonics. The switches are pretty deep in the shell, and I am very positive that you will never feel them with the ear, and they will most likely never bother you if you are concerned about this.

Sound Performance

About the tuning switches

Before I even get into the actual sound, I want to talk a bit about the tuning switches. The SL41Pro has two switches on each side, and I spent a very long time trying to understand how much they affect the sound. I switched them back and forth hundreds of times over many days, and honestly, the differences are extremely small. So small that half the time I was not even sure if I was hearing anything or if it was just the way I put the IEMs in my ears.

At first I tried Chain of Command by Hans Zimmer, but the staging of the instruments made it difficult to notice small changes when I switched the switches only on one side to try and hear the difference. So I switched to Can’t Take It Anymore by Kensuke Ushio because of the sharp and fast details. Here I thought I might be hearing something, so I moved to Iridium by The Sidh, which has very clear bass and treble. After repeating the same switch test again and again, I actually realized that the tiny natural channel imbalance that every IEM in the world has is probably bigger than the changes I heard from the switches.

Even the seal I get each time I put them in my ears changes the sound more than the switches. Different insertion depths or even a small shift in fit can change the bass and treble enough to completely mask whatever the switches are supposed to do.

I have received this diagram from Myer Audio and it shows the position of the switches and their effect:

• Gives the IEM a bit less bass and more highs.
  • Left ear piece: Position ON/2
  • Right ear piece: Position KE/1
• Gives the IEM a bit more bass and less highs.
  • Left ear piece: Position KE/1
  • Right ear piece: Position ON/2
• Gives the IEM a bit less bass and a less highs.
  • Left ear piece: Position 1/2
  • Right ear piece: Position 2/1
• Gives the IEM a bit more bass and more highs.
  • Left ear piece: Position ON/KE
  • Right ear piece: Position KE/ON

In the end, I left them on 1 and 2 because I felt that maybe the bass and upper treble are slightly more relaxed in that setting, but I still cannot say it with complete confidence. So for me, the switches are not a major part of the product. The SL41Pro sounds the way it sounds, and the switches are just a very tiny, fine, and not so practical tuning option.

Bass

The bass on the SL41Pro really impressed me. Myer Audio always seems to know how to tune a dynamic driver, and this is another great example. The bass goes deep, it hits hard when it needs to, and it stays fast and controlled. There is no bloat, no muddiness, and it never bleeds into the mids. The extension is great, and the speed makes it very enjoyable in fast electronic tracks or even in orchestral music when I want to hear that deep rumble without it smearing all over the rest of the song. The bass performances just feel tight and energetic at the same time, which is exactly what I like.

Mids

The mids are smooth, clean, and very easy to listen to. Vocals sit right where they should. I tried several tracks with male and female vocals to hear how the SL41Pro handles vocals. Everybody Walkin’ This Land by Home Free is always a good test for male vocal body and position, and the SL41Pro handled it really well. For female vocals I used tracks from Patty Gurdy, specifically The Longing and Grieve No More, and also Wonderland by Kalandra. Everything sounded natural and well balanced. There is no shout, no harshness, nothing sticking out in a strange way. The mids here feel like a safe and pleasant tuning, something that works for almost any genre.

Treble

The treble on the SL41Pro reminds me of the SL41 MK2, but with one important difference. Myer Audio seems to have tamed down the upper treble just a bit. On the MK2 it could get a little spicy in that region, which might bother some people over longer sessions. On the Pro, the upper treble feels more controlled and a little smoother. It is not as smooth as the SL224, which still has the best treble presentation in the Myer Audio lineup in my opinion, but the SL41Pro does a good job.

In tracks where treble extension makes a big difference, like In Gravity by Steven Price, you can hear the higher notes reach high with a long decay that feels clean and satisfying. So even with the upper region slightly relaxed compared to the MK2, the extension is still there, and the details come through nicely.

Technicalities

The SL41Pro does very well technically. The soundstage feels quite wide, and the imaging is accurate enough that I can easily pick out where each element is coming from. Layering is also great, probably thanks to the multi driver setup with a well done crossover. Instruments and vocals stay clearly separated, even when the song gets busy. Nothing feels squished together or masked, and all of these make the IEM quite easy to listen to for long periods without fatigue.

Comparisons

SL41Pro vs SL224 (~270$)

The SL41Pro has more bass, and the treble feels a bit more forward, with a slightly sharper edge compared to the SL224. The SL224 remains the smoothest tuned IEM from Myer Audio in my experience. If someone prefers a more relaxed and very smooth treble, the SL224 still wins without question.

SL41Pro vs SL41 MK2 (~160$)

The SL41 MK2 has a bit more bass and more upper treble energy. It also sounds a bit more V shaped overall compared to the SL41Pro. I personally think the SL41Pro is better tuned, as it feels more balanced and natural. Comfort is a different story, though. The SL41 MK2 fits me better because it is smaller, so I get better isolation, which might also explain why the bass and the treble feel more forward on the MK2 for me.

Comfort comparison between the three

From these three, the SL41 MK2 is the most comfortable for me. The SL224 and SL41Pro are both a little big and sit in my ear in a way that makes my ears hurt after some time. And if we look at Myer Audio as a whole, the SLA3 and CK2V, for me, are still by far the most comfortable models they make.

Tuning preference

In terms of tuning, the SL224 remains the best tuned IEM from Myer Audio in my opinion. It is the smoothest, the most consistent, and the one that always feels right no matter what I listen to with it. The SL41Pro is very good too, but the SL224 still sits at the top for overall balance.

Conclusion

After spending a lot of time with the SL41Pro, I feel like Myer Audio did manage to create a very solid IEM that sits pretty nicely in their lineup. It has great bass performance, clean mids, and a treble that is smoother and easier to listen to than what we got on the SL41 MK2. The technical performance is great too, with good staging, imaging, and layering, which makes it a very enjoyable IEM for many genres.

The tuning switches did not do much for me, and I was honestly hoping for a little more impact there, but the base tuning of the SL41Pro is already good, so I do not see it as a major downside. The only real thing that holds it back for me is the size, because it is a bit too big and not the most comfortable Myer Audio option for my ears.

If someone likes the idea of the SL41 MK2 but wants something a little more balanced with a smoother upper treble and doesn’t mind the bigger size, the SL41Pro feels like a good option. It looks beautiful, it is built well, and it sounds great. I do think that the SL224 is still the best Myer Audio IEM, from the standpoint of pure tuning and sound, but I still think that the SL41Pro is a very good IEM and overall a nice addition to the SLIIVO line.

Pros

• Great bass performance with clean extension and speed.
• Smooth and natural mids with good vocals.
• Slightly calmer upper treble compared to the SL41 MK2.
• Great technicalities.
• Beautiful shell design and a high quality cable with modular plugs.

Cons

• Tuning switches make extremely small differences.
• Shells are on the larger side and not the most comfortable for me.
• Carry case is a bit too small for me.

Where to buy:(Non-affiliated! None of my reviews use affiliated links!)

Myer Audio Official AliExpress Store