Moondrop Variations VS MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Moondrop Variations and MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 use 1DD+2BA+2EST and 6BA driver setups respectively. Moondrop Variations costs $550 while MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 costs $450. Moondrop Variations is $100 more expensive. MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (7.5 vs 7.8). Moondrop Variations carries a user score of 7.5. MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 has significantly better dynamics with a 1.1-point edge, MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 has slightly better soundstage with a 0.4-point edge, MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 has significantly better details with a 1.3-point edge and MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 has significantly better imaging with a 1.6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Variations MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6
Bass 7.3 7.8
Mids 7.1 7.2
Treble 7.5 7.7
Details 7.3 8.5
Soundstage 7.8 8.2
Imaging 7 8.6
Dynamics 6.2 7.3
Tonality 7.4 8
Technicalities 7.6 8.1
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Moondrop Variations Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz Yifang
Kois Archive Audionotions Jays Audio Tim Tuned Shuwa-T Smirk Audio Precogvision
Super* Review Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel Crin Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.5

Strongly Favorable


MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Kois Archive Web Search
Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
I like it, but don't love the lower mids.
Youtube Video Summary

Build & accessories: Variations shows its age. The resin shell fits well and the metal faceplate looks clean, but the body feels a bit chintzy and slightly see-through, with a chunky nozzle compared to newer slim designs. The pocketable case is nice, yet the stock cable is thin with barely visible L/R markers; modular termination is handy, but modern Q-Lock-style systems do it better.

Sound: tuning centers on energetic, engaging vocals with a tasteful sub-bass lift—not a bass-head set, more a polite, gradual boost. A dip around the lower mids can read as thinness, pushing some female vocals a touch distant, while the top end has air, detail, and an overall chill presentation. Technicalities are solid rather than class-leading at the price, but the EST implementation is clean and cohesive. Expect limited mid-bass weight, occasional shout for the sensitive, and ergonomics that won’t suit everyone.

Context & verdict: despite a wave of competitors (Oracle MK2, Hype 4, Softears Studio 4/Volume S, AFUL Performer 7, DUNU Brain Dance, even Moondrop’s own Dusk at a lower price), this tuning remains a benchmark reference around the mid-fi bracket. Variations delivers the archetype many listeners still chase: clean sub-bass, airy treble, and a deft, easygoing balance that makes it a “legendary” set in the catalog. Not flawless, but noteworthy—the kind of IEM worth borrowing at a meet and auditioning for 10–15 minutes to see if that lighter midrange flavor clicks.

Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A+

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Moondrop Variations reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7.8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7 good subbass and female vocal missing midbass and lowermids

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7.8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 fun balanced set. mids aren't the best

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations (more reviews)

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary

Moondrop Variations enters the $520 bracket as a sleek tribrid (DD bass, BA mids, dual EST treble) that mirrors the Blessing 2 shell and fit—complete with the familiar large nozzle—while upgrading the look with a smoky, beach-glass finish. The package is generous (tips, foams, spare filters, and a modular cable with 3.5/4.4/2.5 swaps), though the case is bulky and the connector mechanism isn’t the slickest. Ergonomics are essentially the same as Blessing 2/Dusk; secure once sealed, but best with smaller tips.

Sonically, this reads as a refined “Dusk-plus”: a flatter lower-mid profile, prominent yet tidy sub-bass, and treble that’s a touch smoother and better extended than Blessing 2/Dusk. Despite measuring with more sub-bass than Dusk, it often feels less bassy in practice—more integrated, less showy—while preserving the line’s standout midrange detail and vocal clarity. Versus peers, staging depth benefits from the sub-bass lift (a hair more “space” than Blessing 2), and detail/resolution is effectively on par with Dusk; Blessing 2 still edges it for midrange naturalness, and all-BA sets like S8 retain the treble finesse crown.

The catch is value: performance moves forward, but only by small, picky margins. With Blessing 2/Dusk sitting a full $200 lower, Variations feels like a tasteful refinement rather than a categorical leap. For listeners who want a neutral core with an articulate sub-bass emphasis and slightly more air/polish up top than the Blessings—without the Dusk’s heavier bass feel—it’s an excellent pick. As scored, it earns 4 stars: easy to recommend on its tuning and competence, just shy of “must-buy” given how close its cheaper siblings perform.


Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
A solid benchmark. Great sub-bass, Harman tuning, and excellent detail. Can sound thin.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Crin

Crin 8 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A Tech
Sub-bass-focused signature with Moondrop's clean tuning makes this one of the best $500 tribrids.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 7.5 Reviewer Score
Very resolving with good sub-bass and good treble. A bit thin and clinical sounding and lacks a bit of note weight. Could use a bit more mid-bass. Otherwise, the resolution is top-notch. Treble extension is decent. Might be a little shouty for some, but not for me!

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Very clear with lots of detail. Sub-bass has a nice rumble and texture. Amazing treble extension and stage air. Female vocals are vibrant and shines. Mid-bass cut is real, affecting some genres and male vocals. Note-weight can be light.
Youtube Video Summary

Moondrop Variations tracks the compensated diffuse-field target closely at typical listening levels (75–85 dB), delivering a signature that is clean, smooth, airy with center-locked imaging. The well-known mid-bass tuck trades some weight on male vocals, bass guitars, and kick drums for top-tier separation and midrange clarity, while the sub-bass rises with a subwoofer-like rumble and texture. Treble is generally coherent and extended, though a touch of extra energy past 12 kHz can turn hot on brighter J-/K-Pop masters. At sane volumes, the overall presentation feels correct and harmonious, with instruments and vocals popping out in a spacious, non-congested stage.

Against Blessing 2 Dusk, Variations sounds clearer and more separated with better sub-bass extension; Dusk’s added mid-bass gives male vocals more heft but softens the subwoofer illusion and feels less smooth up top, making female vocals a bit less airy. For listeners wanting a touch more slam and a gentler treble tilt, sets like Shuoer EJ07M and the original Monarch provide that extra meat without wrecking clarity. On a budget, the Moondrop Quarks DSP offers a “mini-Variations” vibe—~85% of the experience—though it gives up some treble extension, bass texture, and imaging precision due to driver and DSP constraints.

Big picture: for accuracy, balance, imaging, and an almost studio-monitor take in an IEM, Variations remains a go-to recommendation—especially if there’s no strong preference for extra mid-bass or if listening stays below 85 dB. Those chasing more bite or “out-of-the-box” coloration can find sharper sets, but they won’t sound as even, faithful, or effortlessly clear as Variations at moderate volumes.


Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Great separation and details Thin lower midrange
Youtube Video Summary

Packaging brings typical Moondrop flair—an anime-clad box, a large but well-built carrying case, assorted foam and silicone tips, and interchangeable plugs (3.5/2.5/4.4). The shells look sleek and minimalist, with a stock cable that’s better than usual for the brand. Fit mirrors the Blessing 2 profile—still on the larger side—but slightly more comfortable over long sessions.

Sonically, this is a sub-bass focused set with minimal mid-bass, yielding deep, clean rumble and zero bleed. The midrange is refined and clear, giving female vocals spotlight treatment, while male vocals can feel a touch thin due to the leaner lower mids. Treble is well-extended with a hint of air, avoiding peaks, sibilance, and fatigue. The headline is separation and microdetail—attack/decay snap notes into place so instruments occupy distinct spaces, producing imaging that’s confident and a stage that’s wide enough for the price.

Against $500 peers like Kiwi Ears Orchestra and Thieaudio Oracle, Variations competes directly; Oracle may sound warmer and more natural on male vocals, but Variations pushes ahead with cleaner layering and a more modern, sub-bass fun tilt. At around $530, it delivers a taste of $1k-class resolution without sacrificing musicality—an easy five-star recommendation for listeners who want clarity, air, and subterranean slam over extra mid-bass warmth.

Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: S

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.3 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A Tech
Comment: Too much subbass, dry sounding lower mids. Clarity Subbass overpowers lower mids

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: A Mids: B Treble: A- Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Great tuning, neutral timbre, and a satisfying bass with a sub-bass focus. Solid all-rounder.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Details: A- Imaging: A-

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
A more refined B2 Dusk with better bass texture and treble extension.
Youtube Video Summary

Moondrop Variations takes the Harman idea and fixes what that target often gets wrong. The tuning pushes sub-bass with minimal mid-bass, plus a dip around ~200Hz that cleanly separates lows from the rest—think speaker rig with a dedicated sub. Midrange is clear yet forward, bordering on shouty in noisy environments, with thinner lower-mid body. Treble is the standout: a smooth, extended EST implementation with real air to ~15kHz—softer in attack than some sets, but among the few EST tunings that actually feel coherent at this price. Build echoes Blessing 2’s large shell, fit is good for larger ears, and the cable’s swappable termination is a practical upgrade.

Technical performance is where Variations surprises. Detail retrieval is top-tier for ~$520, edging past well-known mid-fi competitors and clearly a step up from the Blessing line; imaging is solid if not showy, while dynamic contrast and punch are unusually engaging. Bass quality shows better texture and slam than earlier Moondrops, even if the absolute best DD bass in class still belongs elsewhere. The overall presentation is energetic, clean, and high-contrast—notes pop against a dark low end and lit upper mids/treble.

Against peers, DUNU SA6 suits listeners wanting smoother, laid-back treble and a less insistent midrange, whereas Shuoer EJ07M offers a bouncier bass shelf but a less even top end. Compared with Moondrop’s own Blessing 2/Dusk, think “Dusk on steroids”: bigger sub-bass, more resolution, and more punch—though Dusk owners won’t see a night-and-day jump. Imperfections aside, on paper this is one of the most complete packages in its bracket, especially for those who value sub-bass authority, clarity, and a refined EST treble without sacrificing coherence.

Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: A- Imaging: B

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 6.7 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Resolution king for the price point with a fun tuning. Great sub-bass and treble. Lack of mid-bass bass and somewhat thin mids murdered it for my library. Can see the appeal for others tho.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: B Mids: A- Treble: A- Details: A- Imaging: A-

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 6.5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A Tech

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.6 * score rescaled + normalized
10 community members have rated the Moondrop Variations at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 (more reviews)

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 reviewed by Web Search

2025-10-17
uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7.2 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech

The MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 is a pure 6BA design using branded Sonion and Knowles armatures, with two dip-switches that enable four tuning combinations. Published specs list 50–65 Ω impedance and 113–116 dB sensitivity, and the list price sits around $450 (commonly discounted via retailers).

Community impressions describe a neutral baseline with an optional bass lift via the switches, which primarily increase low-end gain while keeping mids relatively clean. Reports consistently highlight a wide soundstage, clean separation, and solid imaging performance for the price tier.

As an all-BA set, macro-dynamics and bass texture don’t match the physicality of strong dynamic-driver hybrids; however, the SLT6 trades that for fast transients, high detail retrieval, and well-defined imaging—traits that several reviewers point out, alongside notably resolving treble. Build and ergonomics are solid (stabilized-wood faceplates, resin shells), and the switch system adds genuine flexibility, though listeners seeking DD-like slam may find the low end more controlled than visceral.


Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Moondrop Variations User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 2 user reviews

7.5

Strongly Favorable

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Moondrop Variations Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.1

Gaming Grade

A-

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.8

Gaming Grade

A

Moondrop Variations Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • It delivers a confident technical showing with defined layers and satisfying clarity. You can follow backing vocals with relative ease.
Bass A-
You get robust low-end authority that remains disciplined and textured. Layering stays intact despite the weight.
Mids A-
Expect lifelike vocals and instruments with impressive nuance and realism. You can easily follow harmonies and backups.
Treble A
Treble performance is excellent—airy, extended, and beautifully controlled. It reveals subtle studio ambiance.
Dynamics B
You get confident dynamics that track both macro swings and rhythmic drive. There's life in every crescendo.
Soundstage A
Immersion steps up dramatically as width, depth, and height integrate into a cohesive hologram. Everything sounds naturally spaced.
Details A-
Textural subtleties glow, giving each recording a beautifully illuminated character. It exposes mix decisions with precision.
Imaging A-
Depth mapping feels natural and accurate, supporting convincing immersion. Depth mapping feels precise and natural.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Expect a tasteful, well-judged response that feels both musical and true to the source. Great synergy with a wide range of genres.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • The tuning feels expertly organized, marrying agile dynamics with well-defined spatial cues. Technical listeners will appreciate the poise.
Bass A
Expect a commanding bass response that reaches deep without clouding the mix. There's both slam and nuance in equal measure.
Mids A-
Midrange performance is excellent, with natural timbre and great detail. Vocals feel lifelike and full-bodied.
Treble A
The treble is exquisitely tuned, combining crystal detail with relaxed delivery. Micro-details emerge effortlessly.
Dynamics A-
Dynamic performance is excellent, combining sharp transients with strong contrast. Transients snap with authority.
Soundstage A+
Three-dimensional layering becomes effortless, placing performers on a lifelike virtual stage. Venue ambience wraps around convincingly.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers while maintaining natural timbre. It uncovers hidden layers with ease.
Imaging S-
Even dense mixes remain locked in place, reinforcing the illusion of physical performers. The stage remains stable regardless of complexity.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Value-to-cost may not be optimal for gaming-focused users.

Moondrop Variations User Reviews

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Endoki
7.8

This was one of my first IEMs. I loved it and hated it. It is still the cleanest sounding IEM I own - also compared to something much more expensive.

Pros
Very clean sound signature combined with a satisfying amount of sub-bass. Sounds great with the right songs
Cons
Thin mids and poor note weight in some songs
wpzdm
7.2

Taught me Harman is not for me...

Pros
Clean and clear
Cons
Recessed lower mids, a bit too calm and lifeless

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