Short answer: the Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224. Both are rated 4.7/5 for sound quality (#57 and #50 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224 costs $319.99 against $329.99 for the EPZ K9, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the EPZ K9 does well: In the median of 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the K9 earns a preference score of 82 with a low 1.26 dB deviation, so its eight balanced armatures and dynamic woofer blend into a cohesive, gently warm tuning. Watch for: Air above 10 kHz runs about 3.4 dB above target and a 4 dB peak sits near 8.1 kHz, which can add a slightly bright edge to cymbals.
The case for the Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224: The best-measuring model of this group: a score of 82 across six measurements with a very tight 1.21 dB spread from the Harman target. The catch: Treble sits about 1.9 dB below target, a touch smooth, and Myer Audio is sold through a small number of dealers.
Buy the Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $10 less than the EPZ K9.
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In the median of 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the K9 earns a preference score of 82 with a low 1.26 dB deviation, so its eight balanced armatures and dynamic woofer blend into a cohesive, gently warm tuning.
Amazon $329.99 eBay
The best-measuring model of this group: a score of 82 across six measurements with a very tight 1.21 dB spread from the Harman target.
Hangout.Audio $319.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ K9 | Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 | $319.99 |
| Ranked | #50 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #57 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 20 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation | 1.21 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) | Multi-driver |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 8 x balanced armature | 2 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature + 4 x micro planar |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB | 108 dB/Vrms |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the EPZ K9 from aftersound, audioamigo, boizoff, digaoreviews, dl, elrics, fahryst, fernandagunsan, iemocean, jaytiss, koi, kuping-sensi, musicafe, pw, silicagel, soundignity, superreview, takeitslow7, timmyv and tonedeafmonk; the Myer Audio SLIIVO SL224 from atechreviews, audioamigo, awsmdanny, boizoff, enemyspider, jaytiss, koi, soundcheck39 and tonedeafmonk, all via squig.link.
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