Concert ear plugs - recommendations pls
Discussion
Hi folks ,
In the last few years I’ve realised the importance of ear protection at concerts , maybe a bit too late !
I’ve tried a few different ear plugs with the valves in and they have been good , but not really as good as advertised . Also there seems to be different brands making big claims looking suspiciously identical to my current ones and in identical looking cases ! (Zounds for instance)
Any recommendations . Thanks .
Stereophonics next so be a good test 😁
In the last few years I’ve realised the importance of ear protection at concerts , maybe a bit too late !
I’ve tried a few different ear plugs with the valves in and they have been good , but not really as good as advertised . Also there seems to be different brands making big claims looking suspiciously identical to my current ones and in identical looking cases ! (Zounds for instance)
Any recommendations . Thanks .
Stereophonics next so be a good test 😁
No direct experience but my kids swear by these for live music.
https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
Loops are probably as good as you need. Worth noting that plugs designed for shooting aren’t necessarily the right choice for gigs, shooting plugs often have mechanisms to attenuate short sharp sounds like gunshots, but let most other sound through, whereas plugs for gigs/constant noisy environments attenuate over a much wider range, all the time.
I've tried all sorts, including Loop, 3M, foam, some IEMs, and Sennheiser.
My conclusion is that there isn't a single answer. Everyone's ears and tolerance to having things rammed in those ears is different.
My go-to are these
https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-UK/p/soundpr...
because they are very light, highly adjustable for size and attenuation, and the material doesn't irritate me.
Of course it's hard to get test items to try out, so you're going to have to make a best guess on your preference and be prepared to bin them and try something else.
My conclusion is that there isn't a single answer. Everyone's ears and tolerance to having things rammed in those ears is different.
My go-to are these
https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-UK/p/soundpr...
because they are very light, highly adjustable for size and attenuation, and the material doesn't irritate me.
Of course it's hard to get test items to try out, so you're going to have to make a best guess on your preference and be prepared to bin them and try something else.
In theory, you shouldn't need them to protect your hearing. Long gone are the days when a band could crank it up to 11. These days, all live performance is limited to 92dB by law, which is deemed a safe generic level and is plenty loud enough.
Obviously that doesn't take into account those who enjoyed gigs in the past that were cranked to 11 whose hearing may be less than optimum today as a result.
Obviously that doesn't take into account those who enjoyed gigs in the past that were cranked to 11 whose hearing may be less than optimum today as a result.
breamster said:
No direct experience but my kids swear by these for live music.
https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
Use these myself - personally I think they take the sound a bit too much, but that's probably a good thing!https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
Miocene said:
breamster said:
No direct experience but my kids swear by these for live music.
https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
Use these myself - personally I think they take the sound a bit too much, but that's probably a good thing!https://www.loopearplugs.com/
Volume reducing but you can still enjoy the music without it being too muffled.
If i was to buy again, i'd buy the switch. Edit: looks like all modes of the switch reduce the sound by more than the Experience model.
FWIW the case is flimsy.
Edited by Miocene on Tuesday 15th July 11:59
I've had these for years and found them excellent: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004DH0YEI?
They're more than good enough to attenuate the noise of the BTCC start at Brands...! If you need to hear a bit more (or briefly) you can undo the bung without having to remove the earpiece completely.
That said, I do like the look of the Loops which are also a bit more subtle/discreet...
They're more than good enough to attenuate the noise of the BTCC start at Brands...! If you need to hear a bit more (or briefly) you can undo the bung without having to remove the earpiece completely.
That said, I do like the look of the Loops which are also a bit more subtle/discreet...
Edited by Funk on Thursday 17th July 14:06
StevieBee said:
In theory, you shouldn't need them to protect your hearing. Long gone are the days when a band could crank it up to 11. These days, all live performance is limited to 92dB by law, which is deemed a safe generic level and is plenty loud enough.
Obviously that doesn't take into account those who enjoyed gigs in the past that were cranked to 11 whose hearing may be less than optimum today as a result.
Possibly in theory only. Last concert I was at (The Who at the Royal Albert Hall) my seat was right next to the stage, near the mixing desk, also next to a huge bank of speakers, and next to where the drum kit of the support act (Level 42) was placed. I found it pretty painfully loud when Level 42 were playing, and then a bit better when The Who came on as Zak Starkey was in located in the middle of the stage at the back, so a bit further away from me.Obviously that doesn't take into account those who enjoyed gigs in the past that were cranked to 11 whose hearing may be less than optimum today as a result.
I did consider taking my shooting hearing protection with me but as an active headset it would have taken away all the dynamism from the performance as well as made me look like a total dork. I look enough of a dork without them, trust me. I think I'm going to stick with seats well away from the speakers from now on if I can, even if it means I can barely see the artist without looking at the big screens.
As a musician I don't travel anywhere without earplugs. Sitting here now typing I have a pair on my keyring, some foam ones wedged between slides on my french horn in its case next to me; also in the case some active etymotic ones that were very expensive, and custom moulded ACS plugs with a 15dB (iirc) filter.
My go-tos are the ACS custom fitted as they are very comfortable and easy to get in and out and the least hassle. The etymotics are OK but don't fit as well being the standard "Christmas tree" fit, and they're a faff with little hearing aid batteries. I might use them more if I had custom moulds and they had an easy touch on/off setting.
For me though a big part of it is that I am usually performing so they have to let through most frequencies at sensible levels.
For an amplified gig I'll usually use my ACS ones but if it's too loud probably resort to the foam ones; I don't go to too many these days as they make me anxious about my hearing.
Definitely don't leave it to chance though, you only get one pair of ears. I wish I had thought about it more seriously earlier in my career.
My go-tos are the ACS custom fitted as they are very comfortable and easy to get in and out and the least hassle. The etymotics are OK but don't fit as well being the standard "Christmas tree" fit, and they're a faff with little hearing aid batteries. I might use them more if I had custom moulds and they had an easy touch on/off setting.
For me though a big part of it is that I am usually performing so they have to let through most frequencies at sensible levels.
For an amplified gig I'll usually use my ACS ones but if it's too loud probably resort to the foam ones; I don't go to too many these days as they make me anxious about my hearing.
Definitely don't leave it to chance though, you only get one pair of ears. I wish I had thought about it more seriously earlier in my career.
R TOY said:
Thanks for the replies and recommendations.
I m now being bombarded with ear plug adds on Facebook , how did it know !
If I find a perfect set I ll let you all know .
I think the bottom line is that in terms of protecting your hearing, it probably doesn't matter which brand/design you pick, as any will be infinitely better than nothing.I m now being bombarded with ear plug adds on Facebook , how did it know !
If I find a perfect set I ll let you all know .
However, an equally important factor is comfort and usability, as if you find them uncomfortable to wear or difficult to insert/remove, you won't use them.
Personally, having tried various ones I find the Christmas tree shaped ones the most difficult to insert and remove, so although I have several pairs I hardly ever use them. Conversely, for me the Loops are easy to get in and out, comfortable to wear, sound OK, are somewhat adjustable (I have the Loop Experience Plus with the mutes) and fit into a relatively handy little carry case. The only downside I find is that they are quite visible in use, unlike clear silicone 'Christmas tree' style ones that are all but invisible, but on balance I'm happy to accept this.
Try a few different options if you can and then stick with the ones you think you'll use the most comfortable and convenient, would be my advice.
I went for Loop Experience 2, i've found them very good, you can hear the music and you get no ringing in your ears.
The only downside I can think of is that you can't easily have a conversation with them with someone..........other than that, all good. I wouldn't be without them.
I might have a discount / referral code if you want one (from when i bought a pair).
The only downside I can think of is that you can't easily have a conversation with them with someone..........other than that, all good. I wouldn't be without them.
I might have a discount / referral code if you want one (from when i bought a pair).
NiceCupOfTea said:
Definitely don't leave it to chance though, you only get one pair of ears. I wish I had thought about it more seriously earlier in my career.
As a former drummer who was too cool to care in his teens and 20s, my tinnitus 20 years later agrees with you wholeheartedly..!Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff