Hi-Fi natural sound musician's earplug

[HungusMaximist]

Now I am looking in investing in some proper muscian style earplugs and saw these on trade me



The average rock concert is 115 dBA, which people can safely be exposed to for only 15 minutes a day. This is dangerous for concertgoers, but even more for the musicians performing those concerts.

Most musicians dont like hearing protection because they can't hear their music. Ordinary plugs cut off high frequency sound, which means what you hear is mostly just the mid range and low frequencies. As a result, voices are difficult to understand and music sounds distorted. Natural Sound (or high fidelity) ear plugs solve this problem by reducing the volume without distorting sounds.

Unlike cheap foam plugs that muffle and distort what you hear ER-20 Ear Plugs feature a patented tuned resonator and acoustic resistor to reduce all sound 20db evenly across the frequency range just enough to prevent damage to your hearing, but not so much that you lose the enjoyment of the music. Speech and music stay clear, just quieter, like turning down the volume.

The ER-20 from Etymotic Research has an NRR of 12 rather than 20 because the frequency weighting used in the NRR calculation assumes blocking of higher frequencies more than of lower frequencies and these plugs do not do that. They are designed to let you hear the full range of music.

There are no electronics to fail, moving parts to break, or batteries to replace, also as it is a filter it lets air pass through avoiding the stuffy, plugged up feeling of foam earplugs.

ER-20 plugs are washable, reusable and durable. With care they will last for months even with daily use. Each pair of plugs includes a carrying case to keep dust and dirt off them.

The triple flange design produces a good seal for average to large ears and fit most adults.

These are THE best selling natural sound plugs in the US and are recommended by leading audiologists.

The inconspicuous transparent colour means most people wont even notice youre wearing them.


What are your thoughts? Worth the $25.00?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/Pro-Audio-DJ-Equipment/Other/auction-159290078.htm

[jim.cox]

At $25 they ae cheap enough

Why dont you try them and give us a review

[Big Dave]

There were 'similar' ones on the market locally.
Disposable foamies worked better.

[Devil]

I have EAR brand hi-fi ones that look similar to the above. Cost me about $55.
Excellent for band practice and gigs as they tone down the volume without muffling anything or cutting out the clarity.

Not much point having them on the bike, but at $25 those will be fine. Just watch out that the long stalks on them can rub on your helmet liner which can irritate your ears.

[xwhatsit]

Etymotics gear is generally good stuff considering the price. Definitely a better choice than those builder's ear plugs -- these will still let a balanced sound reach your ears, so you'll still hear the detail you need in heavy traffic, but it'll just be significantly quieter.

[Big Dave]

Etymotics gear is generally good stuff considering the price. Definitely a better choice than those builder's ear plugs -- these will still let a balanced sound reach your ears, so you'll still hear the detail you need in heavy traffic, but it'll just be significantly quieter.

If we're talking bikes - It's not, actually. Wind noise is still significant.
Plugs for lugs lady has the best solution I've tried so far for non music producing jobs.

[xwhatsit]

If we're talking bikes - It's not, actually. Wind noise is still significant.
Plugs for lugs lady has the best solution I've tried so far for non music producing jobs.
Ah. Suppose I didn't think that one through. One of the advantages of those musician-style plugs is that they still let a lot of high-frequency noise though. Which, on a bike, would be wind noise.

[Big Dave]

Ah. Suppose I didn't think that one through. One of the advantages of those musician-style plugs is that they still let a lot of high-frequency noise though. Which, on a bike, would be wind noise.

I think the problem is that they go so deep into the bung hole the wind still whistes around in said hole above them.

[Devil]

Never had that problem meself...

[Coyote]

Gosh, they sound awesome (as in I don't have a pair but what they say about them is very interesting).

My ears don't seem to like ear plugs. It tends to take me 15 minutes to get them in, but my patience generally doesn't last that long. Plugs for Lugs would be the solution for me right?

[Big Dave]

Never had that problem meself...

Not many of us install the right plug in the left ear and push it all the way over like you do.

[xwhatsit]

I think the problem is that they go so deep into the bung hole the wind still whistes around in said hole above them.

Can't see that being right, the wind noise (at least with my fat head and cheap helmet) seems to come from wind hitting the helmet; I never actually have wind whistling past my ears, unless riding helmet-less.

[HungusMaximist]

I'll be buying them and giving them a go.

I need them cause I have band practice every week and really hate the standard foam ones as it muffs all the frequencies. Possibily not so useful on the open road.

I've also seen silicone ones and bees wax ones (any experience?)

[Big Dave]

Can't see that being right, the wind noise (at least with my fat head and cheap helmet) seems to come from wind hitting the helmet; I never actually have wind whistling past my ears, unless riding helmet-less.

Have you seen the whisper kits for Shoei helmets?

[R6_kid]

I set of 95c 'medium' orange foamies, inserted correctly works magnificently for me. Replace them weekly and i have no problems. Im pretty sure you can get similar plugs to those one's you've shown from NZ Saftey stores for around $7-10.

[Devil]

I'll be buying them and giving them a go.

I need them cause I have band practice every week and really hate the standard foam ones as it muffs all the frequencies. Possibily not so useful on the open road.


They'll do you good. I've used that style on stage with and without foldback and they're excellent as far as clarity goes.

Before I had decent ones I used foam ones at a gig with no foldback. Biffed them before finishing the first song! Couldn't hear shit!

Gotta be good to your ears, already noticed a bit of loss from the older days without earplugs at band practice.

[Devil]

Not many of us install the right plug in the left ear and push it all the way over like you do.

Haww haww :p

When you gonna show your ugly mug at the pub again? It's Bar Africa tonight, 8pmish the ride will turn up.

[xwhatsit]

Have you seen the whisper kits for Shoei helmets?
I know what you mean, the wind swirls up under the chin bar/face etc; but it's not actually whistling past your ears, is it? With the helmets I've had, ears are surrounded by foam padding.

Maybe I've just got a big head?

[ManDownUnder]

I think the problem is that they go so deep into the bung hole ...


Never had that problem meself...
Give Carver a call - that'll be right up his (or your) alley...

[Big Dave]

Maybe I've just got a big head?

That's my job.

[Big Dave]

Haww haww :p

When you gonna show your ugly mug at the pub again? It's Bar Africa tonight, 8pmish the ride will turn up.

Saving up for RAT night on Tuesday.

[DougB]

I have a set of these ear plugs. I use them when playing in orchestras - the piccilo blasting at your ear hurts. I also use them when riding but the stems cause a problem with a tight fitting helmet. Mine were valued at $60 but I swaped then for lathe work done for a trombonist.

[HungusMaximist]

Just bought them, I'll let you guys know how they work out.

But do note, they are muscian style ear plugs so they don't muffle all the frequencies like the foam ones.

[HungusMaximist]

Cool, they arrived yesterday in the mail.

They come in a extremely tight zip lock bag which I had to use a craft knife to open it, which is good cause once you open it you can't return it.

It comes packaged with a nice set of instructions with a table at the back which tells you how much 'blasting' these ear plugs can protect you till you have to leave. Ranging from band practice sounds to rock concerts/sirens.

I'll whip few photos later on and do a review after my band practice today.

[Dodger]

I'll whip few photos later on and do a review after my band practice today.

:corn:.........

[bully]

Im pretty sure you can get similar plugs to those one's you've shown from NZ Saftey stores for around $7-10.

yes i just got some, quite a range the have.

[PrincessBandit]

... Ranging from band practice sounds to rock concerts/sirens.


hahaha. I use Ear earplugs when playing for shows and find them fantastic for that. I have heard of people snipping the stalks off to wear them inside helmet but I prefer to use my plugs for lugs for riding. The musicians ones are best suited for what they're designed for (um, duh) and I also wear them when teaching a studio full of half a dozen beginner saxophone students - ideal for that situation!! I get really sore ears from some frequencies produced by woodwind instruments, especially saxes (which I love playing) but with my "Shrek ears" in I have no worries!

[ritchtheitch]

Come on HungusM, full report pleeaaasee, we're waiting...

[jrandom]

I'd stick with foam earplugs unless I actually needed those things to hear high-frequency audio while performing music.

[HungusMaximist]

Watch this space, the review with the photos will be uploaded by tonight.

:wari:

[HungusMaximist]

Well, finally after 2 weeks of fluffy around here's the review.

Like I mentioned in my last post, these ear plugs are aimed for muscians as they are meant to tone the volume of the incomming sound without cutting out the high & low frequencies (which alot of foam ones do and is perfect if you're a muso).

From first impressions I can say that everything is really well packaged and sealed, so kudos to the Trade-Me seller. Secondly, everything is so well packaged (which they are meant to be, for hygiene reasons) especially the zip lock bag that the ear plugs come in I had to cut it open.

When you open up the zip lock bag, there's a set of instructions on how to wear em and little table on the back which tells you about sound/noise 'exposure' times. The ear plugs itself is sealed inside another soft plastic/silcone like material pouch (for safe keeping) and it also has a little metal lace thingiee which you can clip it to your key rings as such.

As for the plugs, it's a white soft silicone sort of material with little plastic handles attached to end.

Now for sound test itself I went to a techno/dance gig in New Market after band practice and I can say it works like it charm. I can fully hear the music and people's speech but it just like turning down the volume and as the night ended I walked away with no ringing ears.

If you look at the pics attached on the back of the card is mentioned that if worn properly it will reduce the decible rating by 12. On paper it isn't alot but that's pretty much enough to save your ear from damage/ringing. As again, these are aimed at muscians and won't work as well as the foam ones/bees wax but will still save your hearing if you wear it during open road riding.

Comes in two sizes, white for peopel with bigger ear canals and the blue ones for people with small ones.

$24.99 from the Trade Me dude and I think they retail somewhere around the $40-60 from Music Shops.

[AndyOnTheFlyingBrick]

Well, finally after 2 weeks of fluffy around here's the review.

Like I mentioned in my last post, these ear plugs are aimed for muscians as they are meant to tone the volume of the incomming sound without cutting out the high & low frequencies (which alot of foam ones do and is perfect if you're a muso).

From first impressions I can say that everything is really well packaged and sealed, so kudos to the Trade-Me seller. Secondly, everything is so well packaged (which they are meant to be, for hygiene reasons) especially the zip lock bag that the ear plugs come in I had to cut it open.

When you open up the zip lock bag, there's a set of instructions on how to wear em and little table on the back which tells you about sound/noise 'exposure' times. The ear plugs itself is sealed inside another soft plastic/silcone like material pouch (for safe keeping) and it also has a little metal lace thingiee which you can clip it to your key rings as such.

As for the plugs, it's a white soft silicone sort of material with little plastic handles attached to end.

Now for sound test itself I went to a techno/dance gig in New Market after band practice and I can say it works like it charm. I can fully hear the music and people's speech but it just like turning down the volume and as the night ended I walked away with no ringing ears.

If you look at the pics attached on the back of the card is mentioned that if worn properly it will reduce the decible rating by 12. On paper it isn't alot but that's pretty much enough to save your ear from damage/ringing. As again, these are aimed at muscians and won't work as well as the foam ones/bees wax but will still save your hearing if you wear it during open road riding.

Comes in two sizes, white for peopel with bigger ear canals and the blue ones for people with small ones.

$24.99 from the Trade Me dude and I think they retail somewhere around the $40-60 from Music Shops.

So they claim 20dB across the frequency range? I'd be inclined to test that as my custom earplugs are about 30dB and far more substantial.