danbowskill Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 What's a decent sub £50 ear plug out there that doesn't suffocate sound and freqs? Not after a high dB blocker. For years and years I've stupidly always played without as I've struggled to hear nicely with plugs, but in the minefield of different manufacturers doing them now they might be heaps better? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I have tried various of the "mushroom" type plugs - eytmotic ER20 and various clones, as well as the lower profile ones with the little tab you use to remove them (which I find less easy to use that the etymotic type with the stems). All of them seem to do a similar job frequency wise - in that I find that the top end is reduced, despite what they all claim. However, I also had a set of custom moulds done and didn't find them that much better to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 My stock answer - look no further than here: https://www.hearformusicians.org.uk Custom-moulded ACS plugs, with a flat response, for pennies. Every working musician (full time or *cough* full-time-ish) should know about this. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I used my ear plugs last week and although it made everything quieter it really sapped my enjoyment of the rehearsal. I only bought cheap ones mind, so I’m going to give the hear for musicians ones a try. I’ve been in the prehistoric ages for years with my approach to sound, determined to try and put at least one foot forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I use Alpine attenuating ear-plugs, or rather just one in my left ear that is drummer-side 😉. This works for me. I still keep the vibe and my right ear seems none the worse for being un-plugged. The Alpines I chose were bought for motorcycling but they also do music-specific ones that will presumably be better. I've stopped biking so I'll try those next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 57 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: I used my ear plugs last week and although it made everything quieter it really sapped my enjoyment of the rehearsal. I only bought cheap ones mind, so I’m going to give the hear for musicians ones a try. I’ve been in the prehistoric ages for years with my approach to sound, determined to try and put at least one foot forward. The ACS I linked to above have a flat response, and because they fill the ear canal they don't sound weird when you sing with them in. They're life-changers for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I've had good results with these ACS Pacato ones - they sound a lot more natural than other ones i've tried (Earpeace and Flair Audio) They're dirt cheap and the claims about reducing occlusion seem to be valid. Worth a shot.... https://acscustom.com/uk/products/hearing-protection/universal-fit/pacato-19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I've tried a few but Happy Ears are the best if you're on a budget. Actually do what I always looked for ie drop overall volume leaving the sound of the band intact Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 8 hours ago, Mudpup said: I've had good results with these ACS Pacato ones - they sound a lot more natural than other ones i've tried (Earpeace and Flair Audio) They're dirt cheap and the claims about reducing occlusion seem to be valid. Worth a shot.... https://acscustom.com/uk/products/hearing-protection/universal-fit/pacato-19 I find that style really hard to remove - I can never find the little "flap" to grab on to them with.... though I haven't tried that particular brand before. The flap looks longer than on other brands - might give them a go! 7 hours ago, stewblack said: I've tried a few but Happy Ears are the best if you're on a budget. Actually do what I always looked for ie drop overall volume leaving the sound of the band intact They seem very good value! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 2 hours ago, RichardH said: 11 hours ago, Mudpup said: I've had good results with these ACS Pacato ones - they sound a lot more natural than other ones i've tried (Earpeace and Flair Audio) They're dirt cheap and the claims about reducing occlusion seem to be valid. Worth a shot.... https://acscustom.com/uk/products/hearing-protection/universal-fit/pacato-19 I find that style really hard to remove - I can never find the little "flap" to grab on to them with.... though I haven't tried that particular brand before. The flap looks longer than on other brands - might give them a go! Just push them really hard and they come out the other side.... 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 11 hours ago, stewblack said: I've tried a few but Happy Ears are the best if you're on a budget. Actually do what I always looked for ie drop overall volume leaving the sound of the band intact They sound great, Stew, exactly what I’m after as my current ones just sap all life from the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 19 hours ago, danbowskill said: What's a decent sub £50 ear plug out there that doesn't suffocate sound and freqs? Not after a high dB blocker. Don't put a price on it. . . . . buy the best. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/hearing-protection/earasers-erk-2s-renewal-kit-small?gclid=Cj0KCQiApt_xBRDxARIsAAMUMu9kwfS5iFqdFKMNQMgMgoC5KmhqOsbiINX-2ufjWWAVZP2js-uQxrIaAgZiEALw_wcB I was using these at NAMM as a lower-impact alternative to my ACS ER15s. Very comfortable, very transparent, and the link I've posted takes to you where they're discounted from £34 to £13.90! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Etymotic ER20s from Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) 11 hours ago, Lozz196 said: They sound great, Stew, exactly what I’m after as my current ones just sap all life from the sound. they come in different sizes apparently most folk are medium but old dumbo here needed large. I honestly thought they weren't working first time I used them! Fitting them is a little odd as they don't go in that hard or far but I swear by them now https://www.happyears.co/uk/shop/ Edited February 3, 2020 by stewblack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Tried Alpines - good but not refined, same for Flare Audio titanium ones on pure volume reduction ACS custom moulds are an absolute life changer both for rehearsals and for gigs especially being in the audience, it’s one of those things - hearing is so precious, don’t mess about with it, go custom moulds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 I’ve just bought a set of Alpines. Much better than the other set I had (no idea what brand). They do just what I wanted, reduce the whole overall sound levels, no dramatic reductions in any specific areas - or at least none that I noticed. The drummer I’m working with has a pistol shot sound to his snare and after a rehearsal without ear protection it was telling on the the old lugs, a rehearsal with the Alpines and no problemmo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson_51_ Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 I had my ACS moulds taken on Friday so looking forward to getting them when there done. I got them through the musician hearing scheme as mentioned before so for a good price. I recommend everyone try to get them through it. It only takes a few minutes to apply and worst case scenario is they say no! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 You cannot buy new ears. Buy proper plugs. Cos if you do not and are in noisy environments, one day you will not be able to play and then you would pay anything to be able to play. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 If you have some evidence of your performing and can provide a reference (if they ask for one) from a band member who can vouch that you gig you can get custom ear plugs for £40. My singer and I used each other as a reference and just had our impressions done last week. His were only £30 as he's a MU member. See the attached thread link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 I bought some nice 20dB ones but they were far too effective. For Christmas my daughter asked for a pair of V-moda faders (much loved by techno and D&B lovers, apparently) which are supposedly 12dB so I got myself a pair. Reduced from £29 to £19 at Bax. They do seem to keep clarity and I think the lower attenuation is more practical. https://www.v-moda.com/us/en/products/faders 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunatique Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 I've used Hearos for many years, but I don't know how it compares to the other alternatives suggested in this thread: https://www.hearos.com/collections/all-consumer/products/earplugs-high-fidelity-series-with-free-case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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