Earplugs for a concert

kadrek

I'm going to Lamb of God/Killswitch Engage concert in MN on Nov. 18th. I was wondering if you guys have any opinions on earplugs, I don't want to go deaf! I found a couple of pairs, I'm leaning towards the etymotics. They seem like they would work better, plus they come in purple for the SO haha.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381203585&sr=8-1&keywords=etymotic

http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Hearing-Protection-MusicSafe-Classic/dp/B0032BYCWG/ref=pd_sim_e_1

What do you guys think?

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this post.

Gadabout

I have had the best luck with the Etymotic ER-20's. Tried a couple other brands, but prefer the fit and sound quality of the ER-20's over the others I have tried. You might want to get a package of Large and Standard Fit, just in case. I wear the standard fit, as do most of my friends that use them. There are a couple that have said they prefer the fit of the large plugs.

Scott

stretchl

^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said. Love 'em.

jbooker82

push them in until they touch.

I use these at work. I pull the cord out so they are not hooked together. They have a nice case to keep them from picking up pocket fuzz and dirt.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-E-A-R-Ultrafit-plugs-corded/dp/B00864VMTU/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1381218969&sr=8-18&keywords=e+a+r+ear+plugs

ambiophonics

I've used "earasers" for about a year now and they are the only plug I've ever forgot that I was wearing. They are also very discrete.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/earasers-musicians-plugs

Jetmaker737

I've taken ear plugs to concerts but eventually I yank them out because it just not the same experience. But good to have nonetheless if you want a break.

cnh

Depends on where you are and how loud the concert levels are, of course. That said, it would seem to me that a "mere" 12 db or even 20 db reduction in noise might be meaningless if that still leaves you much above 85db noise levels, since any sustained exposure to levels much above that can lead to damage. Even a "good" set of passive headphones, with GOOD isolation, will give you close to 30db? I say, err on the conservative side of your audio sensors?

cnh

Clipdat

These have always worked great for me at concerts and loud clubs, it's rated at -33db: www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Earplugs-Uncorded-NRR33/dp/B0013A0C0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381296773&sr=8-1

Inspector 24

I cannot stand any live music act, even the good ones sound harsh, grating, and after about 5 minutes make me start to feel kinda loopy from the sound. Recently I attended Depeche Mode at the Staples Center in L.A. and my iPhone SPL meter (which seems surprisingly close to my Radio Shack) measured 104-108db, and I couldn't stand to be without earplugs.

I have the Etymotic ER-20's and they do work well, though to my ear are a tad boomy sounding at concerts, like they don't block the bass frequencies as evenly as the rest, but definitely do the job of increasing the clarity of the sound and keeping my ears from hurting. I can definitely pick out all the instruments and understand all the vocals with them in.

I prefer the V-Moda Faders VIP.
http://v-moda.com/faders-vip/?gclid=CIPC-LOGiboCFepFMgodNisAVQ
They come with different silicone tips for fitment and to my ear smooth the bass a lot more making it sound much less boomy while still passing clear vocals and definition of all the instruments. They're more comfortable for me as well.

WLDock

The Etymotic products have been the go to for years. However, that "earasers" product that ambiophonics linked looks interesting. When I has younger I had really sensitive ears and worn ear plugs at many loud concerts. I was also a drummer and ALWAYS used plugs when I practiced alone as well as marching band practices sometimes outdoors and ALWAYS indoors. A 300 member University band with a kick **** drumline can get pretty loud!

tonyb

Earplugs to a concert ?? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose ? Just saying....

DaveHo

What!? I can't hear you!!

The pair I use I picked up at an NHRA event a couple of years ago. They look similar to the ones Clipdat linked, but instead of being all foam, they have a solid core. You don't compress them with your fingers before sticking them in. Instead you just kind of pull the ear back & push them in. They work well for me, & actually help make vocals more intelligible when they would normally be drowned out by the excessive bass at many rock shows.

SolidSqual

I like metal shows. Was def for three days after a Metallica concert back in grade school. Scared the hell out of me. Now, I always bring these Etymotic plugs which reduce db by ten with minimal sound loss in case things are a little excessive.

ken brydson

tonyb wrote: »

Earplugs to a concert ?? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose ? Just saying....

My thoughts as well...

WLDock

tonyb wrote: »

Earplugs to a concert ?? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose ? Just saying....

Sometimes the loud large arena concerts are fun. I remember a Prince concert during his Purple Rain solo, the volume went waay up! I swear it was so loud that the energy could be felt on my facial hair and it was warm! That was kind of fun without earplugs. However, with my younger sensitive ears, I can remember some other concerts where I was starting to get irritated by the sound and I put my ear plugs in...maybe it was the way the system was tuned? I don't know? It happened to me several times that is why i would bring earplugs sometimes.

Then there was a time I remember dancing for about 3 hour straight at the popular Techno club in Detroit back in the day, The Music Institute. The sound system in this small club was ridiculous! There were large cabinets at each of the four corners of the small dance floor and I thought I read that they had about 20K watts pushing them? That system used to bruise your internal organs...but it was fun....no earplugs! However, I do remember my ears ringing all the way home.

IMO, if one is around LOUD music often then musicians ear plugs are the way to go....protect those ears!

kadrek

SolidSqual wrote: »

I like metal shows. Was def for three days after a Metallica concert back in grade school. Scared the hell out of me. Now, I always bring these Etymotic plugs which reduce db by ten with minimal sound loss in case things are a little excessive.

That's exactly what I was thinking, I don't want to go deaf.

Gadabout

I always carry earplugs with me to concerts just in case. Ted Nugent in the 80's, cured me from being macho at concerts with no plugs. My ears rang for 3 days.

The V moda Faders look interesting. I like that they come with different inserts, but I wonder if a 12db reduction is enough.

I hadn't heard of the Earasers, might have to give a pair a whirl and see if they are better than the tried and true ER-20's

Scott

Inspector 24

The V moda Faders look interesting. I like that they come with different inserts, but I wonder if a 12db reduction is enough.

They are for me, and I seem to have more sensitive ears than most people I know. FWIW, that Depeche Mode concert, averaged 105db, that puts the sound at 93db average, plenty tolerable for me when it cuts the upper frequencies the most. Of course, like speakers, your ears will tell you. For $20 you're not out much anyway.

Tony and Ken, we all know everybody's ears are different, aside of going deaf I just flat don't enjoy concert volume, just too harsh and grating on my ears. Killing the volume helps me to enjoy the beat and the feeling of the music vibrating my body as well as the performance of the musicians, and I always sit close wherever I go so I can really see the act! Otherwise I might as well watch it at home on blu Ray.