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Ear protection for gigs

Last post Nov 20, 2009, 3:38 PM by idc. (14 replies)
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Posted on Nov 16, 2009, 9:11 PM

Ear protection for gigs

Went to see Biffy Clyro touring their new album last weekend. Good gig, except for the sound quality which was crushingly bad at times, that nasty type of loud where it all degenerates into white noise. Anyway, waking up the next day with my ears still feeling like I'd been beaten around the sides of my head with a guitar, I vowed to pick up some ear protection for similar eventualities.

A Google reveals, unsurprisingly, a bewildering array of options, so does anyone have any recommendations for plugs which take the volume down a few notches without stifling the sound?
"His skills are getting faster with Grandpa the master." - Jonas Brothers

Posted on Nov 16, 2009, 9:58 PM

335617

Re: Ear protection for gigs

I use Etymotic plugs that are special moulded to my ears. The ones I have cut 15db across all frequencies. They are strange to wear for about 5 minutes but after that your ears settle. I dont go to gigs or clubs without them, I can hear a lot more at a concert as the room noise doesnt get in the way.


There are off the shelf ones that are also very good - we used to sell them a while ago for about £20 if I recall.

Nick
The Home Cinema Centre

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 8:58 AM

335661

Re: Ear protection for gigs

I had some made at a clinic in harley street a few years back for when i was dj'ing. Moulded to my ears with 15db sound attenuators inserted in them. They are the nuts, but you do have to get used to talking to people with them in (its a bit of a strange experience). They set me back £150 notes. Cheap really when you consider what they do, how well they do it and how long they last.


As nick said they cut across all frequencies so its like having the volume turned down as opposed to just muffling /cutting out the sound.

Panasonic 42PZ82B, Sony BDP-S760, Onkyo 905, Neat Motive 1 fronts, centre and motive 3 rears, SB8 sub, Virgin +, 360 Elite, Nait XS-2, Rega Apollo CDP, Chord chameleon, Chord Oddyssey 2, Chord Powerchord, Clearer Audio Copperline Alpha

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 9:31 AM

335753

Re: Ear protection for gigs

i was going to suggest those too, but you could also pick up some of the cheap foamy ones for when the sound people just plain get it wrong and there'ss way too much bass (rather than necessarily being too loud).
Ed

"Watching the label, spinning on my turntable
There's no call waiting in my headphones"

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 1:26 PM

335769

Re: Ear protection for gigs

I bought some from Russ Andrews (Less than £20) that are supposed to drop the DBs without turning everything into a muddy mess. Annoyingly, I received and promptly lost them before using them!


They came in a little case and had a connecting cord/lanyard type thing.


If I find them, I'll give them a thorough testing. (Not much better way of testing than wearing them to rehearsal this week).

A/V: Sony KDL-V40A12U & BDP-S350, BT Vision, Onkyo 875, B&W MT-30 7.1, QED A/V cables, R.A power cables

Hi-Fi: Arcam A85 & CD192, B&W 602S3 (& the PV1), Partington stands, Grado SR125, Kimber I/Cs, Rothwells, QED speaker cables, R.A power cables.

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 4:28 PM

335977

Re: Ear protection for gigs

I have just got these......


         


for me and the wife and will let you know on Friday after we have seen Steve Hackett on Thursday.

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Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 5:54 PM

336098

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Anyone wanting to test earplugs could do worse than come along to the Camden Underworld on Friday night where a certain forum member and his band are playing.Hmm
A/V: Sony KDL-V40A12U & BDP-S350, BT Vision, Onkyo 875, B&W MT-30 7.1, QED A/V cables, R.A power cables

Hi-Fi: Arcam A85 & CD192, B&W 602S3 (& the PV1), Partington stands, Grado SR125, Kimber I/Cs, Rothwells, QED speaker cables, R.A power cables.

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 6:06 PM

336180

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Big Chris:
Anyone wanting to test earplugs could do worse than come along to the Camden Underworld on Friday night where a certain forum member and his band are playing.Hmm
That "certain forum member" wouldn't be one "Big Chris" by any chance, would it?
"To disagree with three quarters of the British public is one of the first requisites of sanity" - Oscar Wilde

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 6:10 PM

336190

Re: Ear protection for gigs

...and on the subject of ear protection, I've always used E.A.R. Classic foam ear protectors, just squish 'em a bit and stuff in your lug-hole. I think they offer a good level of protection at a very reasonable price, although I gather better protection is available these days, but I have a big bag of E.A.R's so I'm in no rush to find out.
"To disagree with three quarters of the British public is one of the first requisites of sanity" - Oscar Wilde

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 6:16 PM

336190

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Diamond Joe:
Big Chris:
Anyone wanting to test earplugs could do worse than come along to the Camden Underworld on Friday night where a certain forum member and his band are playing.Hmm
That "certain forum member" wouldn't be one "Big Chris" by any chance, would it?


It could be.Stick out tongue

A/V: Sony KDL-V40A12U & BDP-S350, BT Vision, Onkyo 875, B&W MT-30 7.1, QED A/V cables, R.A power cables

Hi-Fi: Arcam A85 & CD192, B&W 602S3 (& the PV1), Partington stands, Grado SR125, Kimber I/Cs, Rothwells, QED speaker cables, R.A power cables.

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 7:23 PM

336205

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Sadly, I await 'The Scottish Tour'.
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Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 9:59 PM

336261

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Thanks for the advice - I've ordered a pair of the Etymotics (off the shelf type) which Nick recommended. Next gig is White Lies, so I'll be trying them out shortly.
"His skills are getting faster with Grandpa the master." - Jonas Brothers

Posted on Nov 17, 2009, 11:18 PM

336261

Re: Ear protection for gigs

idc:
Sadly, I await 'The Scottish Tour'.

So do I! Ex BT Engineer/metal/lots of noise. Get your band up to King Tuts lol 

Arcam DV135
Arcam AVR350
B&W 684 QED SA XT(Bi-amped)
Sony KDL-46W2000
Audica CS1 3 in 1 C,L&R.
Sony DAV-DZ830W DVD and amp in a box corresponding rear surround.
2Tb Hard drive
MacBook Pro
Airport Express

Posted on Nov 19, 2009, 6:23 AM

336445

Re: Ear protection for gigs

Tonestar1:

idc:
Sadly, I await 'The Scottish Tour'.


So do I! Ex BT Engineer/metal/lots of noise. Get your band up to King Tuts lol 



 


One day, one day...............

A/V: Sony KDL-V40A12U & BDP-S350, BT Vision, Onkyo 875, B&W MT-30 7.1, QED A/V cables, R.A power cables

Hi-Fi: Arcam A85 & CD192, B&W 602S3 (& the PV1), Partington stands, Grado SR125, Kimber I/Cs, Rothwells, QED speaker cables, R.A power cables.

Posted on Nov 20, 2009, 3:38 PM

337075

Re: Ear protection for gigs

The Hearo ear plugs were excellent. They fit easily and although mine had a tendency to slowly slip back out, they were secure. Both of us enjoyed the gig and afterwards my ears were ringing, but that had gone the next morning. My wife had no ringing at all.
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