Which Earplugs?

[dave_mc]

ok, i hope this is the right forum (it's to do with musical equipment), but if not, tell me and i'll close or move it.

Which earplugs do any of you guys recommend?

I want to be able to hear myself play/talk/whatever, and I want them to be re-usable, so those foam jobbies are out of the question. I think vented ones are what I'm after.

Here's what I've founbd so far:

1) I've heard of Doc's pro plugs ( http://www.proplugs.com/musicandnoise.shtml ) which are vented- they cut 20db of higher frequency noise, but only cut about 2db of low frequency noise. I'm assuming it's the high frequencies (feedback, squeals etc.) that do the hearing damage. They're about £13, I think.

2) There's also these: http://www.allearplugs.com/AEP4/Hear-Plugs-Earplugs-Large-(x1-pair).htm (just found these immediately after a google search). They look a bit cheaper, though (in a bad way), and the string isn't cool...

3) I've also heard of Alpine earplugs: http://www.sensorcom.com/productdetail.asp?ID=409 They're £14 and come in a cool case (!).

Any recommendations? What do you guys use? No budget (I value my hearing) but don't be suggesting platinum coated ones or any of that guff!  :lol:  They also need to be available in the UK.

Thanks for your time,

Dave

EDIT: OK, out of those the alpine ones seem to be the best, I've checked the data sheet, they attenuate at least 14db even at low frequencies- but I still value any input!

[big steve]

earplugs are certinaly an important part of gigging, but i'm cynical that there is money to be made from concerned musicians. fifteen quid for earplugs? screw that!

i just use standard soft rubber ones, boiling them occasionally to get rid of the encrusted earwax (!) i think they were about a fiver. i'm not deaf yet...

although, in fairness, i haven't tried the expensive earplugs so i can't really pass comment.

EDIT: eaplugs that attenuate the most aren't necessarily the best! surely by that logic, the best earplugs would be the ones that block the sound completely....

[TwilightOdyssey]

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx

[dave_mc]

^ ^  big steve: true, that logic, but the alpine ones cut 15db minimum, while still (they claim) allowing you to hear a conversation

^TO: i saw those ones on my google travels- i assume you use th ones about £12, not the custom-made ones about £150? 'Cos when i said about no budget, I meant I didn'tmind spending £15 on a set, but I don't want to spend £150 on a set!

Thanks for the input, guys!

EDIT: shoot, i just checked the link, TO. It says $150-$200... :(

yeah, I'm looking for ones in the £10-£30 range, to be honest...

[Floyd Pepper]

I tried the cheap soft rubber ear plugs from Boots Chemist.  I used them a few times.  They were weird.  Made me feel like I was stoned.  Like I'd taken a step back from what was going on and was watching events unfold.  I could hear my voice as if it was comming from outside of me.

I gave up using them and started trying to point my ears away from the amps.

If you want to feel strange and save your ears go for the cheap ones.  I might just pop mine back in again now.  :)

[TwilightOdyssey]

Cos when i said about no budget, I meant I didn'tmind spending £15 on a set, but I don't want to spend £150 on a set!

LOL, sorry - I live in an expensive world!!!

[Floyd Pepper]

If the £3 Boots ones made me feel stoned I'd love to know what the £150 ones do.

(Just read my last post in this thread and it sounds like a piss take.  I wasn't ment to be.  Ear plug do make me feel weird.)

[PhilKing]

I have used these:

http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/profmusearpl1.html

and these

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10388&Category=Guitar_Accessories

Both work ok, though the first are more comfy.

[dave_mc]

thanks! I'll look into where i can get those in the UK!

[Davey]

i'm just using those yellow ones found at the docs.. 50cent a set.. they do the job, you can wash em etc

[steve]

I use the alpine ones.Really good at not changing the overall sound that much, just take the volume down to a less painful volume.Damn drummers!!

[AxetoGrind]

http://www.studiospares.com/pd_440660_EARPLUGS%20ULTRATEC.htm

these are excellent, as long as you don't lose them they last for years,
you'll lose a little level above 5k but that is where the worst of cymbal noise can be be found,
bass frqs. seem louder because you can feel them in your chest but you will learn to live with that,

also they help clean up sloppy foh / monitor mixes,
i wouldn't expose myself to a loud band without them.[/url]

[nuntius]

I use the etymotic research pair that cost around a £10r.  They're fine for what I do.. but I don't like wearing them to gigs as they have vents that stick out from your ear.. If I'm going into a pit I'll wear the £5 hearos which have no protruding parts.  If I'm playing a gig I'll use the etymotic research pair, which give a nicer response than the hearos that tend to muffle the highs a bit more

[dave_mc]

thanks for the help!

i'm probably going to look into the alpine ones, if i can find somewhere that deals them- if i can't i'll look into those etymotic ones, or some of th other ones mentioned

thanks again!

[HJM]

Etymotic do a generic fit model, they're excellent, better than Docs proplugs. ABout the same price too. You can get them from www.stringbusters.co.uk