Earplugs!

colourofsoundcolourofsound Frets: 393
edited November 2016 in Live
As well as guitar I am a drummer so earplugs are an absolute necessity.

I had some custom moulded ER20s that were totally awesome. Unfortunately I have lost them, and am now looking to buy another pair.

Now, before I go and basically buy the same product again, can anyone recommend me anything similar? It has to be a moulded earplug; anything else is just too uncomfortable.

I had mine for 6 years so haven't researched these for ages. Would like to know some opinions!

Cheers!


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Comments

  • Ultimate Ears
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  • simonksimonk Frets: 1467
    ER20's are the off the shelf plugs. ACS Custom are the molded jobs... I'd go with them again if that's what you've used previously. I've had my 17's for about 6 years now and they are starting to get a little uncomfy - I guess my ears must have changed shape a little.
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    I have ACS Customs and Read Audio.
    The Read Audio are a far better product- they are a 3d printed acrylic and they fit perfectly.
    The ACS are fine- they are a softer material, and smaller in size. I wear them on the motorbikes because they have a lower profile.
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  • mixolydmixolyd Frets: 826
    edited November 2016
    I received a pair of Flare Audio Isolate a couple days ago.  They're designed to reduce evenly across the frequency range - yes they reduce bass - and are  £25 plus shipping.

    There's a DJ on ytube reckons they are great for high noise environments, I've only used them for sleeping where they are way better than the highest SNR foamies.  As good as a custom plug?  I have no idea, but they're cheaper!

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/584645150/isolate-switch-off-your-ears
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  • Yeah it was the ACS ones I got, through David Ormorod. 

    @mixolyd I also got the Flares through the Kickstarter. I find them pretty uncomfortable if I have them in for longer than an hour. I was gutted as I thought they could replace my moulded ones, but this is not the case...
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  • simonksimonk Frets: 1467
    I've got some Flare Isolates and they work really well. Too well in a band environment though - I felt removed from the action.
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  • simonksimonk Frets: 1467
    @octatonic How would you say the Read Audio's are better than the ACS? Particularly in terms of sound quality.

    Sorry for the slight thread hijack....

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  • Thats okay - suits me to know too!
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  • I applied for this yesterday - worth a punt even if you're not a pro. Can't argue with whats on offer here

    https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/working-retired-musicians/musicians-hearing-health-scheme
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  • bbill335bbill335 Frets: 1368
    I use Ear Peace. They're not perfect, but they're more comfortable than ACS by a long shot. I wear them all the time, I'm on my second set.
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    simonk said:
    @octatonic How would you say the Read Audio's are better than the ACS? Particularly in terms of sound quality.

    Sorry for the slight thread hijack....

    They filter more evenly across the audio spectrum and I find them move comfortable to wear for several hours at a time.
    Of course all earplugs will take away more top end than anything but with the ACS plugs it sounds like you are underwater- they had to change the filters for me to even be usable.

    I also have Read IEM's and they are fantastic.
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  • simonksimonk Frets: 1467
    octatonic said:
    simonk said:
    @octatonic How would you say the Read Audio's are better than the ACS? Particularly in terms of sound quality.

    Sorry for the slight thread hijack....

    They filter more evenly across the audio spectrum and I find them move comfortable to wear for several hours at a time.
    Of course all earplugs will take away more top end than anything but with the ACS plugs it sounds like you are underwater- they had to change the filters for me to even be usable.

    I also have Read IEM's and they are fantastic.
    Interesting. I think I'll be phoning them tomorrow...
    Thanks for the info.
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  • Necro-bump ...

    @octatonic, which level of Read plugs do you use?  According to their website they offer two:

    "For most musicians working in amplified environments 15dB is an ideal level where the 19dB the preserve of those working a little closer to the action."
    Trading feedback | FS: Nothing right now
    JM build | Pedalboard plans
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  • poopotpoopot Frets: 9098
    Necro-bump ...

    @octatonic, which level of Read plugs do you use?  According to their website they offer two:

    "For most musicians working in amplified environments 15dB is an ideal level where the 19dB the preserve of those working a little closer to the action."
    Just got the 15db from read last week... really good. Everything as clear as day just quieter. Not sure I’d go down as far as 19db tho’... 

    recent thread here: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/127652/getting-old-going-deaf-and-ear-plugs#latest
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  • Cheers @poopot.

    Have you had chance to try them out with a band yet?
    Trading feedback | FS: Nothing right now
    JM build | Pedalboard plans
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  • poopotpoopot Frets: 9098
    Cheers @poopot.

    Have you had chance to try them out with a band yet?
    Yep... really good... everything is crystal clear... no problem with hearing any of the band... it’s just quieter. Did a three hour stint on Saturday, not uncomfortable at all...

    took a bit of getting used to the first time but after the first15mins of playing you won’t notice you have them in. Every other rehearsal/gig after that is fine!... just trust that your amp is loud enough out front :)

    the other thing is, if you do any vocals at all you will be able to hear yourself clearer. You can hear your own voice a lot louder in your head when your ears are blocked off!... 

    really happy with them! And Matt is a great bloke. Came to my house 20mins later went away with the impressions and I got the plugs 3 days later... 
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  • simonksimonk Frets: 1467
    @djspecialist  I’ve been using the Read 15dB plugs for over a year now, done loads of gigs with them and couldn’t be happier. I have two pairs of moulded ACS plugs too and there’s no comparison - the Reads are better in every way, particularly if you sing. I’ve never felt the need to get some 19dB filters as well.
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  • thomasw88thomasw88 Frets: 2316
    octatonic said:
    simonk said:
    @octatonic How would you say the Read Audio's are better than the ACS? Particularly in terms of sound quality.

    Sorry for the slight thread hijack....

    They filter more evenly across the audio spectrum and I find them move comfortable to wear for several hours at a time.
    Of course all earplugs will take away more top end than anything but with the ACS plugs it sounds like you are underwater- they had to change the filters for me to even be usable.

    I also have Read IEM's and they are fantastic.
    I find with the ACS  pros that they're ok and definitely better than all  the cheapo ones I tried.  They still seem to knock out the guitar more than the bass/drums which isn't what I want.   

    I have the 10's and 17's filters and both are ok. 

    Do you find that the guitar gets knocked out more with the reads? if not I'd be interested in getting a set of them.



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  • poopotpoopot Frets: 9098
    thomasw88 said:

    Do you find that the guitar gets knocked out more with the reads? if not I'd be interested in getting a set of them.



    Nope... everything is just quieter!...

    infact, I’m finding it easier to hear my guitar now... ears not fading towards the end of a gig!...
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  • I had some moulded earplugs made for me by Mercury Audio at the Southern guitar show back in October. Im afraid I have the same problem where I can hear bass, drums, vocals fine but my guitar is practically inaudible even though my JCM800 is right next to me. It's even worse when I turn on a gain pedal. 

    I've tried changing the filters but it hasn't helped much. Mercury Audio is local to me so I've been in to speak with them and they were very nice and tried to help but I can't help feeling it was a bit of a waste of money unfortunatly.  They're pretty much unusable.




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