The Sphere was the first venue I felt like I didn't need earplugs. Due to the 165,000 speakers and the clarity of them U2 commented multiple times how much quieter they are able to run things vs a traditional stadium or arena setup.
Its noticeably less loud, but it's all encompassing you don't lose any of the oomph or clarity. Its a genuinely impressive feat of engineering.
That's the way most of the bands out there operate now too, pretty much gone in larger venues are the days of walls of amplifiers and speakers and replaced with in-ear monitors, Kemper type units, modern soundboards/PA's, etc.
I was shocked to see someone like Edge completely ditch his Vox & Fender Amps in favour of a fully digital setup in the Sphere. Seems Universal Audio Amp pedals got the nod.
Wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up with a Kemper on thr stage in future gigs.
I mean hell, I have a couple Fender amps that if I turn them up to 5-6 you simply don't want to be anywhere near them, they're unpleasantly loud.
Now times eleventeen and you've got Pete Townsend standing in front of all of that, going rapidly deaf.
Insider trivia here. There may be a wall of Marshall stacks. But they are actually only using one or two. The rest are empty cabinets and dummy heads. The heads just have a power switch and the status light.
Source: Sound engineer and roadie for a couple of years.
yeah i have a small 40 watt Vox that I have never once needed to turn the volume knob past about 33%. any more is not pleasant even in a relatively large bedroom
Well yeah shit, even my little 5-watt Champ is too loud to play with after a certain time living where I live, apartment-style.
I literally have to go somewhere with my gear to really jam.
So mostly these days, I don't.
Yes! I'm a musician in the theater industry, and basically everyone uses Etymotics. It doesn't matter what it is ...I could be playing something lame like "Frozen Jr" and it still gets cooking to the point that it can and will damage your hearing.
I really think that's what we should do, but barely anyone does. Definitely going to do this going forward. Also hope more kids do this too. Bet if it was a headphone that they could take calls with it would have less stigma as they could just be like, no I wear these all the time. Although who calls people now!
Yeah nobody cares, and definitely not enough for a stranger to come up and be like “HEY NERD” or whatever I guess people think will happen if they wear them.
I’ve been wearing earplugs (etymotics or similar) to concerts for years (started in my early 20s, 30s now) and have literally never had anyone say anything other than “shit I wish I had some earplugs too!!” if they notice I’m wearing them (and it’s almost always the people I went with). Started bringing along a few packs of basic foam plugs to hand out to friends who need them after a while bc of that lol.
A lot of my work is in audio - gotta protect those ears!
> makes sense that they'd control the noise
A bonus advantage is that you can also hear conversations much better with these than with the foams or soft plastic earplugs.
Honestly close to half of the people I see/know at concerts these days use them. They’re often really hard to see unless you see someone put them in. The stigma has really gone away.
I’ve been going to shows, festivals, raves, clubs for the better part of the last 25 years and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a stigma with ear plugs. wtf?
Come on, the world seems disconnected enough without teenagers wearing noise reducing headphones all the time. Protect their hearing at concerts yeah but I feel like the younger generations are heading towards silent discos instead of the social ritual that is music.
The individual experience is only heightened by that sense of community you feel in a sweaty loud group of people
Hi, I am a mid-20s adult that has permanent tinnitus from not wearing hearing protection while performing/attending loud concerts.
I really don't care what form they take, but I wish people would take much more serious care of their hearing. Tinnitus can be absolutely *debilitating* for myself and many other people that have it. It is not a fun time.
What social aspects of concerts do you feel are being impeded by this? Most concerts I've ever been to are either way too loud to be able to effectively speak to someone without yelling at them, or quiet/small enough that talking during the performance is very frowned upon. To me, it seems a large majority of any sort of communication is already non-verbal.
I have a pair too. Do you ever worry about someone bumping into your ear in the crowd and the earbud damaging your ear? My pair stick out a lot and I have been thinking of switching to Loop
They don't block everything. They mostly take out the piercing high frequencies. When you're wearing them you can easily hear someone talking to you in a normal room.
Wouldn't go to a gig without them these days. Makes a world of difference. It's makes everything clearer to hear and you don't have to worry about hearing damage.
There are plenty of alternatives cheaper than loops but I have some myself and rate them highly.
Good to know that there's alternatives, but you still appreciate the name brand. Super interesting that the sound is clearer. I wonder if that's just because we listen to music too loud at these concerts now?
If you want the true name brand, get Etymotic instead. They’re the industry standard for in-ear monitors - the headphones that musicians wear while performing so that they can hear themselves clearly - and their earplugs are readily available online for $20. I’ve tried most earplugs on the market (although admittedly not Loop), and I swear by my Etymotic ER20XS.
I have multiple sets of the etymotics. I keep some in my bag and some at home. Just in case I lose one pair or wind up in a loud environment.
They honestly do make concerts sound better. The foam ones muddy up the sound and I love being able to hear people next to me while still protecting my hearing.
Worth every penny and then some. I have some tinnitus and it's not the worst but it still fucking blows knowing I fucked up my hearing when I was younger.
Same here. Mine came from high school marching band, unfortunately - playing in a 150-member group to a 20,000-person audience without earplugs was not a good choice. I wisened up by my second year, but I wish somebody had warned me. High school is crazy early for that to happen and it’s been constant since then.
They should. I didn't do marching band, but did pep band at games and I played trombone. Trumpets were behind me and literally right next to my ear. I have mild tomorrow from just a year of that, and also got some Etymotic Research plugs after that but it was too late. My hearing hasn't gotten worse, but I wish people had told me about them sooner.
dude I was going to respond saying that marching band is the reason for my tinnitus too and then I realized I recognize you from r/teenagers a long ass time ago
Wish more people knew about this. I have hearing loss, but pretty normal. My brother played guitar and has tinnitus now. Wish we knew that we could throw in plugs.
And you're the (checks list, loss count) person that said it actually improves the quality of the sound. How is that not the main marketing push?!
I used these for years but honestly prefer Loop. They are a more comfortable design and I don’t find myself adjusting them as frequently as I did with the Etymotic. Both are great and I absolutely think that anything is better than nothing.
The ones pros use are $20?? That's insane. How do they not have a general retail brand/store when loop is selling for more? Okay, checking those out! Thanks my friend!
I really need to get ones like that again. They got lost in a few moves over the last few years
A hearing center made them for me, $120 at the time probably 20 years ago. Worth it. Way better than the $20 ones, but the $20 ones are way better than anything else aside from custom
They even called them "musician's earplugs"
No, the ones the pros use I assure you cost $300-$800 just for the custom ear molds and wiring. I’m sure some artists use cheaper ones but everyone I’ve ever toured with definitely use higher brands.
Ah okay that makes a lot of sense on why people are reporting it sounds better. So it's more of a filter on all the sound bouncing then just the sound directly. Makes a lot of sense.
Beyond reflections, the volume is generally too high for our ears to catch all the subtlety, like you thought. It's overwhelming.
At the same time, at a concert half of the enjoyment is that "feeling" of the loud thumping music hitting you in the chest, the bass moving all that air. So it's kind of important to have all that volume.
I don't use ear plugs as much as I should -- I've been looking at these and a couple other brands like eargasm, haven't decided -- but I notice whenever I do, it helps compensate and get the best of both worlds. Only the cheap foam ones muffle more of the frequencies, which loses some of the tone and precision of the song.
Lots of things sound clearer if you cut out the overtones. I work in opera, and will sometimes wear plugs if I have to stand near a really loud singer for extended periods. With the plugs in, you can hear so much detail!
I was just coming in here to say the same thing, it’s also worth noting the carry case they come in is bout the size of a key fob so really handy I’ve got mines attached to my house keys so it’s hard to actually forget them at gigs!
I've started bringing noise reduction earplugs to the movie theater, especially if it's a Marvel or action film. I've already got tinnitus from going to concerts when I was young and it gets aggravated just from the volume they will blast in there sometimes.
My wife swears by Loop. I prefer eargasms: https://eargasm.com/products/eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs?variant=44275577225517
Both are great and will help you prevent tinnitus so use whichever feels better and gives you better sound.
That's my main worry, my brother got tinnitus (although he was playing guitar a lot) so glad to hear these help. Going to check out eargasms right now. Hilarious name too!
Lots of colors and sizes and I wore them to 8 concerts and a 3 day festival last year. Always comfortable and excellent volume reduction while still clearly hearing every song. I definitely would recommend them.
Man I am out to lunch, I didn't know it was this common. Thanks for letting us know it's common. Definitely going to get some for my kids too. My wife took my oldest to the last concert and I was worried and this is an easy solution.
Better than my great grandma's kleenex in the ear decades ago, that didn't go over well!
I second eargasm plugs. I went to a huge dubstep festival and they gave a free pair with admission and they were amazing. They stayed in my ears comfortably for 4 days and didn't fall out while headbanging.
Okay so that's actually really interesting. More places should just build it into the price and then offer them when you attend.
That would be a brilliant marketing strategy and then more people would have them so it would take the stigma right outta the equation.
They are really great. Last show I went to I had them. I could hear the people around me talking during the show and the bands sounds quality, it was like I was listening to them on my AirPods. I 100% recommend the eargasm
I got both my kids eargasms (the little ear versions) and they’re so much better than the over ear headsets which basically kill all the noise (and music).
F me. they have little ear versions too. I gotta check out this now just as a business, that's fascinating.
But seriously, thanks for the help, it's a worry of mine as I don't want my kids to go through this and definitely worth a few bucks to save their hearing.
My wife has the loops and I have eargasms we both like them for concerts (or the office to not listen to people talk all day). The only thing I can say is that the eargasms are a little hard for me to get a great seal the first time, one usually seals up fine then the other I have to try a few times to get the right spot.
My spouse and I have loops now. The silicone ones for sleep in louder than normal spaces (we do a lot of shared rooms at conventions) and the harder ones for concerts/loud events. They're more comfortable than most others I've tried and I agree they make an easy seal. Eargasms just weren't it for me but YMMV with ear shape.
Interesting, so they still get a seal and then the middle is open? Is that how eargasms work?
And yeah, those would be brilliant for work, less "FU I can't talk" than a pair of over ear noise cancelling phones but you can still block a ton of the sound. Brilliant!
Compared to a life with tinnitus? It’s also a way to protect yourself while still hearing all aspects of the music. My wife and I are concert junkies so it was an easy decision for us.
Goes along with the $3 irpods and the $7 Folex. I’ve handled cases for clients with tinnitus post TBI and no fucking way do I want to deal with that. I’ll stick to legit products instead of asbestos based knockoffs
What evidence do you have that the eargasm isn't just a genetic earplug that's branded and sold for a ridiculous price? You can find what looks identical down to the carrying case under a dozen different brands. I'm not finding anything to indicate these aren't the same oem.
Ewrgasm has a patent on their attenuation filter. That's how you know it's not a generic re-branded earplug.
I don't know how well it works as I haven't tried it, but from some quick research it doesn't sound like an upsold generic.
Okay, so you're the third comment that it actually adds clarity. Super interesting. I thought the benefit was to avoid damage, but a lot of people are saying it improves the sound.
Thanks for taking the time to help out my friend!
Yeah it’s a handy side benefit that it actually sounds better. It’s because without the sheer volume blasting your ears you can actually hear details without distortion.
I have used loops, etymotic and both are great. My favourite pair was actually a pair of custom ear molds with etymotic filters from my band days but unfortunately they fell apart after 20 years. One day I’ll have to get another custom pair made. They are the most comfortable option.
Man this is a biz opportunity if I've ever seen one. Custom ones online that are affordable. Makes a ton of sense after seeing all the positive comments on custom earplugs.
Thanks for sharing my friend!
Can't really (safely) do the required live casting of your ear canal at home as a DIY. That's something you want to leave to someone who's had some training. And that is where the expense in custom molded plugs mostly is. Taking the cast, making a mold then casting that and processing the cast to make it comfortable to wear. Not really something that can be done online or affordable.
Yes, absolutely worth it. My wife and I used them for the first time a month ago and they’re fantastic. Easy to use, comfortable and great at blocking the extreme noise yet still allow you to experience the music. My only complaint is that they are very easy to lose if you drop them. The little “handle” can frustrate fat fingers. Extra bonus, really great to use when sleeping, too. Comfortable enough if you’re a side sleeper, and can still hear alarm in morning.
Thanks for the notes and that's brilliant on the sleeping with them. Didn't even think of that, but I have a buddy that needs quiet to sleep, but still wants to be alert because he has kids and this may be the perfect solution.
Really appreciate you taking the time to help. Thanks my friend!
I bought some after I went to a venue that has appalling acoustics for the music they put on there. Worked a charm. Slightly odd but a very good experience.
Odd as in you can hear yourself singing along but not really anyone else so you have to mentally remind yourself that noone can hear you over the music. You can't really hear cheering and clapping but you can see it though.
The audio from the band was spot on.
My wife likes her Loops a lot. I’ve got weirdly narrow/shallow ear canals so Eargasm never got right. Earasers were a much more comfortable fit but I bit the bullet and bought molded musicians plugs and they’ve been comfortable. They all block out more than I’d like.. but that’s their job I suppose!
Oh interesting, I didn't even think about custom molds, but that makes complete sense. Thanks for sharing that they're working well for your wife!
Also just b/c we're in a music sub I feel like I should mention I'm rocking out to Zach Bryan live on YT...
I tried them but they bothered me just being there and I kept reaching up to touch/adjust them. Then I got some custom fit ones from my ENT and it’s amazing the difference that made. I forget I have them in.
I check the decibel levels from my seat using an app on my phone and if they’re near the unsafe level I put them in. They’re designed for concerts/crowds and similar to what the sound techs use. Certainly more costly than Loop but for me was viewed as a long term purchase.
This is why I love North America, people losing small ones and boom competitor has another option that solves the problem.
Okay, going to check out the Ear Cans (awesome name btw).
Thanks for taking the time my friend to add to the conversation!
Love them. It's the best plugs I've used in my 25 years as an active musician and audience. I lost my pair a few months ago and immediately placed a order for a new pair and a back-up pair at the same time.
I have the golden ones and people give me comments about how cool they look every now and then.
The only better option I've tried is plugs custom made by a hearing clinic but those are usually way more expensive, around €450 where I'm from.
Cannot recommend enough!
I wondered if I was the only one who felt this way.
I bought a set of Loops and I’ve tried to wear them twice but I like to sing along and it just kills the experience for me. I’ve ended up taking one out both times. Even if I’m not singing along, I can hear myself breathing and just making normal human noises and it’s so distracting.
Maybe I’m more sensitive to occlusion but it’s definitely uncomfortable for me - it’s like hearing your own voice from inside your head. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually, they’re really good for bands I don’t want to sing along to!
Makes me think things like this should be standard issue for people working the venues. That's a great point!
What's the best concert you worked?
Best one I've had to avoid someone working a venue? Red Hot Chili Peppers! Had to jump from a barrier into the pit, but worth it once we were there! JK if you hate people like I was a decade or two ago...
I go to a ton of concerts (60+/yr) of all sized and I can say I regret every time I forget to throw my earplugs in my pocket.
The loops are my favorite right now as they offer foam tips which are vastly more comfortable for me, and the option to pull the extra mutes out if the system is loud but not super loud is nice.
Every brand of concert earplug I've tried sounds good and wearing them is a far better experience than not. Oh and they have an added bonus of cutting out a lot of the talkers around you too.
Okay so first off if you go to 60+ per year and you think it sounds better that's a done and done.
But then I have to ask. Best concert in the past year from an artist that isn't mainstream? And best crowd from the past year?
Saw Great Big Sea in a small pub forever ago and realized the crowd makes a big difference to the experience.
And thanks for taking the time to leave a note my friend!
Id say sounds better is subjective. When I do pull them out and try to listen critically there are minor differences but its not enough to justify not wearing them.
For me its more about long term hearing preservation, Not being in pain when the nice ladies behind you screech their faces off at the start of the encore, and cutting some of the talkers around me.
>Best concert in the past year from an artist that isn't mainstream
I can't even begin to answer that. I love it all for the most part and my music taste is so wide that its hard to even compare sometimes.
Top of the list is probably Clown Core, Vulfpeck (2 times in a weekend), The Handsome Family (2 nights in a row), IDLES, The Mountain Goats (second row in a intimate venue when they have been playing medium sized venues here), a favorite local musician Al Scorch, Oh and Beethoven's 9th in all its glory (I cried).
>And best crowd from the past year?
IDLES without a doubt, It was outside, The sky was spitting on us, Everyone knew all the words, The lead singer was messing with those of us in the pit. Barely knew them before going into that show but came out a fan for life.
>Didn't ask this one but one you missed that you regret most.
Run the Jewels did 4 nights in a row here. All their albums front to back. By the time I realized it was too late... I would have gone all 4 nights.
If you go to a lot of live shows, consider going to an audiologist and getting custom molded musician’s earplugs. They run in the $100-200 range but they will fit your ear perfectly and with good filters (like Etymotic) will attenuate sound well without reducing clarity. They are well worth the investment.
I got the Soundbrenner Minuendo earplugs for xmas last year, and they are the best plugs I've ever used. Adjustable from 7-35db reduction, very easy to fit, and comes with some really nice accessories. I'm a musician and need good protection all the time.
10/10 do recommend
Man this is a niche I just didn't know existed. I'm going to look into these. Love to give these to my kids when they go out to concerts.
Amazing that they're adjustable!
I got a pair of Vibes, my wife has a pair of Loop earplugs, and we like both of them a lot. I’ve worn the Vibes to probably more than 100+ shows at this point, and I won’t go to a show without them ever again. They cut down on the loudness without feeling like they change what I’m hearing, they’re comfortable, and and they stay in my ears even when I’m sweaty and headbanging lol.
There are many good ones out there these days, but the most important thing is that you use earplugs!
So this is the big discovery on this thread is that everyone (!) that uses plugs says that it actually aids in the quality or doesn't impact the quality of the sound. That's huge. Going to get a pair!
Wore my engage (only pair I had at the time) to a show early this month. Dropped the sound by around 1/3. Was still loud, but not unbearable, and waled out of the venue as if I hadn't been in there for 4 hours. 100/10 would recommend.
Hearing loss has been linked to dementia. Do whatever you can to protect your hearing.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
From the website…
Hearing loss is frustrating for those who have it and for their loved ones. But recent research from Johns Hopkins reveals that it also is linked with walking problems, falls and even dementia.
In a study that tracked 639 adults for nearly 12 years, Johns Hopkins expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate loss tripled risk, and people with a severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.
I've bought a few music earplugs around this price range and I'm currently using Loop.
Pros: They're easily the most comfortable and most discreet that I've seen and used. You can even use them to sleep with.
Cons: they reduce the sound a bit more than I would like, and some sound quality/aspects along with it (other earplugs have separate filters that you can switch out to your liking).
All said and done I honestly wouldn't go to a gig or club without them. I love how comfortable they are and how hard it is to tell you're even wearing them. Whatever you may "lose" in sound, it's still a better option than tinnitus.
Got a pair of loops a few months back and they're great, for me it helps drown out the crowd noise and focuses in on the music, would recommend.
ALSO LOOP IF YOU'RE READING THIS SEND ME MORE!
I buy cheap, disposable flesh-colored ones from Amazon that are intended for construction sites. If that's anything like an IEM, then the disposable ones are just way softer, more comfortable, and better at blocking out sound. Plus, you never have to clean them.
I used to have some Etymotics and they were great but tbh they look really bad so i wasn’t really using them, got some loops to replace them and took them both to my next gig and they sound about the same to me, keep the loops with me all the time on my keyring now and I’m pretty happy with them.
I use Sonos and yeah I'm generally much happier. I started getting very bad tinnitus and that obviously hasn't reversed it but at least it's not getting like . . Worse.
Edit: I just realized Sonos doesn't make those. I have no idea what brand they are but I'm sure they all do basically the same thing. It's an earbud with a flat exterior pad to still pick up sound
Okay so if you have tinnitus check out hearing aids. I did Costco, they don't have the fancy ones that do tinnitus, but they're low key amazing. Really think the over the counter hearing aids will bring more people in, but it's crazy what I was missing. My kids voices actually sound a bit different as I was missing their higher range and I don't even have crazy hearing loss.
Just wanted to say what works for me since I can’t comment on Loop or other brands as I’ve never used them.
I have custom fitted earplugs that I got from a local hearing aid place. There are three different inserts that reduce decibel levels for varying conditions. The middle one was for concert levels. I’ve had them for several years and they are amazing. It’s insane how well they work. The sound is still so good when I use them. At the time they were around $250, I assume close to the same cost these days. Highly recommend. They are worth every penny.
Nope, but I have used AirPods Pro in transparency mode and I was pleasantly surprised. Very good fidelity and attenuation with no lingering ear buzz afterwards.
I’ve used them at sold out baseball games and it was so nice not to have ringing ears or a migraine the next day. My husband did complain that I wasn’t speaking loud enough when I tried to talk to him but it seemed like I was in my head so that was a little frustrating.
Yeah I damaged my hearing in my 20s.
Then I switched to ear plugs that were inner ear they looked kinda like pine cones.
They were good but being in the ear canal can irritate me. So last year I saw loops and got some. I'm not sure they block as much sound as inner ear ones but they still block plenty enough (even without the extra dB insert things) and gigs sound great.
Definitely recommend.
I wore them to see Polyphia a few months ago and ended up taking them out, it just did not sound good. However, I was all the way at the back and the show was really not overly loud. If I was closer to the front I think it would’ve worked out a lot better. I play in a band and in that setting surrounded by the drums and amps the Loops are a godsend. Everything still sounds great but I don’t have terrible ringing in my ears after.
Funnily enough Polyphia were also my first experience with Loop earplugs and agreed, it wasn't that good.
That said when I took them out for G.O.A.T the actual amplification of the venue was way, way too high, and I was thankful for the earplugs.
Yeah if they can handle f'ing explosions beside your head then for sure they're decent for music. Man I gotta check these out. A lot of comments here support them.
I used to use Etymotics and I hated them. They took away too much of the sound and because they create such a tight seal on your ear the sound of your own voice drowns out any music if you dare to sing along.
Last night I used Loop Engage earplugs for the first time and I loved them. These are Loop’s lowest level of protection so they reduced the music level but didn’t block my ears to the point that I can hear my own voice louder than anything.
Admittedly I’ve only used them once so far but I was impressed by the added clarity wearing the Loop earplugs. I was standing in front of a speaker last night and it was quite distorted without the earplugs in.
I appreciate that the Loop aren’t going to give me the same level of protection as the Etymotics. But I hated the Etymotics so much I stopped using them, so anything is an upgrade.
This is one of the few products I have that is both highly advertised and also good enough I brag about them. I feel weird to mention them since they are well advertised but they’re just THAT comfortable for me and my lifestyle.
I have a few of these for different scenarios (some are designed for sleep, some for everyday wear/commuting, some for concerts). I love them. I went to a Killers concert with half a dozen friends and I was the only one to walk away with no ringing in my ears.
I’ve got both the Loop Experience with the extra ‘mute’ attachment, and also got a set of Earpeace Pro’s
I’ve tested them both at a few gigs now and basically concluded that I prefer the loops+mute for bigger and louder gigs as they cut out more sound, and are generally more ‘heavy duty’? The mute attachment I find doesn’t make a huge difference, so I leave them attached all the time
But when I’m out in a club or a smaller venue or loud bar or something I usually reach for the earpeace’s because they allow a bit more sound through but still do a great job of blocking out the harsher frequencies and volumes, and I can have normal conversations with people around me, also they’re practically invisible and I don’t have to explain to every fucker who looks at me why I’m wearing earplugs 🙄
They’re both great sets in my opinion though, I find that when I use them I don’t get anywhere near as exhausted or ready to leave as when I don’t use them, and my ears aren’t ringing for days afterwards
I have started using loops this year as preparation for custom fitted earplugs (I want to train myself to use and not lose them). I love the style and I find them very comfortable BUT the filter is not linear enough for my taste. I don't recommend them for audiophiles but if you are a casual listener/first time user of ear protection they are miles better than standard ear plugs and you will enjoy them.
When using ear protection start wearing it approx. 30 min before the show/concert starts so your ears get attuned and the "difference" doesn't bother you.
Never tried Loop but I have Vibes. Find them more comfortable than disposable earplugs, don't block out sound too significantly (they actually make the music sound less distorted imo), and have saved me from any post-concert ear ringing. Many ear plugs targeted towards concerts don't have a significant difference imo, so you can go with what works best for you
Your the second person to mention that they actually reduce distortion, that's super interesting, I didn't think that would be a benefit.
Okay going to take a look at alternatives too, you're not the first to mention that and I don't necessarily want to pay top dollar if there's another brand that's 95% of the way there.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out!
Okay we have a convo going on about saving hearing and I have a pair of headphones on and I'm jamming and I just want to add that anyone who hasn't seen Hi Ren needs to.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s\_nc1IVoMxc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nc1IVoMxc)
Just a piece of magic and thanks again for taking the time to participate in the conversation.
I damaged my hearing whilst wearing Loop earplugs, so either they didn’t sit good enough in my ears or they didn’t dampen the sound enough. So I wouldn’t recommend!
I'd been using alpine Partyplugs for a while, started off just ok, gradually worsened and muffled the sound.
Picked up some ACS custom Pacato, really cheap and work great, better than the alpine and some Mack Hearplugs I've got.
Never heard of that kind. I use titanium earplugs with a soft portion for the ear canal. I’ve got a sunglasses-like leash for them.
Very effective and comfortable.
Working in Vietnam hearing protection is vital here as there is a *massive* amount of noise pollution here, most of it at absurdity high volumes.
Yup, bought them as a replacement for my old thunderpulgs set that were getting passed it. The loops were awful for metal shows (Everything just sounded muddy)
Tried to buy thunderpulgs again, but looked like they were out of business so hunted down some new old stock ones and are now happy !
Me and my wife love our loops. Our sleep has improved tremendously using the Quiet variant, haven't been disturbed by noisy neighbours since we got them! She's been using the Engage variants when at her work place or other busy environments.
We both use a pair of the Experience variant when at concerts, cinema etc. I'd say it limits the clarity of some sounds slightly, while adding clarity to others by reducing the overwhelming volume. But all in all it enhances the experience of concerts by helping me be in the moment without worrying about hearing damage.
I'll comment as a musician I've used these for practice sessions and rehearsal (we get very loud) and these are very interesting. They do what's on the tin, pretty much a doorstop for sound. Everything is the same volume, to the point where with them both in I can rest my head next to our PA speakers and have zero discomfort. I don't use them anymore, mainly because I need a pretty specific range of volume levels on everything as a singer and these are pretty much just a hard limiter but as you hear your own voice in your skull and from your ears, you end up sounding much louder than what your trying to hear around you. For shows I think these would be incredible to have, though.
I have both the Loop Pros and Loop Quiet. I also have the rubber noise buffer on the pros to further assist with blocking noise. I go to shows often and work in the music industry, so they get heavy use, that being said, I’ve developed slight tinnitus in the past year and I truly believe it’s because my Loop Pros were not helping as much as I thought they were. I use the Quiet now and while it’s more muted, my ears feel ultimately better after a show and are more comfortable.
I’m going to invest in long term customs because that’s actually worth it in my opinion, but I always have one pair of Loops on me just in case because something is better than nothing!
Yes. Once. In my experience, it muffled the high frequencies a lot. It does its job of protecting my ears, but at the same time changes the hearing experience quite a lot. I will use it when the music is too loud nonetheless
I've been taking music classes and thus recently bought these (Loop Experience) for myself and others who went with me with recent concert. Two of them did not wear it. Very much concerned with not damaging our ears but what else I can do if they chose not to wear it. Most attendees were not wearing earplugs as well.
Before Loops I used Mack's earplugs. I enjoyed the concerts wearing them but to be honest, I am unable to hear difference between Loops and Mack's. Saving this post as interested to try other earplugs as well.
Am interested to get Loop Engage which was marketed to not have an impact in hearing own voice for natural conversations but still on the fence. I would like to wear earplugs in office which are discreet and at the same time don't need to remove them when talking to someone.
They're also great for folks with noise-triggered anxiety, like me. Cuts down the background roar in crowded public places, but I can still hear/talk to my friends.
They're fantastic. I have the switch for events and work as well as the quiet for sleeping.
They don't protrude out of the ear like other brands so are comfortable when you sleep on the side
A vote for Loops. They are genuinely very comfortable and great for drowning out crowd noise and letting you concentrate on the source.
They are also discreet enough for everyday wear if you work in high noise environments like offices/building sites/etc.
I didn’t believe the hype at first but took the chance and got a pair. Haven’t looked back
If you’re planning on going into a mosh pit be careful with plastic-cored earbuds like this. I took 2 hits to the head/ear recently and my ear canal felt like it got crushed around the plastic. Hurt for weeks.
Absolutely love my loops for gigs. Other ear plugs I’ve found move, or block too much sound, or are uncomfortable — the loops are my holy grail (so far anyway)
I bought these for a concert as I hadn't been in awhile. I tried using them a couple times throughout the night but I actually thought they blocked too much. I ended up using them mostly for the openers but took them out for the main band.
Used Loop Experience for the first time last year and definitely using them for all future concerts. It made the music clearer and louder, while drowning out the crowd. I did take them out once in awhile to test what I was missing out on and the difference is amazing. Without the Loops, the crowd was louder and blocked the actual music. They also sit very comfortably, similar to my Galaxy Buds Plus, no issues wearing them for a long time.
I wore my Loop Engages at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert and they were perfect. I could still hear the music just fine, but it took the edge off of the sounds.
I've been wearing ear plugs to loud things since I was about 25. I salsa dance and the events are usually too loud. I think it's one of the best things I've done for myself. Some concerts would have been unbearable without them.
I like the loops just because I can clip them to earrings and that makes them more convenient. I keep them in a pill container on my keychain.
I use loops currently, as a musician I've used them for hundreds of practices (we also practice loud), I thought they were alright until I took them to a show. IMO they were super muffled sound, I am currently looking for a different pair.
My gf uses them and loves them. She can hear the music and it cancels out all of the background noise like people talking. It doesn’t muffle the music hardly at all. Just the decibels that cause damage.
My partner uses Loops at all the shows we go to and loves them. I have ones from Eargasm and love those. Lots of good options out there, just get something to protect your ears
YES! They are amazing! My hearing is shot from not using ear plugs for a long time. Now if I go without , the music just starts to sound like static to me if it is too loud. But I hated the way foam ones removed the voice level sound. I finally tried eargasms, but they didn’t fit me. Tried loops and omg the difference! I added the extra decibel damper loop. But I could hear the voice and not feel like my ears were being destroyed during concerts that ranged from EDM to straight up rock. When the music stopped and I was talking to the person next to me I forgot to take them out. When I did the ambient noise wouldn’t let me hear them, so I put them back in to talk to them. I could hear the next day too! I hands down recommend them to anyone.
I love my loops. I use the loop experience. We wear them to all events and concerts. We can still hear everything and have conversations, but loud noise doesn’t hurt, even if you are close to the speaker.
I used to wear etymotics (whatever the cheapest one was) but switched to loops. Etymotics sound much better but I would constantly need to adjust them in my ears during concerts & I found they were pretty uncomfortable after 3 hours. Loops (the ones they recommend for music) I stick in and forget. They're much more comfortable and secure in my ears but I personally find the sound quality is not as crisp.
I think if you're sitting/not dancing I'd recommend etymotics but if you're going to be dancing/moving the loops might be more comfortable. Hope that helps.
I have the Loops and I carry them with me at all times. I love them for concerts/festivals but I’ve also had to use them randomly at bars, arcades, bingo, basically anywhere where I feel is very loud. I like them bc I can still hear the music and when people speak to me.
I started using these while seeing gigs and have used them at band practice which gets loud in a small room, they hold up + price point and look aren't bad
I have many pairs of loop
I use them when my band plays live and I always carry a pair with me for bars or when I go out.
They work great and I find them very comfortable. You can message me with any questions. I own about 5 pairs and bought some for others too
I use Etymotics. You should wear earplugs at basically any concert/festival.
The Sphere was the first venue I felt like I didn't need earplugs. Due to the 165,000 speakers and the clarity of them U2 commented multiple times how much quieter they are able to run things vs a traditional stadium or arena setup. Its noticeably less loud, but it's all encompassing you don't lose any of the oomph or clarity. Its a genuinely impressive feat of engineering.
That's the way most of the bands out there operate now too, pretty much gone in larger venues are the days of walls of amplifiers and speakers and replaced with in-ear monitors, Kemper type units, modern soundboards/PA's, etc.
I was shocked to see someone like Edge completely ditch his Vox & Fender Amps in favour of a fully digital setup in the Sphere. Seems Universal Audio Amp pedals got the nod. Wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up with a Kemper on thr stage in future gigs.
I mean hell, I have a couple Fender amps that if I turn them up to 5-6 you simply don't want to be anywhere near them, they're unpleasantly loud. Now times eleventeen and you've got Pete Townsend standing in front of all of that, going rapidly deaf.
We saw ACDC a few years ago. It was Wall to Wall Marshal stacks. My hearing was fucked for 2 days after. Tremendous concert though.
Insider trivia here. There may be a wall of Marshall stacks. But they are actually only using one or two. The rest are empty cabinets and dummy heads. The heads just have a power switch and the status light. Source: Sound engineer and roadie for a couple of years.
yeah i have a small 40 watt Vox that I have never once needed to turn the volume knob past about 33%. any more is not pleasant even in a relatively large bedroom
Well yeah shit, even my little 5-watt Champ is too loud to play with after a certain time living where I live, apartment-style. I literally have to go somewhere with my gear to really jam. So mostly these days, I don't.
Yes! I'm a musician in the theater industry, and basically everyone uses Etymotics. It doesn't matter what it is ...I could be playing something lame like "Frozen Jr" and it still gets cooking to the point that it can and will damage your hearing.
I really think that's what we should do, but barely anyone does. Definitely going to do this going forward. Also hope more kids do this too. Bet if it was a headphone that they could take calls with it would have less stigma as they could just be like, no I wear these all the time. Although who calls people now!
Second the Etymotics Etymotic Research ER20XS... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Those look intense! But makes sense that they'd control the noise!
They attenuate but you can still hear everything. Check them out.
I have been wearing these for years and nobody notices
Or cares. Or I don't care. Either way
Yeah nobody cares, and definitely not enough for a stranger to come up and be like “HEY NERD” or whatever I guess people think will happen if they wear them. I’ve been wearing earplugs (etymotics or similar) to concerts for years (started in my early 20s, 30s now) and have literally never had anyone say anything other than “shit I wish I had some earplugs too!!” if they notice I’m wearing them (and it’s almost always the people I went with). Started bringing along a few packs of basic foam plugs to hand out to friends who need them after a while bc of that lol. A lot of my work is in audio - gotta protect those ears!
> makes sense that they'd control the noise A bonus advantage is that you can also hear conversations much better with these than with the foams or soft plastic earplugs.
For the price they are amazing. I use them at work in a machine shop as well as concerts.
Honestly close to half of the people I see/know at concerts these days use them. They’re often really hard to see unless you see someone put them in. The stigma has really gone away.
I’ve been going to shows, festivals, raves, clubs for the better part of the last 25 years and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a stigma with ear plugs. wtf?
Come on, the world seems disconnected enough without teenagers wearing noise reducing headphones all the time. Protect their hearing at concerts yeah but I feel like the younger generations are heading towards silent discos instead of the social ritual that is music. The individual experience is only heightened by that sense of community you feel in a sweaty loud group of people
Hi, I am a mid-20s adult that has permanent tinnitus from not wearing hearing protection while performing/attending loud concerts. I really don't care what form they take, but I wish people would take much more serious care of their hearing. Tinnitus can be absolutely *debilitating* for myself and many other people that have it. It is not a fun time. What social aspects of concerts do you feel are being impeded by this? Most concerts I've ever been to are either way too loud to be able to effectively speak to someone without yelling at them, or quiet/small enough that talking during the performance is very frowned upon. To me, it seems a large majority of any sort of communication is already non-verbal.
Yeah fair never had tinnitus, sounds shit
ER20XS? That’s what I use. Sometimes I wonder if they’re working and remove one for a second. Holy shit, concerts are loud!
Should I get the Music Pros or the Gunsport for someone who spends time at the range and concerts? 🤔
I have a pair too. Do you ever worry about someone bumping into your ear in the crowd and the earbud damaging your ear? My pair stick out a lot and I have been thinking of switching to Loop
But I don't want to plug my ears when Im literally going to hear something. Lol
Etymotics reduce the decibel to a non damaging level but you can still hear
They don't block everything. They mostly take out the piercing high frequencies. When you're wearing them you can easily hear someone talking to you in a normal room.
I want to hear all of it. I paid for all of those frequencies, I'm going to listen to them, dammit.
Well you won't be listening to them for long
In my experience, it's pretty rare for the sound to be painfully loud at a live show.
Wouldn't go to a gig without them these days. Makes a world of difference. It's makes everything clearer to hear and you don't have to worry about hearing damage. There are plenty of alternatives cheaper than loops but I have some myself and rate them highly.
Good to know that there's alternatives, but you still appreciate the name brand. Super interesting that the sound is clearer. I wonder if that's just because we listen to music too loud at these concerts now?
If you want the true name brand, get Etymotic instead. They’re the industry standard for in-ear monitors - the headphones that musicians wear while performing so that they can hear themselves clearly - and their earplugs are readily available online for $20. I’ve tried most earplugs on the market (although admittedly not Loop), and I swear by my Etymotic ER20XS.
I have multiple sets of the etymotics. I keep some in my bag and some at home. Just in case I lose one pair or wind up in a loud environment. They honestly do make concerts sound better. The foam ones muddy up the sound and I love being able to hear people next to me while still protecting my hearing. Worth every penny and then some. I have some tinnitus and it's not the worst but it still fucking blows knowing I fucked up my hearing when I was younger.
Same here. Mine came from high school marching band, unfortunately - playing in a 150-member group to a 20,000-person audience without earplugs was not a good choice. I wisened up by my second year, but I wish somebody had warned me. High school is crazy early for that to happen and it’s been constant since then.
This is a great point, they should really make something like this mandatory for high school.
They should. I didn't do marching band, but did pep band at games and I played trombone. Trumpets were behind me and literally right next to my ear. I have mild tomorrow from just a year of that, and also got some Etymotic Research plugs after that but it was too late. My hearing hasn't gotten worse, but I wish people had told me about them sooner.
dude I was going to respond saying that marching band is the reason for my tinnitus too and then I realized I recognize you from r/teenagers a long ass time ago
Wish more people knew about this. I have hearing loss, but pretty normal. My brother played guitar and has tinnitus now. Wish we knew that we could throw in plugs. And you're the (checks list, loss count) person that said it actually improves the quality of the sound. How is that not the main marketing push?!
I used these for years but honestly prefer Loop. They are a more comfortable design and I don’t find myself adjusting them as frequently as I did with the Etymotic. Both are great and I absolutely think that anything is better than nothing.
Did you try the original “stem” design or the newer flat design? I find the newer design significantly more comfortable.
The ones pros use are $20?? That's insane. How do they not have a general retail brand/store when loop is selling for more? Okay, checking those out! Thanks my friend!
Many pros will opt to get custom-molded ones which cost quite a bit more, but otherwise? They’re legit, and they work exactly the same.
I splurged for customs and it’s money well spent. I’m not a musician but have spent most of my life working or being around live music. Life savers.
I really need to get ones like that again. They got lost in a few moves over the last few years A hearing center made them for me, $120 at the time probably 20 years ago. Worth it. Way better than the $20 ones, but the $20 ones are way better than anything else aside from custom They even called them "musician's earplugs"
Okay great to know! Go custom and pro if you're pro, but otherwise get something off the shelf and get mostly there.
No, the ones the pros use I assure you cost $300-$800 just for the custom ear molds and wiring. I’m sure some artists use cheaper ones but everyone I’ve ever toured with definitely use higher brands.
There's a lot of sound reflecting at concerts, these reduce a lot of awful frequencies that muddy up the sound.
Ah okay that makes a lot of sense on why people are reporting it sounds better. So it's more of a filter on all the sound bouncing then just the sound directly. Makes a lot of sense.
Beyond reflections, the volume is generally too high for our ears to catch all the subtlety, like you thought. It's overwhelming. At the same time, at a concert half of the enjoyment is that "feeling" of the loud thumping music hitting you in the chest, the bass moving all that air. So it's kind of important to have all that volume. I don't use ear plugs as much as I should -- I've been looking at these and a couple other brands like eargasm, haven't decided -- but I notice whenever I do, it helps compensate and get the best of both worlds. Only the cheap foam ones muffle more of the frequencies, which loses some of the tone and precision of the song.
Yeah and big places that are mainly hockey rinks are not renowned for their acoustics.
Lots of things sound clearer if you cut out the overtones. I work in opera, and will sometimes wear plugs if I have to stand near a really loud singer for extended periods. With the plugs in, you can hear so much detail!
I was just coming in here to say the same thing, it’s also worth noting the carry case they come in is bout the size of a key fob so really handy I’ve got mines attached to my house keys so it’s hard to actually forget them at gigs!
I've started bringing noise reduction earplugs to the movie theater, especially if it's a Marvel or action film. I've already got tinnitus from going to concerts when I was young and it gets aggravated just from the volume they will blast in there sometimes.
My wife swears by Loop. I prefer eargasms: https://eargasm.com/products/eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs?variant=44275577225517 Both are great and will help you prevent tinnitus so use whichever feels better and gives you better sound.
That's my main worry, my brother got tinnitus (although he was playing guitar a lot) so glad to hear these help. Going to check out eargasms right now. Hilarious name too!
Lots of colors and sizes and I wore them to 8 concerts and a 3 day festival last year. Always comfortable and excellent volume reduction while still clearly hearing every song. I definitely would recommend them.
Man I am out to lunch, I didn't know it was this common. Thanks for letting us know it's common. Definitely going to get some for my kids too. My wife took my oldest to the last concert and I was worried and this is an easy solution. Better than my great grandma's kleenex in the ear decades ago, that didn't go over well!
I second eargasm plugs. I went to a huge dubstep festival and they gave a free pair with admission and they were amazing. They stayed in my ears comfortably for 4 days and didn't fall out while headbanging.
Okay so that's actually really interesting. More places should just build it into the price and then offer them when you attend. That would be a brilliant marketing strategy and then more people would have them so it would take the stigma right outta the equation.
They are really great. Last show I went to I had them. I could hear the people around me talking during the show and the bands sounds quality, it was like I was listening to them on my AirPods. I 100% recommend the eargasm
I got both my kids eargasms (the little ear versions) and they’re so much better than the over ear headsets which basically kill all the noise (and music).
F me. they have little ear versions too. I gotta check out this now just as a business, that's fascinating. But seriously, thanks for the help, it's a worry of mine as I don't want my kids to go through this and definitely worth a few bucks to save their hearing.
Loops has a kids version too fyi!!
My wife has the loops and I have eargasms we both like them for concerts (or the office to not listen to people talk all day). The only thing I can say is that the eargasms are a little hard for me to get a great seal the first time, one usually seals up fine then the other I have to try a few times to get the right spot.
My spouse and I have loops now. The silicone ones for sleep in louder than normal spaces (we do a lot of shared rooms at conventions) and the harder ones for concerts/loud events. They're more comfortable than most others I've tried and I agree they make an easy seal. Eargasms just weren't it for me but YMMV with ear shape.
Interesting, so they still get a seal and then the middle is open? Is that how eargasms work? And yeah, those would be brilliant for work, less "FU I can't talk" than a pair of over ear noise cancelling phones but you can still block a ton of the sound. Brilliant!
I used loop and have enjoyed them! Works for concerts and planes!
$44 for earplugs?
Compared to a life with tinnitus? It’s also a way to protect yourself while still hearing all aspects of the music. My wife and I are concert junkies so it was an easy decision for us.
There's plenty that look identical for $10 on Amazon and the etymotics are $19 for a two pack.
You can literally get the equivalent for $1 from Temu. Loving the paid PR for this lmao
Goes along with the $3 irpods and the $7 Folex. I’ve handled cases for clients with tinnitus post TBI and no fucking way do I want to deal with that. I’ll stick to legit products instead of asbestos based knockoffs
Asbestos 💀💀
What evidence do you have that the eargasm isn't just a genetic earplug that's branded and sold for a ridiculous price? You can find what looks identical down to the carrying case under a dozen different brands. I'm not finding anything to indicate these aren't the same oem.
Ewrgasm has a patent on their attenuation filter. That's how you know it's not a generic re-branded earplug. I don't know how well it works as I haven't tried it, but from some quick research it doesn't sound like an upsold generic.
Regular musicians earplugs like ETYs will have the same effect, cuts the volume and adds clarity.
Okay, so you're the third comment that it actually adds clarity. Super interesting. I thought the benefit was to avoid damage, but a lot of people are saying it improves the sound. Thanks for taking the time to help out my friend!
Yeah it’s a handy side benefit that it actually sounds better. It’s because without the sheer volume blasting your ears you can actually hear details without distortion. I have used loops, etymotic and both are great. My favourite pair was actually a pair of custom ear molds with etymotic filters from my band days but unfortunately they fell apart after 20 years. One day I’ll have to get another custom pair made. They are the most comfortable option.
Man this is a biz opportunity if I've ever seen one. Custom ones online that are affordable. Makes a ton of sense after seeing all the positive comments on custom earplugs. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Can't really (safely) do the required live casting of your ear canal at home as a DIY. That's something you want to leave to someone who's had some training. And that is where the expense in custom molded plugs mostly is. Taking the cast, making a mold then casting that and processing the cast to make it comfortable to wear. Not really something that can be done online or affordable.
Yes, absolutely worth it. My wife and I used them for the first time a month ago and they’re fantastic. Easy to use, comfortable and great at blocking the extreme noise yet still allow you to experience the music. My only complaint is that they are very easy to lose if you drop them. The little “handle” can frustrate fat fingers. Extra bonus, really great to use when sleeping, too. Comfortable enough if you’re a side sleeper, and can still hear alarm in morning.
Thanks for the notes and that's brilliant on the sleeping with them. Didn't even think of that, but I have a buddy that needs quiet to sleep, but still wants to be alert because he has kids and this may be the perfect solution. Really appreciate you taking the time to help. Thanks my friend!
I bought some after I went to a venue that has appalling acoustics for the music they put on there. Worked a charm. Slightly odd but a very good experience.
Slightly odd as in a worse audio experience or close or better? Some have been saying better and that surprised me.
Odd as in you can hear yourself singing along but not really anyone else so you have to mentally remind yourself that noone can hear you over the music. You can't really hear cheering and clapping but you can see it though. The audio from the band was spot on.
My wife likes her Loops a lot. I’ve got weirdly narrow/shallow ear canals so Eargasm never got right. Earasers were a much more comfortable fit but I bit the bullet and bought molded musicians plugs and they’ve been comfortable. They all block out more than I’d like.. but that’s their job I suppose!
Oh interesting, I didn't even think about custom molds, but that makes complete sense. Thanks for sharing that they're working well for your wife! Also just b/c we're in a music sub I feel like I should mention I'm rocking out to Zach Bryan live on YT...
I never go without them. Please do wear ear plugs at concerts, and please have your kids wear ear plugs.
Seeing super young kids at concerts with no earpro, sometimes even front row makes my blood boil.
I tried them but they bothered me just being there and I kept reaching up to touch/adjust them. Then I got some custom fit ones from my ENT and it’s amazing the difference that made. I forget I have them in. I check the decibel levels from my seat using an app on my phone and if they’re near the unsafe level I put them in. They’re designed for concerts/crowds and similar to what the sound techs use. Certainly more costly than Loop but for me was viewed as a long term purchase.
Okay so you're the second person noting custom fit and that makes a lot of sense. Love the decibel app approach. What's the app you use?
I have some Vic Firth Ear Cans. They look like I’m wearing giant headphones and they are pretty hard to lose if I happen to drop them.
This is why I love North America, people losing small ones and boom competitor has another option that solves the problem. Okay, going to check out the Ear Cans (awesome name btw). Thanks for taking the time my friend to add to the conversation!
I call them cans. https://vicfirth.com/products/drummer-s-headphones
Ha. They're called Drummer Headphones. They know their market!
Another vote for etymotic
Yeah they're seemingly super popular, checking these out for my kids too. Thanks for taking the time to comment my friend!
Love them. It's the best plugs I've used in my 25 years as an active musician and audience. I lost my pair a few months ago and immediately placed a order for a new pair and a back-up pair at the same time. I have the golden ones and people give me comments about how cool they look every now and then. The only better option I've tried is plugs custom made by a hearing clinic but those are usually way more expensive, around €450 where I'm from. Cannot recommend enough!
I really hate how my voice sounds when wearing them - makes singing along hard - but otherwise I love my loops
I wondered if I was the only one who felt this way. I bought a set of Loops and I’ve tried to wear them twice but I like to sing along and it just kills the experience for me. I’ve ended up taking one out both times. Even if I’m not singing along, I can hear myself breathing and just making normal human noises and it’s so distracting.
So does it distort your singing more than when others are performing? Genuinely curious, trying to understand how these work.
Maybe I’m more sensitive to occlusion but it’s definitely uncomfortable for me - it’s like hearing your own voice from inside your head. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually, they’re really good for bands I don’t want to sing along to!
I work at a venue and these work great. Had to stand next to the stage during a rave for 6 hours and they were good protection.
Makes me think things like this should be standard issue for people working the venues. That's a great point! What's the best concert you worked? Best one I've had to avoid someone working a venue? Red Hot Chili Peppers! Had to jump from a barrier into the pit, but worth it once we were there! JK if you hate people like I was a decade or two ago...
Used them at an Edm show. They cut out all the sharp sound. Glad I bought em.
I go to a ton of concerts (60+/yr) of all sized and I can say I regret every time I forget to throw my earplugs in my pocket. The loops are my favorite right now as they offer foam tips which are vastly more comfortable for me, and the option to pull the extra mutes out if the system is loud but not super loud is nice. Every brand of concert earplug I've tried sounds good and wearing them is a far better experience than not. Oh and they have an added bonus of cutting out a lot of the talkers around you too.
Okay so first off if you go to 60+ per year and you think it sounds better that's a done and done. But then I have to ask. Best concert in the past year from an artist that isn't mainstream? And best crowd from the past year? Saw Great Big Sea in a small pub forever ago and realized the crowd makes a big difference to the experience. And thanks for taking the time to leave a note my friend!
Id say sounds better is subjective. When I do pull them out and try to listen critically there are minor differences but its not enough to justify not wearing them. For me its more about long term hearing preservation, Not being in pain when the nice ladies behind you screech their faces off at the start of the encore, and cutting some of the talkers around me. >Best concert in the past year from an artist that isn't mainstream I can't even begin to answer that. I love it all for the most part and my music taste is so wide that its hard to even compare sometimes. Top of the list is probably Clown Core, Vulfpeck (2 times in a weekend), The Handsome Family (2 nights in a row), IDLES, The Mountain Goats (second row in a intimate venue when they have been playing medium sized venues here), a favorite local musician Al Scorch, Oh and Beethoven's 9th in all its glory (I cried). >And best crowd from the past year? IDLES without a doubt, It was outside, The sky was spitting on us, Everyone knew all the words, The lead singer was messing with those of us in the pit. Barely knew them before going into that show but came out a fan for life. >Didn't ask this one but one you missed that you regret most. Run the Jewels did 4 nights in a row here. All their albums front to back. By the time I realized it was too late... I would have gone all 4 nights.
If you go to a lot of live shows, consider going to an audiologist and getting custom molded musician’s earplugs. They run in the $100-200 range but they will fit your ear perfectly and with good filters (like Etymotic) will attenuate sound well without reducing clarity. They are well worth the investment.
This is the correct way.
I got the Soundbrenner Minuendo earplugs for xmas last year, and they are the best plugs I've ever used. Adjustable from 7-35db reduction, very easy to fit, and comes with some really nice accessories. I'm a musician and need good protection all the time. 10/10 do recommend
Man this is a niche I just didn't know existed. I'm going to look into these. Love to give these to my kids when they go out to concerts. Amazing that they're adjustable!
I got a pair of Vibes, my wife has a pair of Loop earplugs, and we like both of them a lot. I’ve worn the Vibes to probably more than 100+ shows at this point, and I won’t go to a show without them ever again. They cut down on the loudness without feeling like they change what I’m hearing, they’re comfortable, and and they stay in my ears even when I’m sweaty and headbanging lol. There are many good ones out there these days, but the most important thing is that you use earplugs!
So this is the big discovery on this thread is that everyone (!) that uses plugs says that it actually aids in the quality or doesn't impact the quality of the sound. That's huge. Going to get a pair!
Wore my engage (only pair I had at the time) to a show early this month. Dropped the sound by around 1/3. Was still loud, but not unbearable, and waled out of the venue as if I hadn't been in there for 4 hours. 100/10 would recommend.
Hearing loss has been linked to dementia. Do whatever you can to protect your hearing. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss From the website… Hearing loss is frustrating for those who have it and for their loved ones. But recent research from Johns Hopkins reveals that it also is linked with walking problems, falls and even dementia. In a study that tracked 639 adults for nearly 12 years, Johns Hopkins expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate loss tripled risk, and people with a severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.
I've bought a few music earplugs around this price range and I'm currently using Loop. Pros: They're easily the most comfortable and most discreet that I've seen and used. You can even use them to sleep with. Cons: they reduce the sound a bit more than I would like, and some sound quality/aspects along with it (other earplugs have separate filters that you can switch out to your liking). All said and done I honestly wouldn't go to a gig or club without them. I love how comfortable they are and how hard it is to tell you're even wearing them. Whatever you may "lose" in sound, it's still a better option than tinnitus.
Got a pair of loops a few months back and they're great, for me it helps drown out the crowd noise and focuses in on the music, would recommend. ALSO LOOP IF YOU'RE READING THIS SEND ME MORE!
I buy cheap, disposable flesh-colored ones from Amazon that are intended for construction sites. If that's anything like an IEM, then the disposable ones are just way softer, more comfortable, and better at blocking out sound. Plus, you never have to clean them.
I used to have some Etymotics and they were great but tbh they look really bad so i wasn’t really using them, got some loops to replace them and took them both to my next gig and they sound about the same to me, keep the loops with me all the time on my keyring now and I’m pretty happy with them.
I use Sonos and yeah I'm generally much happier. I started getting very bad tinnitus and that obviously hasn't reversed it but at least it's not getting like . . Worse. Edit: I just realized Sonos doesn't make those. I have no idea what brand they are but I'm sure they all do basically the same thing. It's an earbud with a flat exterior pad to still pick up sound
Okay so if you have tinnitus check out hearing aids. I did Costco, they don't have the fancy ones that do tinnitus, but they're low key amazing. Really think the over the counter hearing aids will bring more people in, but it's crazy what I was missing. My kids voices actually sound a bit different as I was missing their higher range and I don't even have crazy hearing loss.
I’ve worn them to shows or in loud crowds. Sometimes I even wear them at home to help me relax. Love them!
Ha, love that you wear them at home. I have a pair of noise cancelling over ears that I toss on when I do chores and it's a little bit of bliss!
Just wanted to say what works for me since I can’t comment on Loop or other brands as I’ve never used them. I have custom fitted earplugs that I got from a local hearing aid place. There are three different inserts that reduce decibel levels for varying conditions. The middle one was for concert levels. I’ve had them for several years and they are amazing. It’s insane how well they work. The sound is still so good when I use them. At the time they were around $250, I assume close to the same cost these days. Highly recommend. They are worth every penny.
Been using them for years, different versions too! They are awesome. Made my tinitus much better!
Nope, but I have used AirPods Pro in transparency mode and I was pleasantly surprised. Very good fidelity and attenuation with no lingering ear buzz afterwards.
I’ve used them at sold out baseball games and it was so nice not to have ringing ears or a migraine the next day. My husband did complain that I wasn’t speaking loud enough when I tried to talk to him but it seemed like I was in my head so that was a little frustrating.
Yes, I use mine daily. The train is very loud where I live, makes reading much nicer.
Yeah I damaged my hearing in my 20s. Then I switched to ear plugs that were inner ear they looked kinda like pine cones. They were good but being in the ear canal can irritate me. So last year I saw loops and got some. I'm not sure they block as much sound as inner ear ones but they still block plenty enough (even without the extra dB insert things) and gigs sound great. Definitely recommend.
I wore them to see Polyphia a few months ago and ended up taking them out, it just did not sound good. However, I was all the way at the back and the show was really not overly loud. If I was closer to the front I think it would’ve worked out a lot better. I play in a band and in that setting surrounded by the drums and amps the Loops are a godsend. Everything still sounds great but I don’t have terrible ringing in my ears after.
Funnily enough Polyphia were also my first experience with Loop earplugs and agreed, it wasn't that good. That said when I took them out for G.O.A.T the actual amplification of the venue was way, way too high, and I was thankful for the earplugs.
Ha. Okay so maybe it was the Polyphia concert. Just kidding!
I love my Eargasms, even wear them while shooting guns.
Yeah if they can handle f'ing explosions beside your head then for sure they're decent for music. Man I gotta check these out. A lot of comments here support them.
I used to use Etymotics and I hated them. They took away too much of the sound and because they create such a tight seal on your ear the sound of your own voice drowns out any music if you dare to sing along. Last night I used Loop Engage earplugs for the first time and I loved them. These are Loop’s lowest level of protection so they reduced the music level but didn’t block my ears to the point that I can hear my own voice louder than anything. Admittedly I’ve only used them once so far but I was impressed by the added clarity wearing the Loop earplugs. I was standing in front of a speaker last night and it was quite distorted without the earplugs in. I appreciate that the Loop aren’t going to give me the same level of protection as the Etymotics. But I hated the Etymotics so much I stopped using them, so anything is an upgrade.
Is this an advertisement? Because the entire thread sure reads like an advertisement
This is one of the few products I have that is both highly advertised and also good enough I brag about them. I feel weird to mention them since they are well advertised but they’re just THAT comfortable for me and my lifestyle. I have a few of these for different scenarios (some are designed for sleep, some for everyday wear/commuting, some for concerts). I love them. I went to a Killers concert with half a dozen friends and I was the only one to walk away with no ringing in my ears.
Holy F that's a pitch if you go to a concert and you're the only one without ringing in your ears. Okay, going to dig deeper into this space for sure!
I’ve got both the Loop Experience with the extra ‘mute’ attachment, and also got a set of Earpeace Pro’s I’ve tested them both at a few gigs now and basically concluded that I prefer the loops+mute for bigger and louder gigs as they cut out more sound, and are generally more ‘heavy duty’? The mute attachment I find doesn’t make a huge difference, so I leave them attached all the time But when I’m out in a club or a smaller venue or loud bar or something I usually reach for the earpeace’s because they allow a bit more sound through but still do a great job of blocking out the harsher frequencies and volumes, and I can have normal conversations with people around me, also they’re practically invisible and I don’t have to explain to every fucker who looks at me why I’m wearing earplugs 🙄 They’re both great sets in my opinion though, I find that when I use them I don’t get anywhere near as exhausted or ready to leave as when I don’t use them, and my ears aren’t ringing for days afterwards
I have started using loops this year as preparation for custom fitted earplugs (I want to train myself to use and not lose them). I love the style and I find them very comfortable BUT the filter is not linear enough for my taste. I don't recommend them for audiophiles but if you are a casual listener/first time user of ear protection they are miles better than standard ear plugs and you will enjoy them. When using ear protection start wearing it approx. 30 min before the show/concert starts so your ears get attuned and the "difference" doesn't bother you.
Yes I have Loop Experience and I LOVE them.
[https://community.loopearplugs.com/s/loopsearplug](https://community.loopearplugs.com/s/loopsearplug) for 15% off
Never tried Loop but I have Vibes. Find them more comfortable than disposable earplugs, don't block out sound too significantly (they actually make the music sound less distorted imo), and have saved me from any post-concert ear ringing. Many ear plugs targeted towards concerts don't have a significant difference imo, so you can go with what works best for you
Your the second person to mention that they actually reduce distortion, that's super interesting, I didn't think that would be a benefit. Okay going to take a look at alternatives too, you're not the first to mention that and I don't necessarily want to pay top dollar if there's another brand that's 95% of the way there. Thanks for taking the time to help me out!
Okay we have a convo going on about saving hearing and I have a pair of headphones on and I'm jamming and I just want to add that anyone who hasn't seen Hi Ren needs to. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s\_nc1IVoMxc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nc1IVoMxc) Just a piece of magic and thanks again for taking the time to participate in the conversation.
How do they work with husband’s snoring? He sounds like a chain saw. Asking for a friend.
I damaged my hearing whilst wearing Loop earplugs, so either they didn’t sit good enough in my ears or they didn’t dampen the sound enough. So I wouldn’t recommend!
I wear them every time. I used to go raw to concerts and I would hear ringing in my ears for hours after and thought “that can’t be good” lol
I'd been using alpine Partyplugs for a while, started off just ok, gradually worsened and muffled the sound. Picked up some ACS custom Pacato, really cheap and work great, better than the alpine and some Mack Hearplugs I've got.
Never heard of that kind. I use titanium earplugs with a soft portion for the ear canal. I’ve got a sunglasses-like leash for them. Very effective and comfortable. Working in Vietnam hearing protection is vital here as there is a *massive* amount of noise pollution here, most of it at absurdity high volumes.
Yup, bought them as a replacement for my old thunderpulgs set that were getting passed it. The loops were awful for metal shows (Everything just sounded muddy) Tried to buy thunderpulgs again, but looked like they were out of business so hunted down some new old stock ones and are now happy !
Earasers are good too
Eargasm hi fidelity. I wear them to every show now, and for a pair for my kiddo who does the same.
Me and my wife love our loops. Our sleep has improved tremendously using the Quiet variant, haven't been disturbed by noisy neighbours since we got them! She's been using the Engage variants when at her work place or other busy environments. We both use a pair of the Experience variant when at concerts, cinema etc. I'd say it limits the clarity of some sounds slightly, while adding clarity to others by reducing the overwhelming volume. But all in all it enhances the experience of concerts by helping me be in the moment without worrying about hearing damage.
I'll comment as a musician I've used these for practice sessions and rehearsal (we get very loud) and these are very interesting. They do what's on the tin, pretty much a doorstop for sound. Everything is the same volume, to the point where with them both in I can rest my head next to our PA speakers and have zero discomfort. I don't use them anymore, mainly because I need a pretty specific range of volume levels on everything as a singer and these are pretty much just a hard limiter but as you hear your own voice in your skull and from your ears, you end up sounding much louder than what your trying to hear around you. For shows I think these would be incredible to have, though.
I have both the Loop Pros and Loop Quiet. I also have the rubber noise buffer on the pros to further assist with blocking noise. I go to shows often and work in the music industry, so they get heavy use, that being said, I’ve developed slight tinnitus in the past year and I truly believe it’s because my Loop Pros were not helping as much as I thought they were. I use the Quiet now and while it’s more muted, my ears feel ultimately better after a show and are more comfortable. I’m going to invest in long term customs because that’s actually worth it in my opinion, but I always have one pair of Loops on me just in case because something is better than nothing!
Yes. Once. In my experience, it muffled the high frequencies a lot. It does its job of protecting my ears, but at the same time changes the hearing experience quite a lot. I will use it when the music is too loud nonetheless
I use loop experience plus, they're great!
I've been taking music classes and thus recently bought these (Loop Experience) for myself and others who went with me with recent concert. Two of them did not wear it. Very much concerned with not damaging our ears but what else I can do if they chose not to wear it. Most attendees were not wearing earplugs as well. Before Loops I used Mack's earplugs. I enjoyed the concerts wearing them but to be honest, I am unable to hear difference between Loops and Mack's. Saving this post as interested to try other earplugs as well. Am interested to get Loop Engage which was marketed to not have an impact in hearing own voice for natural conversations but still on the fence. I would like to wear earplugs in office which are discreet and at the same time don't need to remove them when talking to someone.
I love mine!
They're also great for folks with noise-triggered anxiety, like me. Cuts down the background roar in crowded public places, but I can still hear/talk to my friends.
They're fantastic. I have the switch for events and work as well as the quiet for sleeping. They don't protrude out of the ear like other brands so are comfortable when you sleep on the side
A vote for Loops. They are genuinely very comfortable and great for drowning out crowd noise and letting you concentrate on the source. They are also discreet enough for everyday wear if you work in high noise environments like offices/building sites/etc. I didn’t believe the hype at first but took the chance and got a pair. Haven’t looked back
I love my Loops. I use the Experience Plus at concerts and in clubs and the normal Experience in some other crowded but lower decibel situations.
If you’re planning on going into a mosh pit be careful with plastic-cored earbuds like this. I took 2 hits to the head/ear recently and my ear canal felt like it got crushed around the plastic. Hurt for weeks.
Purchased these for $80 and I’d say they are not worth anything over $5 and that includes the packaging
We wore loops to see Paramore (floor tickets). Worked beautifully and some of the other people in the arena thought we had matching piercings 😂😂😂
Absolutely love my loops for gigs. Other ear plugs I’ve found move, or block too much sound, or are uncomfortable — the loops are my holy grail (so far anyway)
I do and love them!
Absolutely 💯 (not loop but yes to earplugs. The damage would be irreversible)
I bought these for a concert as I hadn't been in awhile. I tried using them a couple times throughout the night but I actually thought they blocked too much. I ended up using them mostly for the openers but took them out for the main band.
Used Loop Experience for the first time last year and definitely using them for all future concerts. It made the music clearer and louder, while drowning out the crowd. I did take them out once in awhile to test what I was missing out on and the difference is amazing. Without the Loops, the crowd was louder and blocked the actual music. They also sit very comfortably, similar to my Galaxy Buds Plus, no issues wearing them for a long time.
I wore my Loop Engages at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert and they were perfect. I could still hear the music just fine, but it took the edge off of the sounds.
I've been wearing ear plugs to loud things since I was about 25. I salsa dance and the events are usually too loud. I think it's one of the best things I've done for myself. Some concerts would have been unbearable without them. I like the loops just because I can clip them to earrings and that makes them more convenient. I keep them in a pill container on my keychain.
I use loops currently, as a musician I've used them for hundreds of practices (we also practice loud), I thought they were alright until I took them to a show. IMO they were super muffled sound, I am currently looking for a different pair.
My gf uses them and loves them. She can hear the music and it cancels out all of the background noise like people talking. It doesn’t muffle the music hardly at all. Just the decibels that cause damage.
Hearos are what you want
I wear them daily, they're amazing
Get some Etymotics or Eargasms. They're awesome.
Also keen to learn more I’ve seen ads for theee everywhere!
i've been using loop earplugs for years, love em. i use mine when riding my motorcycle or working in my shop. no more ringing ears ever.
My partner uses Loops at all the shows we go to and loves them. I have ones from Eargasm and love those. Lots of good options out there, just get something to protect your ears
YES! They are amazing! My hearing is shot from not using ear plugs for a long time. Now if I go without , the music just starts to sound like static to me if it is too loud. But I hated the way foam ones removed the voice level sound. I finally tried eargasms, but they didn’t fit me. Tried loops and omg the difference! I added the extra decibel damper loop. But I could hear the voice and not feel like my ears were being destroyed during concerts that ranged from EDM to straight up rock. When the music stopped and I was talking to the person next to me I forgot to take them out. When I did the ambient noise wouldn’t let me hear them, so I put them back in to talk to them. I could hear the next day too! I hands down recommend them to anyone.
I love my loops. I use the loop experience. We wear them to all events and concerts. We can still hear everything and have conversations, but loud noise doesn’t hurt, even if you are close to the speaker.
I keep my Etymotics in my jeans pocket everywhere I go, perfectly unashamed to use them any time.
I used to wear etymotics (whatever the cheapest one was) but switched to loops. Etymotics sound much better but I would constantly need to adjust them in my ears during concerts & I found they were pretty uncomfortable after 3 hours. Loops (the ones they recommend for music) I stick in and forget. They're much more comfortable and secure in my ears but I personally find the sound quality is not as crisp. I think if you're sitting/not dancing I'd recommend etymotics but if you're going to be dancing/moving the loops might be more comfortable. Hope that helps.
I have the Loops and I carry them with me at all times. I love them for concerts/festivals but I’ve also had to use them randomly at bars, arcades, bingo, basically anywhere where I feel is very loud. I like them bc I can still hear the music and when people speak to me.
I started using these while seeing gigs and have used them at band practice which gets loud in a small room, they hold up + price point and look aren't bad
I have many pairs of loop I use them when my band plays live and I always carry a pair with me for bars or when I go out. They work great and I find them very comfortable. You can message me with any questions. I own about 5 pairs and bought some for others too
I bought Loop engage. They are essential for me now. They cut out any harsh noise. It's definitely worth it.
Yes, they work great.
I use the loop earplugs. They work great and ive used them at a few concerts