ear plugs, are proper ones worth it?

The monitors give better sound quality than the kit that comes with the i-pod and allow me to set a much lower volume on anything I run through the autocom, they also act as an ear plug.

Originally Posted by Brettus

I'm pondering getting a set of ear plugs made by ultimate ear or some other place at the show. Has anyone used them and are they significantly better than the disposable ones?

I currently use uvex comfortfit ones, I rather like them but am wondering if they will block even more sound, which would be nice.

Any thoughts? also curious about longevity of them, anyone used some for a long while?

Been using my custom ones for over twenty yrs,don't remember what they're made of.A bit loose now I think my ears are still growing.
Probably cheaper than twenty yrs of disposable ones.

I've been using the yellow industrial EAR plugs for some years. A while agoI asked night shift pal of mine to get me a few packs from stores and leave them in my toolbox, got in next morning, opened my box and found every spare bit of space filled with ear plugs, must have been around 300 pairs. That was 15 years ago and I still have a few pairs left!

That all I've ever used and they do a great job. They keep the wind noise down but I find I can hear the engine and surrounding noise better (although I tend to use my eye's rather than ears to spot emergency vehicles!).

I've sometimes wondered about ear plugs which incorporate headphones, I may look into that.

Originally Posted by merlin427

I've been using the yellow industrial EAR plugs for some years. A while agoI asked night shift pal of mine to get me a few packs from stores and leave them in my toolbox, got in next morning, opened my box and found every spare bit of space filled with ear plugs, must have been around 300 pairs. That was 15 years ago and I still have a few pairs left!

That all I've ever used and they do a great job. They keep the wind noise down but I find I can hear the engine and surrounding noise better (although I tend to use my eye's rather than ears to spot emergency vehicles!).

I've sometimes wondered about ear plugs which incorporate headphones, I may look into that.

I use the same when i'm just going out and about for a ride, as long as you put them in right i think their great like you say guts down on windnoise and such whilst still hearing the engine

[Mr Speirs]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I've seen the term "monitors" bandied about, are these same as earphones or low quality sound or what?

The term monitors comes from the audio/broadcast industry. IEM or In Ear Monitors are used to discreetly provide the performer or presenter with an audio feed without making any noise or it being audible to anyone else.

Most people that use these systems day in day out get custom moulds made and a set of Custom IEM's made. These are much much better audio quality wise than iPod or similar earphones and provide 26db of attenuation. I am actually in the process of getting some made myself but they aren't cheap. The ones I am getting cost £430 and whilst they are very very good, they are the bottom of the range ones of that particular manufacturer.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

and provide 26db of attenuation.

So less than the 27-33 db that foam disposables are usually rated at.

[Mr Speirs]

Yes

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

The term monitors comes from the audio/broadcast industry. IEM or In Ear Monitors are used to discreetly provide the performer or presenter with an audio feed without making any noise or it being audible to anyone else.

Most people that use these systems day in day out get custom moulds made and a set of Custom IEM's made. These are much much better audio quality wise than iPod or similar earphones and provide 26db of attenuation. I am actually in the process of getting some made myself but they aren't cheap. The ones I am getting cost £430 and whilst they are very very good, they are the bottom of the range ones of that particular manufacturer.

In that case I guess I'll not be bothering!

[Mr Speirs]

The £430 price tag is because they are the standard of quality required in the audio industry where as you can pick up custom in ear monitorr for around the £200.

You can also get custom ear plugs which attentuate evenly across the whole frequency range of hearing so you hear everything as clearly just 10 15 or 25db quieter. They come in at £191.

But for just custom silicone ear plugs they are around the £80 mark.

another recommendation for ultimate ear monitor jobbies. would still have them if i had been a bit more careful and not pulled them apart!

fantastic sound quality and sound deadening. they do say that you have to replace them every few years as your ears do continue to grow.