Best ear defenders for live performance?

[Bass Wielder]

This may already be covered…I haven’t seen so here goes🤞🏽

I use custom moulded JH Audio IEMs for gigs that support this but for regular gigs I have never really used but feel the need to do so now.

(Never too late and especially after a recent hearing test🫣)

*Do I have to go custom for this?

*Any off the shelf generics experience here?

*Any bass player specific options?

etc……..

All suggestions welcome.

I’ll put the kettle on🤓

 

[tauzero]

I've just started using Alpine Musicsafe Pro plugs and they seem pretty good. The band isn't overwhelmingly loud, so the silver filters are fine. The sound reduction seems well balanced. I do have another couple of pairs that I can't remember the origins of which seem to filter out highs a bit more than lows - usable (I used them last night for some reason, I'd got the Alpines with me). And for motorcycling I use the Howard Leight MAX earplugs, which I haven't tried at a gig but I suspect wouldn't be ideal.

[chris_b]

ACS, ACS, ACS

[Bolo]

Something like those alpines is fine, though custom is better in sound quality, reliability, fit and damping.

Most on here use ACS custom molds, which can be fitted at Booths. 

There's a bass chat discount I believe, and a musicians union discount? Others will supply the details shortly I trust.

[Lozz196]

Yup, ACS PRO 17s for me, their most natural sounding ones apparently.

[Bass Wielder]

Looking them up as we speak! 🤞🏽

[MichaelDean]

BASS15 is the discount code. Well worth the money. 

[dmccombe7]

ACS Pro 17's for me too. So good i even bought my wife the same as she attends all my gigs and is usually sat in front or near the PA.

Dave

[chris_b]

I have Pro 17's and Pro 26's, for when I'm playing with a certain guitarist!!

[Skybone]

ACS Custom Pro 17's. Definitely worth the money.

 

I put off getting some for years, but finally got some a couple of years ago. Well worth it.

[deepbass5]

The volume knob

[Stub Mandrel]

Just received some Alpine Musicsafe pro earplugs, lots of hits on here for them saying they are good.
 

I've tried them on the silver ~22db inserts and they definitly work. They do cut the highs more than teh lows, which is how they are designed. I'll have to see how they work out at a gig/rehearsal, but should be a good solution for controlling harsh snare/cymbal noise.

[Owen]

Anyone reading this needs to get proper moulded ones. Saving 100 quid to use plugs which are not guaranteed to seal is asking for trouble. Every one of us who has tinnitus/top end loss/hyperacusis (sp?)/something else would spend that 100 quid without blinking to make their hearing right. Most of us would spend 10 or 20 times that. But we cannot. Once the damage is done, it is game over. No one sits there listening to their ears whine/grumble/rumble or just not work and thinks "so glad I saved the cost of 3 sets of strings".

 

Do it right first time. I am not pointing at anyone who is using anything else. 

 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

39 minutes ago, Owen said:

Anyone reading this needs to get proper moulded ones. Saving 100 quid to use plugs which are not guaranteed to seal is asking for trouble. Every one of us who has tinnitus/top end loss/hyperacusis (sp?)/something else would spend that 100 quid without blinking to make their hearing right. Most of us would spend 10 or 20 times that. But we cannot. Once the damage is done, it is game over. No one sits there listening to their ears whine/grumble/rumble or just not work and thinks "so glad I saved the cost of 3 sets of strings".

 

Do it right first time. I am not pointing at anyone who is using anything else. 

 

 

 

I think it depends on your ears and the style of earplug. I have no issue getting a good seal with ordinary 'three cup' earplugs.