Hearos Hi-Fi question...

makanudo · #1 10-29-2010, 11:12 AM

Hey guys, i might go to this gig tonight and even though it is in a bar im pretty sure it will get loud, very, so i was wondering if bringing my Hearos HI-Fi will be enough protection for my ears?

bassman1185 · #2 10-29-2010, 11:22 AM

Yes. You'll be fine, assuming that the soundguy isn't a total idiot with the volume.

Just for the record, 12-15db doesn't sound like a lot of volume reduction, but it really makes a HUGE difference. I was wearing my Hi-Fi Hearos while I was out shooting my shotgun the other day, and they worked fine.

makanudo · #3 10-29-2010, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the quick response, yeah i hope he doesn't.

The headlining band is like a legend for mexican metal so im expecting it to be pretty loud, ive seen them before and my ears were sore so i hopemy Hi fi's do fine

Rocks · #4 11-03-2010, 09:33 AM

I have the HI-Fi Hearos and find mine very uncomfortable and they make it sound like someone threw a blanket over everything, almost no high end gets through which surprised me as they are called HI-FI

wcriley · #5 11-03-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Yes. You'll be fine, assuming that the soundguy isn't a total idiot with the volume.

IMO, if the audience needs to wear ear protection, the soundguy IS an idiot.

Quote:

I have the HI-Fi Hearos and find mine very uncomfortable and they make it sound like someone threw a blanket over everything

I use MicroSonic Musicians ear plugs.
Upsides = Custom fit, so there's no discomfort. Good sound quality.
Downside = Price. $125 including 3 visits with the audiologist.

Munjibunga · #6 11-03-2010, 07:40 PM

I just bought two pairs today. I tried them out in the car, and they seemed to work well. However, people in the parking lot were looking at me funny. I had it cranked so loud, they may have needed plugs too. Anyway, you're going to lose some tone no matter what kind of plugs you use, but these are WAY better than the foamy ones I've been using.

A 10 dB cut drops the volume by half.

Rocks · #7 11-03-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I just bought two pairs today. I tried them out in the car, and they seemed to work well. However, people in the parking lot were looking at me funny. I had it cranked so loud, they may have needed plugs too. Anyway, you're going to lose some tone no matter what kind of plugs you use, but these are WAY better than the foamy ones I've been using.

A 10 dB cut drops the volume by half.

Did they look at you funny because the music was so loud or because of the plastic tubes that stick half an inch out of your ears?

walker rosewood · #8 02-22-2011, 05:31 PM

So I got a $15 gift card gimmick thing from guitar center, and I was thinking about trying these Hi-Fi Hearos. I've always used the regular Hearos, or foamy ones from Lowe's. I try not to mix loud, but often I'm in a very small club with idiot 'rock star' wannabe's who won't turn their half stacks down. I usually do soundcheck then a song or two without the plugs to get the band dialed in, then put the ear plugs in for the rest of the night.

I'm in the process of reading through the sticky on the subject, and saving up for some real plugs from an audiologist. But in the mean time what I want to know is from a soundguy's perspective if the Hi-Fi Hearo's are worth the $15/piece versus the foamies at 25c/each. They are only -15db as opposed to -32db foam, is that an issue? And do they really have a flat (or at least improved) frequency response?

Also, there's lots of suggestions in the other threads on the subject, but please feel free to recommend what ear plugs are the best for live mixing. (pm me if you want)

walker rosewood · #9 02-24-2011, 11:03 AM

nobody? I guess with the free gift card I'll just have to see for myself.

crijan · #10 02-24-2011, 11:11 AM

I prefer the Hearos reusable "Rock n Roll" Earplugs to the Hi-Fi one's. They are much more comfortable and I think the sound is better with them as well.

maevinj · #11 02-24-2011, 11:17 AM

I use the hearos HI-FI all the time. At practices and shows. They really help cut out the high end bite from cymbals and guitars. I use to use the foam ones, but those just tended to block everything out, while these seem to just drop the level.

CapnSev · #12 02-24-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

nobody? I guess with the free gift card I'll just have to see for myself.

Yes, they are worth it. I think they do a wonderful job at allowing me to hear my note for note clarity, while cutting down volume and harshness (that means your cymbals drummer).

boynamedsuse · #13 02-24-2011, 11:28 AM

I have the Hearos High Fidelity Series and the Etymotic Research ER20 High-Fidelity Earplugs. Both are similar, although the Etymotic are often a little cheaper. The high end does degrade slightly, but both are better from a fidelity standpoint than the cheap foam plugs by a good margin.

walker rosewood · #14 02-24-2011, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the responses. I read more of the sticky thread. I can't think of anything better to spend that promo card on, so I'll try the Hearo Hi-Fi's, and since they're cheap enough I'll try a set of the ER-20's also.

*edit: just learned from the other thread that the Hi-Fi Hearo's are actually ER-20's re-branded and marked up in price. No need to try both I guess.

steveksux · #15 02-26-2011, 01:42 PM

I have both, can't really tell the difference. They work great to cut the sound down, although high freqs are taken down more than lows. I do end up having trouble discerning pitch and chords others are playing with them as a result. Especially the instruments across the stage from me. By cutting the drums next to me by 15 db they stop hurting. Cut the keys across stage by 15db and they're nearly inaudible.

But I'd rather deal with that part time than have my hearing damaged to sound about the same full time.

I'm going to try IEMs as the best way. You get the isolation of earplugs, with much better vocal monitoring than floor wedges, all at a volume of my choosing. It seems to be the best of both worlds. we'll see.

Randy

walker rosewood · #16 02-27-2011, 01:38 AM

Well I picked up the Hi-Fi Hearos today before the gig. They seem comfy enough, I had them in for about 3 consecutive hours and wasn't annoyed. Standing at FOH the db meter read 85db just playing a CD, and I could barely notice any difference with them in or out. Then when the band kicked in the db meter read around 100db, and it sounded like it was 85 still.

The sound was pretty natural except when I was talking myself it sounded odd, but that's to be expected with any plugs. I think I may have a bit off earwax built up preventing me from inserting them all the way. One nice thing though was my shure SRH440's fit right over top of the plugs.

This was in a large venue with about 5000 people. I think the results will be even better in the club that holds 50 people, where a band with no PA support can reach 115db easy.

I dig them for now, but I think I'll definitely spring for the custom molded Etymotic ER-15's if I ever have the cash.

steveksux · #17 02-27-2011, 09:26 AM

Supposedly the customs have flatter freq response, and don't drop the high freqs more like the Hearos.

Of course they SAY that, nobody's going to spend hundreds on customs if they don't work better than the $15 hearos...

But I'm naturally skeptical. Some guys here that have gone that route have said the customs are much better, like the original, only quieter, no change in freq response. So I tend to believe they are probably better, if not perfect.

Customs are way more comfortable too, I believe that without trying them.

I tried the hearos, they save me from ringing ears. Can't hear stuff as well with them in though, too much high cut, muffles sound along with reducing the intensity. Maybe you should try the other size, I think hearos is the small ones. Sounds like you didn't get a good seal. I can REALLY tell the difference when I take them out. If you don't notice a difference, maybe they're not sealing properly.

Etymotics makes the hearos, etymotics has both sizes available. The blue etymotics (small ear canal) are the same as the hearos I think.

Randy

walker rosewood · #18 02-27-2011, 11:05 AM

yeah I read all about the Etymotic stuff in the sticky thread. (all 33 pages or so). I just got the hearos because I had a free $15 at GC. The next pair will probably be the non-branded ER-20's. I think the width fit my ear canal well, I just had trouble getting them deep enough. Maybe I was just hesitant about pushing them in far enough.

steveksux · #19 02-27-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

yeah I read all about the Etymotic stuff in the sticky thread. (all 33 pages or so). I just got the hearos because I had a free $15 at GC. The next pair will probably be the non-branded ER-20's. I think the width fit my ear canal well, I just had trouble getting them deep enough. Maybe I was just hesitant about pushing them in far enough.

If you sort of twist them it helps, takes a bit of fiddling to get a good seal.

If you can hear yourself through bone conduction when you talk, you've got them in right. Good seal is crucial for the attenuation.

Randy