The Best Earplugs for Concerts in 2023

We've sifted through hundreds of articles and videos promoting the world's "best concert earplugs" and found very little of substance. Most reviewers compare plugs based on surface level "features" like style, comfort, and packaging ... and these reviews tend to be entirely subjective; a product of the reviewer's own tastes and biases. Some reviews go into a little more detail and dig into the product specifications provided by the manufacturer. But how many reviews include first-hand audio lab testing and audio samples? We counted, and the answer is "zero"! Well, get ready to experience the world's BEST earplug review, performed in an acoustically-treated lab, by audio engineer and doctor of audiology, Dr Steve Taddei. You'll be able to hear Steve's top 3 earplugs for yourself, so grab a pair of headphones, strap in, and be prepared to experience our next level earplug review.

00:00 Intro and lab testing protocol
01:18 What are musician's earplugs?
02:02 How do they work?
03:01 What earplugs did we test?
03:51 Etymotic Research ER20XS
04:38 Loop Experience Pro
05:22 Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs
06:07 How do they sound in the lab? Listen now!
07:40 Sound samples with equal volume
09:00 Ranking the top earplugs
11:10 How did we test the earplugs?

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Steve Taddei is a Doctor of Audiology and recording engineer at HearingTracker.

#hearing, #hearingloss #earplugs #livemusic

Disclaimer: HearingTracker was not paid to conduct this review. However, when you purchase through the links and promo codes shared in our YouTube channel, we may generate revenue. This revenue helps support our channel, but as you'll see from watching our videos, our reviews are not consistently positive.

Music Credits:
Music by Muzaproduction from Pixabay
Music by Anton_Vlasov from Pixabay _____________________________________________________________________
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[HearingTracker]

Hey everyone, we are going to start reviewing earplugs again! If you have a spare moment, please take this 2 question survey about earplugs. It'll help us decide what tests to do and how best to convey the data.


- Steve

[JamForThought]

8:05 normal


8:13 Etymtic Research
8:21 Loop Experience Pro
8:29 Loop Experience Pro + Mute
8:37 Eargasm High Fidelity

[ScienceWinsEveryTime]

I have to say that the Eargasms sounded the most balanced, while the Etymotics drowned out the highs and the Loops were tinny with almost no bass. I think I'd rather deal with fit issues and have a fuller sound, so I'm leaning towards the Eargasms.

[earbutts]

the sound samples with equal volume bit is SOOOO nice. the production quality and EFFORT put in this video goes above and beyond. Thank you so much for informing me on which one I should get.

[AlokMeshram]

I just have to say, for a niche topic (wish it got more attention though), the amount of effort that you've put into this is beyond amazing. I studied Binaural Audio and my Master's thesis is in Spatial Audio, so it was great to see my good friend KEMAR in the video (love the new hairdo, dude!). What pinna and eat canal models did you use?

[hfs-lkip]

It would be so cool if you had included those disposable construction site plugs and/or reusable construction site plugs for comparison. Great vid!

[Daaell]

A few days ago, I could finally try out my Loop Experience Pro. I listen to music a lot, own a few better IEMs (Mangird Tea, Timeless, S12) and i have to say the Loop is great. I've tested it at a metal concert (Bad Omens), and I'm pretty happy with it. The only issue which you can hear in the test samples is that the music is unbalanced, bass is much lower compared to the mids and the highs. This makes vocals way more prominent, which is a matter of taste. First I've i used it with the "Mute" (silicone ring), but that was too much reduction, so the music was really off. But the main issue is, it makes you feel weird, because you can feel the bass in your chest, but you only hear a fraction of it. Imo, using it without the "Mute" is the way. Although I listen to music at a low volume, i would be happy to have a Loop which let a bit more music through, just a couple of 1-3 dB-s.

[johnpolace]

Dude thank you for these videos, I’ve just now started looking for musicians earplugs and this really helps

[muen]

Please also review the Earasers, which are the only ones you missed! This is a phenomenal review and so in-depth. We appreciate your time and hard work!!

[gracegu]

This video is one of my favorites- so clear, concise, and well presented. It's super helpful and enjoyable to watch! Thank you for making this video.

[ironieser]

This is the most professional earplugs testing I have seen！ Thank you！

[GereldTheCat]

Took my Loops to a concert (My Chemical Romance) last year, and I definitely noticed both there and in this video that the highs are much louder than the lows and mids. Could be good in some scenerios, but for that particular circumstance I found it to be distracting. I actually really liked the sound coming from the Eargasms in this video, so I might have to pick up a pair now.

[gamerguy]

I have been struggling a lot more with ear pain at concerts approaching 30 now so I appreciate having samples and information like this!

I've been using headphones lately which offer decent protection but cause muffling, , and then if you don't wear them it's distorted because of how loud it is.

[panicrev]

You need to put the unfiltered sound between each plug for uncolored reference. That being said, the Eargasm sounded the flattest even at the end. Try Earos, not to confused with Hearos. They’re the best I’ve personally tried.

[austinbergen]

Thank you so much for this!
I'll be getting the LOOPS because I ALWAYS have a very hard time hearing VOCALS (Even If It's A Band I Know) whenever I see a rock show!
Vocals are always way too drowned out by the guitar! 😂
Seems like the Loops help with that balance!

[leovanderstraeten]

Great video, finally a clear, well explained review that cover multiple products and lets you experience them yourself! Thank you

[freddyschmid]

Hi first of all thanks for the extensive test and review! In the beginning of the video you mentioned that you tested the Earasers Plug as well, however when reading the full review on your website I can only find 8 of the 9 earplugs mentioned. The Earasers Earplugs are missing. I was really hoping to compare them to the Eargasms.

[vladlenvronsky]

I wear the Loop Experience Plus, and they are awesome. Glad you found the Loop Pro's to be on your #1 list!

[transce]

Great job on recording how they earphones sound, that was really nicely done! Wow, I agree with you on the Etymotic earplugs but we couldn't disagree more on the Eargasm ones. I thought the Eargasms were absolute trash. Mine created an "echo" on the inside which gave higher frequencies a "tin-can" effect, especially with electric guitars. I didn't notice that in your test but your test is also using a very clean, open sample, whereas the music I had problems with were metal and psych that had a lot of guitar feedback. The Loops look cool but the sound quality seems awful based on your test. I couldn't believe how much they changed the sound.

[jaunathang]

Your work is phenomenal! I couldn't find a video that compares all of them. It's hard to tell the difference unless you put them side by side, and all these paid reviewers simply worsen the task.