Customer Reviews

ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ER20BP High Fidelity Ear Plugs ( Clear )

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

These earplugs are designed to provide good quality sound at reduced volume. It does not provide as much noise reduction as lower quality foam or disposal ear plugs. In many situations, this is worth the sacrifice.

These earplugs are nearly identical to the Noise Isolation Earphones made by Etymotic (ER-6i).

When using the earplugs, your perception of sound will be "normal", but quieter. That means voices sound natural, music sounds clear, and noises are identifiable. Unlike lower earplugs, there's no distortion or "muffling" of sound. As another reviewer said, you can think of it as "turning the volume down on the outside world".

These are great to use in situations where you need to hear, but want to reduce sound to safe levels. Some areas I've used them (and found noticable improvement over cheap-o plugs):
* Concerts and music
* Comedy Clubs (when near the loud speaker)
* Airplanes (talking to people, flight attendant)
* Indoor or outdoor work (like when they're doing construction)

Some places where the extra cost may not be worth it:
* Yard work (sound quality is irrelevant, need more noise reduction)
* Extremely loud environments (tarmacs, operating heavy machinery, etc)
* Sleeping (they stick out)


One major issue with these earplugs is size: they are *not* for everyone. These are designed to fit snuggly in the ears. They can be painful or not fit for people with very large or very small ear canals.

I'm a drummer who has been playing for a long time and I've always been searching for the perfect earplugs for playing gigs. Most off-the-shelf plugs kill the high end and cut out far too much sound. Most of the specialty plugs are way too expensive. My search has ended with these Etymotics, which I've now been using regularly for about 2 years.

Two things make them perfect for me: First, they offer a gradual reduction in external sound rather than an extreme muffling. Second, the reduction is very well balanced across the frequency spectrum. You still get pretty clear high end and low end, just that the volume is reduced. In fact, that's the best way to describe them... they simply turn the volume down on the outside world, while maintaining excellent clarity. This is a must for me as a singing drummer. They're also very comfortable.

One drawback: they stick out a little bit, so they can look a little dorky. I'd suggest buying the clears rather than the colored ones.

High Fidelity Ear Plugs/filters

I play the trumpet in several bands and when I get stuck in front of the percussion section (particularly snare drums), earplugs are a necessity. I own a half dozen types of plugs, and they all block the sound, but they also muffle and distort it. These plugs simply lower the volume with a minimum of the muffling effect, so they are perfect for musicians in loud groups. Very comfortable, quick & easy to insert or remove.

They also seem perfect for concerts. For example, when Arturo Sandavol, the trumpet virtuoso, appeared locally, he used what must have been a 10,000 watt sound system. These ear plugs allow you to enjoy the music when a clueless sound engineer turns the volume three clicks past painful.

Note: Etymotic Research ER20BP High Fidelity Ear Plugs and Hearos High Fidelity Ear Filters are virtually identical, other than color variations.

These are certainly not top notch professionally fitted earplugs. But, they truly are worlds better than those disposable foam plugs that make you feel like you've got a head cold and can't hear anything anyone is saying to you.

While not perfect, these filter sound much more naturally. At a rock concert, I can wear these without feeling like I'm missing alot of the sound. Many frequencies are still fairly loud and I can still hear vocals, guitars, etc.. not just bass and a thumping kick drum. With foam pads, I typically took them out between sets at a show so I could talk to my friends comfortably. But with these, I often just leave them in. I can typically hear my regular conversations just fine.

Another recollection is plane travel. I'll often wear these when I fly to avoid the ear ringing that often occurs after all that engine noise. If I'm wearing these when a stewardess comes by to offer me a drink, I hear her when she gets my attention and once again am able to make the transaction without feeling like I'm talking to the other side of quiet bubble.

Oh...I've also found the fit to be quite good and secure.

This is getting wordy.

Anyway, I highly recommend these to anyone who wants something better than yellow foam, but isn't quite ready to invest in professionaly fitted earplugs.

I just recieved my pair of these ear plugs in the mail today. Let me recount my experience with them...

1) Place ear plugs in ears.
2) Crank up guitar amp - way up.
3) Wonder why my amp doesn't sound that loud.
4) Take one ear plug out.
5) Play a chord.
6) Almost explode - skull attempts to split in half.
7) Put ear plug back in.

Man these things are good. Just as advertised, these puppies just turn the volume down on the sound. Everything seemed clear, just not as loud.

If these things were a girl, I'd leave my wife for them and have a dozen children.

~Slick

I am a drummer for a very loud metal band (I was originally a jazz drummer, so your groans of disapproval are not completely dismissed) which practices two or three times a week in a concrete walled room. Our sound dampening devices consist of cardboard and old blankets (we are very high tech), so you can try to imagine the sheer volume presented in this small, ten by fifteen foot room by the drums, two full Marshal stacks, a PA, and a bass amp.

Up until I purchased these, I was using a set of industrial ear muffs which drowned everything out and made it difficult to keep track of where we were in a song. Also, doing an aerobic exercise for three to eight minute intervals over a course of four hours (i.e. playing drums...) tends to make you sweat (profusely, it's gross, but hey I'm human). Let it be known ear muffs are a thousand times more uncomfortable when they are slimy and sliding around your skin.

These plugs were a double upgrade. They are small and keep my head free and cool (and will not slip out due to excessive headbanging), and as advertised they reduced sound levels without entirely distorting the sound (but not completely, this will not beat an in-ear monitor by any means except in price). I can now hear key parts far better to stay on track.

The only downside is they are quite difficult to get in and are initially uncomfortable. You might actually have to wet them slightly for them to sit in your ear properly (yes, it's like giving yourself a wet willy...fun!). Finally, they do not work like foam plugs, so if you are expecting complete sound isolation for something like sleeping on an airplane or drowning out the girlfriend(s), don't waste the money, these are not built for that.

I would recommend these to any musician looking for a cheap(ish) alternative to hearing the constant ringing in their ears (we've all been there, it sucks) without losing complete fidelity characteristic of foam plugs or industrial muffs.

1.5 YEAR UPDATE: I just wanted to say a few words on how my plugs are doing after over a year. The original plastic carrying case has fallen apart due to use (no big deal, I had an empty Altoids tin laying around that I use for them now), but the plugs themselves are still in outstanding condition even after heavy use (2-3 times a week for 3+ hours at a time). I try to clean them at least once a month by soaking them in rubbing alcohol for a couple minutes (don't use the case...that's probably why mine fell apart...oops), cleaning under the flaps of the tip, rinsing with water, and then leaving them on a paper towel to dry before storing/using again. Also, I had convinced my bass player to give them a try, and he now swears by them just as much as I do. Etymotic, you've earned your 5th star for this earplug's continued and flawless service.

First I have to say that although I enjoy seeing live music, the constant talking and hubub going on around me drives me insane. I was going to see Joe Bonamassa play in a small venue and I knew it was going to be LOUD. I thought I would look on the internet to see if there is something I could use that would let me enjoy the music, but lessen the volume and the noise around me.

The ER20BP High Fidelity Ear Plugs absolutly did the trick. The volume of Joe's guitar was loud but not too loud and each note sounded clear as a bell. The sounds around me were just barely noticable.

These little guys are perfect for concert going, in the office when you need to concentrate but don't want to listen to music or shut out all noise, at home when you want to read while the family watches TV...

They come in a handy little case I just carry around with me in my purse.

Same as the ER20's direct from Etymotic, without the $8 shipping. The "BP" is just the plug color. I play in small rooms with very loud bands 10+ hours a week and have been wearing these for a few years now. (This is my 4th pair.)

Unless you're going to pay the couple hundred bucks to get custom molded plugs, these are the best sounding you're going to find. Also, very comfortable to wear for hours at a time (much more than foam plugs.)

Also, unlike foam plugs you hear sound evenly without hearing your own voice any louder, so it's great for singers and for being able to carry a conversation at a club without yelling at someone not realizing how loud you're talking.

Etymotic is certainly well know for high quality audio gear, however I'm certainly impressed how inexpensive these were. This is one of the best prices I found. They do appear authentic, of good quality, and come with a small plastic case.

As a warning, these do go very deep within the ear canal, and as such they may be uncomfortable for those not used to them. It can also take a little fussing to get them how you want them, but that's the rub.

When I first tried these on, they didn't go far enough into my ear to "seal". I then cut the smallest bud off the plug, and the result looked very natural, almost like these devices were meant to be trimmed to size. The resulting fit was snug and very much like any other isolator ear phone. I haven't worn these to a concert yet, but they come with a very nice carrying case and I'm going to order several more so I have them handy at the next event...