Customer Reviews

Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold Electronic Hearing Protection & Amplification Ear Muffs

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I currently own several different kinds and brands of hearing protection and these are the best overall. Quality of materials is a grade above anything else I've seen. For example, the ear cups use a very soft leather-like material with a memory foam cushion. Fit and finish however is not quite as good. My pair came with poorly fitted aforementioned ear cups that were seemingly glued on to the plastic outer shell sloppily. Performance wise, they use a more complex and effective method for electronic sound attenuation that is unique to this company. Very simply, it allows the user to have an uninterrupted conversation even during consecutive shots. The use of a compression algorithm versus the cheaper and more common "clipping" method makes these a better choice for range masters and others that require absolute verbal clarity for safety. For the average shooter it's less important but nice to have. Passive sound dampening was better than most but still not quite as good as my $25 PELTOR passive muffs. Also, they require 4 medical style batteries for operation that are INCLUDED. However, the added expense and difficulty of finding a specialty type battery is a negative in my opinion when others manage to use far fewer AA or AAA batteries in smaller designs. So in conclusion:
Quality = 4 stars
Size = 2 stars (They are huge!) barely fit in my range bag.
Comfort = 5 stars
Sound Isolation = 4 stars (but should be better based on the size)
Electronic filtering = 5 stars
Price = 1 star

Overall 3 stars but I found these here on Amazon for 55% off list. I would not have bought them for the MSRP of $329.

I bought a set of Pro Mag Gold's a few months ago and love them. They
are very comfortable with leather ears seals-I like them more the vinyl
kind. When I go to the range I can hear everything that is being said
and my surroundings but the Pro Ears electronics compress all the loud
gunfire sounds, I still hear the gunfire but at a much lower level. My
old pair just clipped off and on off and on each time me or someone else
fired. I have even accidentally left them on after I left the range but
the automatic shut off feature saved the batteries. I think they work
great and they are made in the USA. My pair have a 5 year warranty too.
I called the factory to ask about an accessory item, the belt clip, and
they were really nice and helpful. I would give them 5 stars!

If you're like me, you have already gone through several other types of hearing protection for wearing at the range, while mowing the lawn, or for use at workplace areas where noise levels are a potential danger to your hearing. My main purpose of hearing protection is to wear at my indoor gun club, where echoing gun reports seem to intensify their already dangerous sound levels. I've used ZEM's unique technology, passive muffs, with and without earplugs from several manufacturers. The best combination seemed to have been ear plugs while also wearing my electronic ear muffs. These muffs are designed to "clamp" all sound during a gun's report and therefore I rely upon the combined sound suppression of the two different technologies to control the environment. But, though this combination provided the level of protection I was looking for, I was unable to hear my fellow shooters or any instructions of the range officers. Additionally, I am unable to provide "hands on" instructions to my family members who are novice shooters and require continuous supervision and feedback. After a few weeks of researching the few top end electronic ear muff systems, I decided to take the plunge and purchase their Pro Ears Ultra 33 passive ear muffs, which appear to be the basic foundation for their top of the line electronic ear muffs, their Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold Electronic Hearing Protection. Their passive Pro Ear model I purchased has a noise suppression rating of NRR 33. After fully auditioning their passive ear muffs at my indoor gun club's range, I was very impressed with the level of sound suppression it provided. I was also able to wear it without also using ear plugs to augment the sound suppression levels further. This was the first time I could wear only one style of hearing protection and felt comfortable while at the range. So, after proving their ratings were truthful and worked for me, I ordered two of their top of the line Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold Electronic Hearing Protection muffs. Being new, they provide adequate levels of pressure to ensure a tight seal around one's ears. Some find the pressure to be too excessive for their taste when wearing them for several hours. I am certain the pressure will subside a little when they are "broken in" a little over time. However, I did not experience any discomfort after wearing if for 3 hours continuously. Granted, these have been to the range only once, but I am satisfied with my purchase because I can provide instructions to my family and be heard except during the loudest gun reports while in close proximity. Their electronic designs are independent of the other and use some of the finest materials available. As advertized, they do not "clamp" as my other, less expensive models do, but rather greatly decrease the dynamic range of your environment and each ear is handled independently of the other. Also, a mini plug is provided for each ear to allow you NASCAR fans to plug in your radio receivers to listen to the drivers and pit crews, or to your mp3 player while mowing the lawn. They have an extensive list of features which I did not read about elsewhere, but learned about when reading the owner's manual. NHRA fans will also appreciate these even though their engines will rattle you down to your bones! At least these will protect your hearing! You will have to decide whether the added capability to talk to others while in a loud environment is worth the cost. They work as advertized and I am satisfied with both of mine. The worth or value of any product is relative to everyone uniquely. What may be important to me and worth the cost may not be of the same importance or value to others. If you do not need to be able to hear others, then purchase their passive model. If you do need or desire to be able to hear and be heard, then you will have to decide whether you want the muffs with the highest rated sound suppression on the market or not. If so, you must then answer whether you can afford these high quality electronic hearing protection muffs. Lastly, you may also have to decide whether you need to buy more than one. Whatever your needs, if you're seriously considering these given their cost, you may want to buy their passive model first as I did to help you make up your mind. This approach worked for me. Five stars for quality, craftsmanship, features and for delivering great hearing protection. However, the cost of two independent electronic systems forces the cost to be prohibitively high for some consumers. So, they rate only four stars overall due to their costs, not performance. If you've the wherewithal to afford the finest, buy them.

I have been hunting for over 20 years and hearing protection is always a necessity for me. The Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold are the best I have ever worn!
1) Extremely comfortable around ears and head.
2) Amazing ability to allow you to hear instructions while firing. Blocks out blast while allowing spoken words to still be heard.
3) Very friendly customer service. Had a question while ordering, able to call them up, prompt answer and very friendly and eager to help you!

I would recommend these to anybody in need of any hearing protection.
5 out of 5 stars for Pro Ears!

The Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold hearing protector is the best on the market. It is solid, easy to use and doesn't get on the way

As a professional musician, the last thing I can afford is the loss of my hearing. The challenge is great enough if work requirements place me by the DRUMS! And hunting with ear plugs for a musician leads to many lost opportunities due to the old phrase, 'My plugs aren't in!' A friend of mine loaned me his Pro Ears one day on a hunt, and I was hooked. They do a great job at suppressing the percussive effects of a gun to a safe db level. I actually use one ear plug as insurance (gun side), turn up the volume, and never miss an opportunity. Be it the rustle of some bushes or the excitement of a bird dog, I'm ready to go...music to my ears! As with any electronic ear protection device, I always make sure my batteries are up to snuff-weak batteries will compromise even the most expensive devices out there.

Have used this product weekly for over two years.
Audio quality is better than anything else made. There is no audio lag after a shot is fired.
The headset is comfortable.
I do not like the size "N" battery. AAA would be more convenient.
Does not auto power off.
Occasionally the power knob will turn on during transport in the range bag. Will discover dead batteries a week later.
One star deduction for only a couple rather trivial complaints.
I'd buy them again, they're worth it.

I replaced an older pair of Pro Ears with these. The new ones are very comfortable, and do the job as far as cutting out the loud range noises. I used them yesterday while RO'ing at a local match and was glad to have them, especially when a couple of louder guns were being fired.

The only issue I have with them, is that they fail to amplify the "regular" sounds as well as the older Pro Ears did. When there is shooting all around in different bays (not loud enouogh for the"compression" feature to kick in), I would like the the maximum volume to be louder so conversations with folks on the squad would be louder.

I am a middle-aged woman, just now learning to shoot. I have been using highly rated electronic muffs in the $50 range. While they seemed well-made, they just weren't sufficient. The noise from my own shooting and that of others nearby caused me to jump out of my skin. Every. Single. Time. (even though no one else was jumpy!).

Not with these muffs...the loudest shots sounded like muffled hand claps. I did not jump once. I was able to relax more and shot better than I ever have. In addition to their excellent performance, they were very comfortable, and did not cause me to sweat like the other model did. Speech and sounds of nature came through clearly with no distortion, with no whistling or roar from the wind. I likely won't use them for music, as suggested in the manual, so can't comment on that feature.

Very expensive, but worth every penny. Well, off to get hubby a set...

These are rated as 33 NRR, but I don't think they seal out external sounds as well as some cheap muffs. Not comfortable at all after awhile -- I think the cavity needs to be bigger (and I have normal sized ears). Also, the batteries and circuitry are outboard of the ear cavity making the things really wide; why not make the muff taller on top and thinner. The circuitry really does work to provide normal hearing and does a good job of clipping the bangs. It is just that on an indoor range, even if the speakers are turned off, the big guns are too loud. I can't believe I spent this much without first trying them somewhere/somehow.