Best electronic ear muffs

[Dismas316]

I there a consensus for the best electronic ear muffs? I currently have Howard light impact muffs. I do like the small ear muff vs some of the bigger ones. My hearing is not optimum so wondered if there was others that I should consider. Primary use would be for competition if that makes any difference in a suggestion. As always thanks for responding.

[Super77]

I got a set of the Safariland Liberator HPs and they're really nice, good l/r separation and sound localization.

[archangel]

The Howard Leights may not be the best, but they are quite possibly the best bang for the buck. Add in the Noisefighter gel pads, and they become really nice.

If money were no object, then MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X.

[orionz06]

The Howard Leights may not be the best, but they are quite possibly the best bang for the buck. Add in the Noisefighter gel pads, and they become really nice.

If money were no object, then MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X.

This. Sordin's are still the most comfortable I have.

The NRR number needs to be really dug into to be a fair comparison, they're on par with everything else.

[RJ]

I bought a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X when we did the Group Buy 3 years ago.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?17278-Feeler-Group-buy-on-MSA-Sordin-Ear-Pro

I feel it was money well spent. They are still going strong. I use them for USPSA and training classes.

The gel cups are a must for long term comfort, for me. They fit well over my ear pro and glasses.

I have both HL Impact Sports and Pros; the HLs are excellent value for money. I do not have any experience with gel cups for them, but the Plastic cups mine have get very uncomfortable longer than 30 minutes.

[BillSWPA]

To add my own question, keeping in mind that noise reduction ratings are tricky for electronic muffs, which electronic muffs do the best job of reducing noise?


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[Jim Watson]

This. Sordin's are still the most comfortable I have.

The NRR number needs to be really dug into to be a fair comparison, they're on par with everything else.

I dug into the Trevor Number that says NRR 19 dB Sordins are as good as other brands with higher NRR, with a reduction of 30 dB in the frequency ranges of interest. If you apply the same frequency band cherry picking to my 30 dB Midway (Peltor) passives, you get a Trevor Number of 44.
Quieter is quieter.

I will look into those gel pads for HL Pro, though. I seldom wear them because passives are lighter and more comfortable.

[orionz06]

I dug into the Trevor Number that says NRR 19 dB Sordins are as good as other brands with higher NRR, with a reduction of 30 dB in the frequency ranges of interest. If you apply the same frequency band cherry picking to my 30 dB Midway (Peltor) passives, you get a Trevor Number of 44.
Quieter is quieter.

I will look into those gel pads for HL Pro, though. I seldom wear them because passives are lighter and more comfortable.

Sure, but all that matters is safe. Going above and beyond becomes a detriment and creates an amplification issue in some cases. Sordin's strike a great balance there.

[RJ]

To add my own question, keeping in mind that noise reduction ratings are tricky for electronic muffs, which electronic muffs do the best job of reducing noise?


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From my standpoint as an EE / ex-sonar systems engineer, and “in general” (bunny ears air quotes), the higher the NRR the better for “reducing noise”. There is no difference in NRR between electronic and non-electronic muffs of the same design. Electronic muffs just have a microphone and amplifiers that optionally conducts sound to a pair of speakers in the cups. The circuitry just turns off (quickly) whenever a loud noise is sensed.

You can get extremely effective ear pro at Harbor Freight Tools for under $10.

Like Tom said though, it is a compromise between NRR, comfort, durability, fit, features, and price.

FWIW indoors at my local square range, when I don’t want to listen to the goobers next lane over, I use my HL Impact Pros and double up. I leave them turned off. I’m usually there less than an hour.

For USPSA I double up with the Sordins and turn off the electronics when I shoot a stage.

For a Gabe White two-day Training Class, it’s the Sordins only, with new batteries.

One related suggestion. I added a padded band to my Sordins to add some comfort. I like having it:

U.S. Tactical Sewing USTS Advanced Modular Headset Cover (Multicam)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWE2E6K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_MnU8BbVW9AC4Z

[Robinson]

The HL Impact Pros are a good value but they just don't work for me at all, even with the gel inserts.

I have been using Peltor ProTac muffs and I really like them. For range use, I use the thicker set with NRR of 25 -- with plugs underneath when shooting indoors. They also worked well at the last class I attended. I keep a set of the thinner ones with NRR of 21 next to each of my home defense guns. They are low profile and light weight. I have the optional gel seals installed on all of them.

[theJanitor]

I'm running a Comtac2 and a Cpmtac3 as a backup. Both have gelcups and have not given me a reason to change. The biggest thing for me, is rain/sweat resistance.

[HopetonBrown]

Those cheapo electronic ear pro like Howard Leights that shut off then turn back on every time there's a gunshot are annoying.

[Dismas316]

I bought a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X when we did the Group Buy 3 years ago.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?17278-Feeler-Group-buy-on-MSA-Sordin-Ear-Pro

I feel it was money well spent. They are still going strong. I use them for USPSA and training classes.

The gel cups are a must for long term comfort, for me. They fit well over my ear pro and glasses.

I have both HL Impact Sports and Pros; the HLs are excellent value for money. I do not have any experience with gel cups for them, but the Plastic cups mine have get very uncomfortable longer than 30 minutes.


Thanks Rich, and to everyone else. I went ahead and placed an order for these today. Hopefully I get them before my match Wed. night. Went ahead and ordered the gel cups as well.

[BillSWPA]

I have been very happy with my Peltor electronic muffs. These are the only ones I have used, so I do not know how they compare to others.



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[RJ]

Those cheapo electronic ear pro like Howard Leights that shut off then turn back on every time there's a gunshot are annoying.

I may not be understanding your comment, but generally you are describing the way electronic ear pro functions?

As in, it is a passive muff with electronic circuitry?

But like I said maybe I’m not sure what you mean here.

[RJ]

Wow prices have come down in three years. This is what I bought for $330 three years ago, $260 on Prime today:

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X - Premium Edition - Electronic Earmuff with black leather band, green cups and gel seals fitted

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QV4OCDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_SKZ8BbHFSQRWE

[HopetonBrown]

I may not be understanding your comment, but generally you are describing the way electronic ear pro functions?

As in, it is a passive muff with electronic circuitry?


Like this https://youtu.be/qDWvW6iGWWE

[HopetonBrown]

Wow prices have come down in three years. This is what I bought for $330 three years ago, $260 on Prime today:

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X - Premium Edition - Electronic Earmuff with black leather band, green cups and gel seals fitted

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QV4OCDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_SKZ8BbHFSQRWEBuy them from next door Finland for $200 delivered.

https://www.lamnia.com/en/p/781/hunting-and-shooting/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-earmuffs

[mtnbkr]

I may not be understanding your comment, but generally you are describing the way electronic ear pro functions?

As in, it is a passive muff with electronic circuitry?

But like I said maybe I’m not sure what you mean here.

Better electronic muffs attenuate, but do not completely cut out, loud sounds. Cheap ones just turn off the audio circuit in response to loud sounds. The latter can be kind of jarring at times.

Chris

[Jim Watson]

Sure, but all that matters is safe. Going above and beyond becomes a detriment and creates an amplification issue in some cases. Sordin's strike a great balance there.

There is no "safe."
A gunshot is what, 140 dB.
Reduce by 30 and you are hearing 110 which is still damaging.
The most you can get is barely enough.
We are talking about how much ear injury you are willing to put up with for comfort, convenience, and style.

[Dismas316]

Found a pretty good deal here for $229 so went ahead an ordered.

https://srstactical.com/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-hearing-protection-headset.html.

[HopetonBrown]

Sure, but all that matters is safe. Going above and beyond becomes a detriment and creates an amplification issue in some cases. Sordin's strike a great balance there.They are a compromise, making them slim enough to be worn with helmets, and less likely to be bumped when entering/exiting confined spaces.

With the slim profile comes reduced protection.

[RJ]

Better electronic muffs attenuate, but do not completely cut out, loud sounds. Cheap ones just turn off the audio circuit in response to loud sounds. The latter can be kind of jarring at times.

Chris

No doubt the $40 price point comes with some compromises. For me anyway I never noticed too many issues like this with the HLs. I certainly prefer the Sordins by a long shot.

Not too much out there that is not marketing BS but I thought this was a good summary / comparison, and points out some of what you are saying:

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/gun-science-active-electronic-ear-pro/

[robs9]

I have been using Peltor Tactical muff for years. I also got the gel ear pads to help seal around my glasses. While shooting indoors and shooting large bore rifles outdoors I wear moulded ear plugs under them. Have been very happy with the Peltors.

I would be adverse to looking at a club buy.

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[HopetonBrown]

No doubt the $40 price point comes with some compromises. For me anyway I never noticed too many issues like this with the HLs. I certainly prefer the Sordins by a long shot.

Not too much out there that is not marketing BS but I thought this was a good summary / comparison, and points out some of what you are saying:

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/gun-science-active-electronic-ear-pro/You didn't notice the sound chopped off then back on after each shot? That's the issue.

This frequently cited blog post has been questioned by at least one forum member for its veracity.

[RJ]

You didn't notice the sound chopped off then back on after each shot? That's the issue.

This frequently cited blog post has been questioned by at least one forum member for its veracity.

Not really.

In most of my training classes, if the instructor is talking there’s no shooting going on. When there is shooting, there’s generally no talking.

Guess one pays ones money and takes ones choice.

[HopetonBrown]

Not really.

In most of my training classes, if the instructor is talking there’s no shooting going on. When there is shooting, there’s generally no talking.

Guess one pays ones money and takes ones choice.Many times I've been in classes where students are shooting as the instructor works his way down the line, coaching students one on one.

Though most time would be the 5 hours spent standing around at a match, talking to squad members, waiting for my few minutes of shooting.

[GJM]

I have the high end Peltor and the MSA Sordins. I have generally preferred the fit and comfort of the Peltors, but the Sordins have way, way better sound quality. Enough so, shooting Steel Challenge, my wife had trouble hearing hits with her Peltors but hears great with the Sordins.

[RJ]

Found a pretty good deal here for $229 so went ahead an ordered.

https://srstactical.com/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-hearing-protection-headset.html.

srstactical is the company I dealt with for the Group buy.

I had a great experience with them.

[robs9]

I would not be adverse to looking at a club buy.

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[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

srstactical is the company I dealt with for the Group buy.

I had a great experience with them.

Not to mention that SRS is also a factory authorized Sordin repair shop.

[mtnbkr]

No doubt the $40 price point comes with some compromises. For me anyway I never noticed too many issues like this with the HLs. I certainly prefer the Sordins by a long shot.
Agree. For the price, I'm perfectly happy with the HLs. My Walker Quads are "better", but bulkier and don't work as well with rifle shooting as a result, so I tend to use the HLs for that purpose and save the Walkers for handgun-only trips.

Chris

[Pepper]

One related suggestion. I added a padded band to my Sordins to add some comfort. I like having it:

U.S. Tactical Sewing USTS Advanced Modular Headset Cover (Multicam)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWE2E6K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_MnU8BbVW9AC4Z


I have purchased several band covers from OC Tactical: http://www.octactical.com/hp2hearingprotection.html Excellent quality and service.

[Keith E.]

I've tried several passive muffs/plugs over the years and they usually work as intended, some obviously better than others. My first experience with active muffs was a set of wally-world Peltors. Mine did ok for a short while but nothing to brag about. A good friend of mine always has corrosion problems (Eastern North Carolina humidity) with his Peltors and removes the batteries monthly to check the contacts. I purchased a set of the aforementioned Sordins, with the gel cups, and haven't looked back. I took my two Peltor units back to wally-world for a return and turned them into ammo. I have nothing but good to say about the Sordins. I too paid in the $300 neighborhood but consider it money well spent although your mileage and opinion may vary.

Keith

[RJ]

Not to mention that SRS is also a factory authorized Sordin repair shop.

The fact that SRS Tactical was based out of the US was kicked around in the Group Buy thread, if I recall correctly.

I’m no international sales expert, but I always had the sense that those low prices you see quoted in Euros from overseas suppliers of MSA Sordin products would not qualify for US Warranty claims.

Robert and Rusty and crew really took care of us.

If there is additional interest in another round of MSA Sordin group buys for Pistol-Forum, and it is still ok with Tom_Jones, I’d be happy to ask SRS if they are interested in quoting prices to the membership here.

[RJ]

It is absolutely OK. :)

Thanks Tom!

ALCON - Please see the Group Buy thread and bump it with a comment if interested in purchasing a pair of MSA Sordins.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?17278-Feeler-Group-buy-on-MSA-Sordin-Ear-Pro

Rich

[Dismas316]

Wait, what?? Now you tell me after I made a purchase. :confused:

[revchuck38]

I have the high end Peltor and the MSA Sordins. I have generally preferred the fit and comfort of the Peltors, but the Sordins have way, way better sound quality. Enough so, shooting Steel Challenge, my wife had trouble hearing hits with her Peltors but hears great with the Sordins.

I've got inexpensive electronic muffs (Walker's Razor) and have never heard hits on steel with them on. Maybe I need to go back to my huge green non-electronic muffs for that.

[Dismas316]

Had a chance to use the Sordin Pro x today and they were great. Really muffles the sound of the shot, sounded weird at first. Very easy to pick up those not so easy to hear steel at distance. Really like them so far, much better than the HL Impacts. Thanks for the suggestion on these.

[O4L]

Buy them from next door Finland for $200 delivered.

https://www.lamnia.com/en/p/781/hunting-and-shooting/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-earmuffs$226 in US dollars. :)

[HopetonBrown]

$226 in US dollars. :)When I plug in my US address I get a little over $190.

When people were paying $330 for these a few years ago, ordering from these guys made sense.

Now that the domestic price has dropped so precipitously, not so much. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181126/f4ca6b7a7fe389d850b1341123eff1c0.jpg

[t1tan]

I’ve been using these the last 5-6 years, still very happy with them. I honestly don’t know if I’ve changed the batteries yet. Audio is very clear and no “clipping” like others are described to have.

Not sure if anything has changed since TCI became part of Safariland but basically MSA Sordin hardware with TCI electronics.

Only complaint is compatibility with certain glasses I shoot with, but I plan to pick up a pair of Noisefighters for that.


https://www.safariland.com/products/comms-and-hearing-protection/hearing-protection/electronic-hearing-protection/dehp---tcis-digital-electronic-hearing-protection-DEHP.html

They used to be cheaper.

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

I’ve been using these the last 5-6 years, still very happy with them. I honestly don’t know if I’ve changed the batteries yet. Audio is very clear and no “clipping” like others are described to have.

Not sure if anything has changed since TCI became part of Safariland but basically MSA Sordin hardware with TCI electronics.

Only complaint is compatibility with certain glasses I shoot with, but I plan to pick up a pair of Noisefighters for that.


https://www.safariland.com/products/comms-and-hearing-protection/hearing-protection/electronic-hearing-protection/dehp---tcis-digital-electronic-hearing-protection-DEHP.html

They used to be cheaper.

Had a pair of BTH DEHP’s roughly the same amount of time since Pat (RIP amigo) steered me to them & sim. to you zero issues as well. They have gone up in price & found when I bought the HP’s mentioned below that 2 of the old TCI hands are still w/ Safariland, Brad & Lucy Medine, solid professional folks.

That said I still run my 2008 purchased Sord Pro-X’s 95% of the time for matches in the heat/humidity & picked up a pair of the Safariland Lib. HP’s when they intro. priced them this year. No issues w/ them & someone mentioned earlier that they have a hard time hearing the steel impacts w/ their Pro-X’s, tell me about it when I’m SO’ing a rimfire shooter I really struggle. Buy once cry once as Pat used to say, damn he taught us a lot & looking forward to seeing you & Heidi again mi amigo.