Hey everyone. I understand the custom earplug topic has been beaten to death and I’ve done my fair share of searching before posting, however I’m looking for feedback on which custom earplugs are best with my HD-25’s? Obviously the HD-25’s are “on ear” headphones so comfort may vary when compared to other cans. Appreciate your feedback on this as well as on the 3 earplugs in general.
I’ve narrowed it down to 3
Etymotic Musicians Earplugs
Westone Model 49
Sensaphonic
I’m a mobile DJ that has suffered from ear issues over the years and need to start protecting my ears while playing. My headphones are not always on my ears but I need custom ear plugs that work well when using headphones for mixing.
I’m using cheap earplugs now and while I didn’t like it at first I got used to it. My ears are more important than sound quality so it has to be a go for me.
Did you try mixing with earplugs and headphones in the same room as a big PA system?
Obviously he wouldn’t be using earplugs at a low volume…sometimes its not an option to turn the volume down.
DJTT sells a decent pair of earplugs from what I’ve heard, haven’t tried any of those. I need to get some soon for under my hd-25’s as well. I usually have the volume cranked at venues just to be able to cue and then don’t notice until the end of the night.
I have the v moda faders that he is referring to as well as HD 25s. I find the ear plugs nice and they work well with headphones, etc. They feel much better than cheap ear plugs + come in a few different sizes for the right fit with a fairly low cost.
Resurrecting a dead thread - hoping for some good feedback. I am in the same position as the OP. I am trying to decide between Westone and Sensaphonics custom molded plugs. I feel after reading 3 or 4 other threads that I am leaning towards the Westone company due to the positive feedback other members have left about their custom molds. Anyone tried the Sensaphonics molds that can comment on them?
My other question was regarding the filters. I’m trying to get away with just one pair to start with so would you members recommend -15 dB or -25 dB to start. I DJ every weekend usually not hitting more then 100 dB to often where the booth is located. Feel free to throw out any more advice in your responses too. Thanks.
Op here. So a few months after I started this thread I went to an Audiologist and they took a mold of my ear for 20 bucks which I had the intention of sending to Sensaphonic. While browsing around Guitar Center a few days later, I noticed a new brand of over the counter earplugs called Earasers that intrigued me. For $40, I took a shot and let me tell you the same set of earplugs have lasted me since. These things are comfortable and sound fantastic… i wear them DJ’ing… wear them at shows/clubs… I can’t express enough how thrilled I am to have found a perfect solution for myself. If these ever get lost or damaged, I’ll be buying a new pair.
To the OP: Thanks for getting back to your old thread and giving me another option. I also had never heard of these plugs. I guess the main concern I’d have is would the sound isolation be as good as custom molds and do they sound as good as Etymotic filters (as far as not eliminating one frequency more then others) in your opinion. blatterjr feel free to respond too since you use these earasers. Thanks guys.
When searching for plugs I read the numbers, saw the curves… still gave it a shot.
Quick story… I went to Miami one weekend, saw 3 shows and my ears were never the same. I have an extreme sensitivity to anything obtrusive on the high end. If someone drops a pan or hits a piece of metal near me, i cringe. I hear perfectly fine and got my ears checked out, very mild hearing loss (expected at 38 years old) but now sensitive. I care about two things, being able to protect my ears and not losing sound quality in doing so… especially when mixing and attending live events.
They are very comfortable, they sound fantastic… and I have left them in for no joke 10 hours straight in one of NY’s loudest clubs and even with my ears… not a single hint of pain or ring or anything after the night was over. That along speaks volumes for me.
I’ve never tried customs but again I was real close. Right now there’s just no need for me I found something that works… FOR ME.
Anyone using the earasers have any idea or info about how much sound they block? That is the only info that I have not come across. Etymotic offers 3 different filter options to my knowledge, so if I were to go that route I’d probably opt for a -15 or maybe -25 dB filter. How much blockage on the earasers? Thought I’d check here before having to email the company.