Vibes Hi-Fidelity Concert Earplugs — NRR 15, Reusable, New

Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs — NRR 15, About 22 dB Average Attenuation, Three Tip Sizes and Carrying Case, New

Reusable filtered earplugs that bring the level down without turning the sound to mud.

Foam plugs work in the narrow sense that they reduce the number of decibels reaching the eardrum. What they do not do is reduce them evenly. Foam attenuates treble far harder than bass, so a band that was bright and detailed becomes a boomy rumble with the top gone, speech gets hard to follow, and the natural human response is to pull one out — which returns the wearer to full exposure in the loudest room they will be in all year.

Vibes take a different route. Each plug is an acoustic filter rather than a stopper: a clear sound tube carries the signal through a filter element that pulls the level down across the band instead of rolling the top off. The result is quieter rather than duller, and it stays intelligible, which is the single thing that decides whether hearing protection actually gets worn.

Two numbers get quoted for these and they measure different things. The certified Noise Reduction Rating is NRR 15. The manufacturer separately states an average reduction of about 22 dB across frequencies. Neither figure captures the property that matters here, because no single number can: the goal is not maximum attenuation. Somebody running a chainsaw wants maximum attenuation. The goal here is enough attenuation with the tone left intact.

Three pairs of silicone tips are supplied — small, medium and large. Fit is not a comfort detail. A tip that does not seal properly gives up most of its attenuation, so trying all three is worth the two minutes it takes. The tips are washable and replaceable and the plugs themselves are made to be used indefinitely. A pocket-sized carrying case is included, which is the difference between owning earplugs and having them on hand when the volume comes up.

The stem is clear and low in profile, and sits far enough into the ear that it reads as nothing much from a few feet away — useful for anyone who would wear protection at a show but would rather not announce it.

The brand will be familiar to some buyers from its 2017 appearance on Shark Tank, where founder Jack Mann turned down the one offer he was given and went on to build the company anyway.

One point deserves making in a catalogue full of components: hearing is the only part of the chain that cannot be replaced, upgraded, serviced or traded back.

These are new, in the manufacturer’s retail packaging.

Features

• Acoustic filters reduce level across the band rather than cutting treble first
• Certified NRR 15; manufacturer states about 22 dB average reduction across frequencies
• Three pairs of interchangeable silicone tips included — small, medium and large
• Low-profile clear stem, discreet in the ear
• Reusable; tips are washable and replaceable
• Pocket-sized carrying case included
• Suited to concerts and festivals, live sound and stage work, motorcycling, power tools and shop noise, and anyone who finds busy or loud rooms uncomfortable

Specifications

• Noise Reduction Rating: NRR 15
• Stated average attenuation: approximately 22 dB across frequencies
• Ear tips: silicone, three sizes (small, medium, large), one pair of each
• In the box: one pair of earplugs, three pairs of tips, carrying case

Dimensions: (Width x Height x Depth) 5.4 x 1.4 x 5.9 inches (137 x 36 x 150 mm), as packaged for shipping
Weight: 0.07 lbs (0.03 kg), as packaged for shipping

Inexpensive, reusable and genuinely pleasant to wear, which is the only reason hearing protection ever gets used twice. Available for pickup by appointment in Kanata, or shipped across Canada.

Backed by Radique Audio’s Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and our Perpetual Trade-Back Program, you can purchase with confidence.