Alpine MusicSafe Pro High Fidelity Music Earplugs for Concert & Noise Reduction, 3 Interchangeable Premium Filter Sets - Professional Musicians Ear Protection - Hypoallergenic Reusable Invisible Plugs

Are my ears getting more sensitive as I get older, or am I getting more grumpy?... I think I just appreciate how well my hearing still works and how I'd like it to stay that way. The adjustable level of noise reduction is most welcome. The white inserts just take things down a notch. You barely know they're in, but it's just a little more safe and comfortable. I used these for a lively performance at The Barbican.The silver inserts are to prevent hearing damage in a more rowdy environment like pubs and clubs. I can still hear the full range of music even up to Prodigy and Chemical Brothers live performance levels but they protect my ears from ringing afterwards.The gold inserts are for the loudest heavy metal gigs. I think they do take the edge off the audio clarity, but they do the job of protecting your hearing.The inclusion of a spare earpiece is most welcome. Should you lose one mid gig, you can still wear a (mismatched) pair to tide you over. Then I'd buy another set of these and have a spare insert.

I've been playing drums at a high level for over 20 years, mainly rock genre, and historically, if we're not using In Ear Monitoring, for rehearsals I've always relied on my Elacin ER 20's. I lost them recently, so had to quickly get something else.I gave these a go and honestly can't fault them. Being behind the drums, I used the gold 22db filter and they worked a treat.Given the style of plugs these are, you're going to lose a bit of fidelity, but it's really not a lot - I could still hear all the other instruments clearly with no problems, whether that's the high or low frequencies (and crucially, all the vocals & intricate melodies).In fact, when the playing stopped, I had to take them out of my ears (the chord to keep them hanging round your neck really really helps!) as I couldn't fully hear what the other players were saying, on the other side of the room. Goes to show that they really do reduce the volume! As soon as I took them out, I could hear them at normal volume but I didn't feel like I'd just come out of an isolation chamber, which is what happens with cheap / poor quality plugs or those horrible foams ones.I'd recommend you experiment with how far you push these into your ear canal - I suspect those people complaining about muffling are probably pushing them in a little too far.I think for other instruments, if you're not standing right next to the drums, will be fine with the silver filter.If you're going to a gig as a punter, the white filter will be OK, but I tend to use Doc's Pro Plugs, which do a great job (unless it's a really heavy bass setting, eg DnB, in which case, you're going to want something that actually goes into your ears to fully protect them).The carry case is top quality, with inserts for the other filters. I like the cleaning fluid and the fact you get a spare plug. The chord to hand them off is essential if you're musician and you're going to be constantly taking these in and out of your ears.For around £20, it's top value.I honestly don't get why people are complaining about these - If you're a proper audiophile, and you want maintain true fidelity, then go spend some proper money and get some custom moulded ones!

I haven't yet used these at a live gig - that will happen on Saturday. However, they seem to fit well and do reduce the volume heard.

Whilst blocking out some sound I can still hear the music I play very clearly. Fit is good too. Storage pouch is very handy to avoid loosing small ear plugs.

Working in an industry where my hearing is essential the development of tinnitus is worrying. With this in mind I still want to be able to go to gigs and enjoy the music without further damaging my hearing, these plugs are great, wore them for the first time for a 3hr+ gig and felt they could stay in for many hours more they are that comfortable.I found that they reduced the volume with the max filter to a more than comfortable level without noticeable change to what I expected to hear from the band.After the gig when taking the plugs out it was a relief to be able to hear as normal without the telltale ear ringing I would have from a gig without plugsExtremely impressed with the comfort, performance and quality of sound pass through for the price

Ears are important, and when for a price as low as 17 pounds you can protect them, while still being able to hear clarity and quality in music is a no brainer. I work in events, concerts and theatre and these are ubiquitous within the people who actually care about not having tinnitus by the age of 25. Please, if you are going to a gig, pick up a pair of hearing protection, if you do it often, splash out on some that you know are comfortable, good quality and easy to clean, these being a great example of all those things.

Sadly, I found these muffled the high frequencies almost like putting regular ear plugs in. I then bought some expensive loops and they kept the high frequencies, so the alpines were returned and the loops kept. I'm a bass player and audio engineer for a band.

Wore these recently at a rave. They did the job in terms of protecting my hearing - no ringing the following day. I took them off periodically to compare and there was a noticeable difference in sound quality - you inevitably lose something but I guess that's the price you pay. Also, some odd vibration sometimes from heavy bass sound. Will continue to use them but might try another brand too.