EtymoticResearch ER20XS High-Fidelity Earplugs (Concerts, Musicians, Airplanes, Motorcycles, Sensitivity and Universal Hearing Protection) - Standard, Clear Stem/Frost Tips (4 Piece Set)

First off, I am rating these with the foam ear tips that are available. I highly recommend that you buy those too if you buy these earplugs. The flange ear tips are not as effective at reducing noise as the foam ones.I have used these ear plugs for almost 20 years for various occasions. These are really good for use at rock concerts. You can reduce the volume to a fairly safe level and still hear the music without too much dulling of the sound . Truthfully, I think rock concerts sound better with these because you can really hear the music. Best part is no ringing of the ears after. That should be the main reason why you would want to have these.I can imagine many other needs for earplugs like this where you want very good fidelity and to protect your ears. The price of these and the foam ear tips are so worth your money to protect your ears. That investment will last many, many, many years of use. I still have and use the pair I bought almost 20 years ago. The most recent pair I bought and reviewing was for a friend who was using regular foam earplugs at a concert we recently attended. After seeing that, I felt obligated to give them a pair of these (with the foam tips :-) ) so he can protect his ears and hear future concerts better and safely.I fully recommend these ([broken record playing ] with the foam ear tips).

As a musician, these are a must have. It is wonderful to decrease the volume for ear protection while still mostly preserving frequency balance across the spectrum. Can still enjoy the music and it’s minimally noticeable after it all settles a couple minutes in. I love still hearing the highs of the music when I need the volume lowered. I also use these under active hearing mufflers for shooting guns. As a musician I need another layer of protection from gun volume to preserve my hearing adding these under the over the ear protection added more db decrease but I can still clearly hearing voices for communication on the range. Great buy.

I bought these based on the opinion of a friend who is an audiologist. She also used these for concerts and they work well! I can hear things like I don't have anything in my ears but the sizing is not a good fit for me. I feel these are for people who have large ear canals (unless I'm the one with small ear canals). The case they come with is a little snug for easy access and they can be tedious to clean.

I have scarred eardrums from childhood earaches and need hearing aids, but I’ve been reluctant to get them. Protecting my hearing is critical because I don’t want to go deaf, but I also don’t want to miss out on live music. The Etymotic Research ER20XS High-Fidelity Earplugs have been a total game-changer! They allow me to enjoy concerts without discomfort and, best of all, I can still hear every detail with crystal clarity. These earplugs protect my ears without sacrificing the experience. If you want to save your hearing and still love your music, these are a must-have!

Been using etymotic for years. I guess they must have changed their material supplier, and not for the better.I really wanted the frosted set because I've had them before. Instead they sent these much thinner cheapo ones. I got the universal set and they don't fit well, and hurt my ears.I don't have high hopes for these either, and I need ear plugs that are comfortable and that I can wear every day.No worth what I paid for them. Not a good value.

The best of the best?

I had high hopes for these to bring to a concert. These made my ears itch and the bass was so distorted, the music sounded terrible. They did muffle the sound, so I guess they helped protect my ears. But they were so in and distorted the sounds so much, I wish I had bought regular foam earplugs instead.

I’m in a band and my hearing is starting to go. This was the minimum protection the audiologist recommended. Unfortunately, they keep out too much sound and I can’t sing with them in. Can’t hear myself in the monitor. 😕