Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

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Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 25 Jun 2017, 7:07 pm

Hi,

Im looking for a set of class 5 electronic earmuffs. I had some hearing loss as a young child and then some more in the auto trade. I really need to protect what I have left. I also need to wear glasses so that can impact the effectiveness of the seal. I have got some good standard earmuffs, but can't hear range commands with them. I shot at a range today with a cheapish pair of electronic ear muffs, and they were fine for the 22lr, but an adjacent 22wmr was enough to convince me I need something much better

I'm look for a good piece of kit, not a compromise.

Any recommendations?
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Archie » 25 Jun 2017, 7:52 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:Hi,

Im looking for a set of class 5 electronic earmuffs. I had some hearing loss as a young child and then some more in the auto trade. I really need to protect what I have left. I also need to wear glasses so that can impact the effectiveness of the seal. I have got some good standard earmuffs, but can't hear range commands with them. I shot at a range today with a cheapish pair of electronic ear muffs, and they were fine for the 22lr, but an adjacent 22wmr was enough to convince me I need something much better

I'm look for a good piece of kit, not a compromise.

Any recommendations?



I have really good hearing, always have - and I like having really good hearing.. and I also found that I was developing a flinch that was more related to the noise than the recoil. So rather than use plugs I got my self some good standard muffs, same as you, couldn't hear voices, drove me nuts. Then I got some Howard Leight Impact Pros, better, but the seal wasn't great with my shooting glasses on and you really could feel the extra sound coming through vs the heavy duty, non-electronic muffs.

So after trying a bunch owned by mates etc I got these: https://www.gunworld.com.au/msa-sordin-supreme-pro

I can't recommend them highly enough. The one problem is, jesus christ but are they exxy.... but they are more comfortable, the seal does a much better job of moulding itself around the glasses arms. The sound quality is excellent and the filtering of firing noise is really good. You will find brands with higher quoted noise reduction. For what its worth, I'm fairly sure that some of my other pairs have higher quoted noise reduction levels. I am 100% sure that these work better though. From what I've read it's in part because in the US these tests are not particularly standardised. I've also read that an element of it is the frequency of the noise they are trying to exclude, i.e. these things are targeted specifically at peak frequencies for gunshots. I'm not an audio engineer so I'll leave that to people who know what they are talking about. I've just found these are great. Also very tough, and on my head at least they sit fairly high on the ear so they don't interfere too much with cheek weld. On an indoor range when its busy I will still wear foam plugs as well, but I used to do that with standard muffs as well, and it doesn't interfere with hearing conversations when the mic's are switched on.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by pete1 » 25 Jun 2017, 8:02 pm

My Howard Leight Impact earmuffs have being fantastic, got plenty of volume control. Payed about $100 for them few months ago, but its tax time so perfect tax deduction as its classed as PPE for ya.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 25 Jun 2017, 8:04 pm

Are these the impact pro's you're referring to?


http://safetysuppliespl.mobile034.com/p ... rmuff.html
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Chronos » 25 Jun 2017, 8:10 pm

Howard lights are only class 4, I use them when hunting and combine them with class 5 plugs for range days

The new spurt ear electronic ear plugs are listed as class 5 and won't interfere with glasses, hats and won't get sweaty in summer



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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by andreweden » 25 Jun 2017, 8:44 pm

I use peltor ws5 and swear by them.
Not cheap though.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 25 Jun 2017, 8:50 pm

Chronos wrote:Howard lights are only class 4, I use them when hunting and combine them with class 5 plugs for range days

The new spurt ear electronic ear plugs are listed as class 5 and won't interfere with glasses, hats and won't get sweaty in summer



Chronos


The ones in that link are listed as class 5

Which in-ear plugs are you referring to?
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 25 Jun 2017, 8:53 pm

andreweden wrote:I use peltor ws5 and swear by them.
Not cheap though.


Listed as 26db reduction? The HL's are 31
Last edited by Bent Arrow on 25 Jun 2017, 9:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 25 Jun 2017, 9:24 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:Are these the impact pro's you're referring to?


http://safetysuppliespl.mobile034.com/p ... rmuff.html


They look very good value.

"I've also read that an element of it is the frequency of the noise they are trying to exclude, i.e. these things are targeted specifically at peak frequencies for gunshots."

That could be correct. The attention quoted,say 33db is an average over all of the audible frequencies. The designers can target specific frequency ranges. (puns not intended) For instance in a factory after a detailed noise assessment if it's determined the noise generated is mainly (louder) say 5000htz then hearing protection can be purchased that attenuates (reduces) that frequency more than the other requencies.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by pete1 » 25 Jun 2017, 9:32 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:Are these the impact pro's you're referring to?


http://safetysuppliespl.mobile034.com/p ... rmuff.html


I have Impact Sport was thinking they are class 5 they may be class 4 now i think about it. Please disregard my comment if they are class 4, as you are looking for class 5.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Chronos » 25 Jun 2017, 9:49 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:
Chronos wrote:Howard lights are only class 4, I use them when hunting and combine them with class 5 plugs for range days

The new spurt ear electronic ear plugs are listed as class 5 and won't interfere with glasses, hats and won't get sweaty in summer



Chronos


The ones in that link are listed as class 5

Which in-ear plugs are you referring to?


Sorry my mistake, the Howard Leight a pro are class 5 but very large, possibly too big for many shooters. The shooting Howard leight Impact Sports are only class 4, NRR 22db from memory and not enough for rifles imho. Oldbloke knows this stuff better than most but you've got to be careful with NNR, SLC and SNR ratings

I use Howard Leight MAX plugs, class 5 (NRR 33db)

The sport ear are a brand of electronic ear plugs with a class 5 rating (NNR 30Db) but still a bit exxy

https://www.sportear.com/products/ghost ... 9487162254

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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Supaduke » 26 Jun 2017, 6:21 am

I have a pair of Peltor Sport Tacs and they are very good.

If you want the quality end of the scale look at Peltor and MSA-Sordin, excellent quality but you will be paying for the privilege.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by d3driver » 26 Jun 2017, 9:59 am

Archie wrote:
So after trying a bunch owned by mates etc I got these: https://www.gunworld.com.au/msa-sordin-supreme-pro

I can't recommend them highly enough. The one problem is, jesus christ but are they exxy....


I'm so glad to see this feedback, as I just bought a set of the Supreme Pro X on eBay delivered from Sweden (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MSA-SORDIN-S ... 2746545870). I did so based upon the quality of the Sordin earmuffs I've had for 20 years and used to wear when using huge chainsaws etc.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 26 Jun 2017, 10:19 am

There is some good info at these locations.

http://www.howardleight.com/hearing-protection/articles
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources ... ring-video.

Chronos is correct the 3 ratings are all different. I found this at the first web site.

Ratings explained.JPG
Ratings explained.JPG (88.66 KiB) Viewed 7787 times


If you had 3 sets of muffs and all were rated 33 dB attenuation then you would rate them likes this. 1 = best 3 = worst
1. SCL 80
2. NRR
3. SNR

So the muffs fpr $110 are SNR 33 dB are equal to about 26 dB they are a low end Class 5. Still good value but for serious target shooters probably not good enough. By wearing a pair of ear plugs under the muffs you will increase the protection by about 5 to 7 dB if worn correctly which few people do. Also generally speaking, due to the nature/physics of sound the higher the class/attenuation the bulkier they are. Hope this helps,

HPD Classes.JPG
HPD Classes.JPG (28.49 KiB) Viewed 7787 times
Last edited by Oldbloke on 26 Jun 2017, 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Wylie27 » 26 Jun 2017, 11:43 am

I used Radian diy ear plugs under my ear 'muffs

You mild the radian to your ear like and shape them.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 26 Jun 2017, 1:03 pm

Oldbloke wrote:There is some good info at these locations.

http://www.howardleight.com/hearing-protection/articles
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources ... ring-video.

Chronos is correct the 3 ratings are all different. I found this at the first web site.

The attachment Ratings explained.JPG is no longer available


If you had 3 sets of muffs and all were rated 33 dB attenuation then you would rate them likes this. 1 = best 3 = worst
1. SCL 80
2. NRR
3. SNR

So the muffs fpr $110 are SNR 33 dB are equal to about 28 dB they are a low end Class 5. Still good value but for serious target shooters probably not good enough. By wearing a pair of ear plugs under the muffs you will increase the protection by about 5 to 7 dB if worn correctly which few people do. Also generally speaking, due to the nature/physics of sound the higher the class/attenuation the bulkier they are. Hope this helps,

The attachment HPD Classes.JPG is no longer available



It helps a lot, thanks. The product specifications sheet that I downloaded shows SLC80@ 31db

Given that the price jump between these and anything that might be better quality is 4x, I think I'll buy a pair and see how they go. Worst comes to worst and they are too bulky for shooting they'll get used in the shed and when teaching my boy etc.

I'll let you know how they go
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 26 Jun 2017, 4:59 pm

Every 3 dB increase in noise level doubles the power. Therefore if you wear ear plugs under the muffs you are at least doubling your protection assuming an attenuation of 3 dB and about 6dB is achievable. But as I mentioned earlier people rarely insert plugs correctly.

Those muffs for $110 are great value unless you are a regular range shooter .
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 26 Jun 2017, 8:22 pm

Yeah I'm not currently planning on shooting at a range on a frequent basis. If I was shooting at a range on a weekly basis I'd definitely consider spending more $ straight up. I'll give these a try first.

What's the big tip re inserting ear plugs properly?
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Supaduke » 26 Jun 2017, 10:43 pm

If your face starts twitching, you've gone in too far ......
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Dexer » 26 Jun 2017, 10:57 pm

I've got a pair of the Howard Leight impact pro earmuffs, pretty good. Though admittedly, I've not used them a great deal for any rifle shooting. Mainly shotgun (thousands of rounds). When I was firing a 3030 quite a bit in a short space not long ago I put plugs in as well, seemed to do the job.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Gwion » 27 Jun 2017, 12:32 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:Yeah I'm not currently planning on shooting at a range on a frequent basis. If I was shooting at a range on a weekly basis I'd definitely consider spending more $ straight up. I'll give these a try first.

What's the big tip re inserting ear plugs properly?


You can buy DIY two pack silicon ear plug packs. Follow direction to the letter (yes, that does require reading them all first) and you will have plugs perfectly formed to YOUR ears. Cost about $20 from memory. I bought some end of last year and glad i did. I now wander around the range with them in and can hear people talking but the shots are muffled. I then put on my Leight muffs when on the firing line. I can still hear RO instructions... if they're yelling at me! :lol: (joke)
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Yipikaye » 27 Jun 2017, 5:42 pm

I just bought some of these to put on under my Howard Leight electronic earmuffs.

https://www.happyears.com.au

I'll report back on how they are.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 27 Jun 2017, 6:10 pm

This is how to correctly fit ear plugs.

https://youtu.be/kMMHudYoQ40
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 27 Jun 2017, 9:30 pm

Oldbloke wrote:This is how to correctly fit ear plugs.

https://youtu.be/kMMHudYoQ40


Damn it, Ive been doing something right for a change.
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 27 Jun 2017, 10:23 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:
Oldbloke wrote:This is how to correctly fit ear plugs.

https://youtu.be/kMMHudYoQ40


Damn it, Ive been doing something right for a change.


I take it your married then. :lol:
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Oldbloke » 28 Jun 2017, 5:28 am

Just had a look at the specs. The Howard's are even better than I thought. Attenuation is 31dB SLC80. Not bad.

http://www.honeywellsafety.com/Products ... x?site=/au
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Bent Arrow » 28 Jun 2017, 7:39 am

Oldbloke wrote:
Bent Arrow wrote:
Oldbloke wrote:This is how to correctly fit ear plugs.

https://youtu.be/kMMHudYoQ40


Damn it, Ive been doing something right for a change.


I take it your married then. :lol:


Yep. Will rack up a total time served of 21 years in August, 10 years of marriage in September
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by Keltec » 29 Jun 2017, 9:20 pm

Peltor 500 is the latest. They were released at the
Vegas 2017 shots how. Bought one from the US 3 weeks ago and am very happy with them. They even Bluetooth to your phone and are made for shooters
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by andreweden » 04 Jul 2017, 3:53 pm

Bent Arrow wrote:
andreweden wrote:I use peltor ws5 and swear by them.
Not cheap though.


Listed as 26db reduction? The HL's are 31


These are the ones I have (no flex connector)

This product meets the criteria of a Class 5 Hearing Protector according to AS/NZS 1270.

http://www.defcon.com.au/partners/3m/3M_WS_ProTac_XP%20AUS_DT.pdf
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Re: Looking for class 5 electronic earmuffs

Post by albat » 04 Jul 2017, 8:51 pm

https://www.gunworld.com.au/howard-leig ... -green-gwa these came on special today great deal i think i have these and cant speak highly enough of them for range work and hunting
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