I just started using the Etymotics this week. Helps quite a bit. Tonite I tried them in a noisy restaurant/bar. I could clearly carry on a conversation with the person next to me, but my head didn't hurt at the end of the evening.

Mark, I couldn't find the specs. on the Vater plugs. Just calling them musician's earplugs doesn't tell us much.

I had the opportunity to meet and visit the Etymotic founder years ago. He was working with Chicago symphony musicians to develop his line of flat-response ear protection - it was crucial to maintain clarity of sound at all frequencies to allow the musicians to perform at that level.

You may want to pick up a pair to see if they have a different frequency response attenuation than the Vater plugs.

Ron Koval

Ron,

Although the Vater earplugs have a stronger overall attenuation than the Etymotics, the response is similarly flat. Here are the specs:

http://vater.com/products/Vater_EarPlugs_Back.pdf

Judging by the flat response, I don't quite understand where my flat bass problem is coming from...

BTW, the product itself is explained in a lengthy video here:
http://vater.com/products/product.cfm?M=287

I agree, it might be useful to try and get a pair of Etys anyway, to compare.

Well, there are the "specs" and then there is "how does it work". I would suggest getting a pair of Etymotics and see how they compare in the real world. You'll only be out about $15, and it doesn't hurt to have an extra pair.

Ryan,

Absolutely... if I can get the Etymotics shipped to S. Africa, that is. (Which amazon, to my knowledge, doesn't do, and neither do Etymotic themselves. That's why I bought the Vaters in the first place...)

If, somehow, I manage to get a pair ot Etys, I'll be sure to report a comparison here.

How much does it cost to send a pair over there? They weigh next to nothing.

I have to use plugs, or my ears start to bleed...not really, but it feels like it.

I lost one of my ER plugs a while back, and ended up getting some "Hearos" at Walgreen's. They're a lot cheaper, but don't do as good a job of allowing the necessary partials to get through.

I just went to Amazon and ordered two sets of ERs, and a set of Alpine Ear Protection Alpine ear plugs (never heard of or used them before). They have a three-for deal at the moment, to ERs, one Aline. I think it was around $11 for standard shipping. The whole deal came to $50 +/-.

I like to wear ear plugs while driving. Then take them out when tuning. Driving seems to be less stressful when I have the earplugs in.

No idea, Ryan. I don't know what shipping costs typically are in the US. But it shouldn't cost more than a couple of $, I think.

The problem with amazon, if I remember correctly, is that they don't ship to S. Africa anymore, because our local postal service is too unreliable. A friend told me this some time ago. If things have changed, I can always buy a pair at amazon.

Did you try getting them from Etymotics or ebay?

Etymotic, according to their dealer locator, don't have dealers in South Africa. They do have an online mail order service, but their international shipment is listed as $50.00.

I'm not registered on ebay, but that can be remedied...