facultyofmusic
07-05-2023, 11:50 PM
There are many threads on this forum about hearing protection and... while I agreed with the hearing preservation aspects I always thought I'd be "missing out" on how good the engine sounds. I had these disposable foam plugs that you scrunch up with your fingers and stuff into your ears. The sound could be described as nothing better than sitting in several layers of cardboard boxes.
I've read about these high-fidelity ear plugs that are designed for concert-goers and musicians who want to lower the volume but at a even frequency spread. It's supposed to help you enjoy loud music without killing your ears. Loud music is what our cars sound like, so I gave them a try.
After testing them on a long drive on both highways and twisty back roads all I can say is holy cow! The experience is even BETTER than without ear plugs! Not only could I still hear the noise of the exhaust but I can hear it clearer than before. I realized that without ear plugs my hearing was super washed out by low-frequency booms and without the booms overloading my ears I could hear more clearly the crackles and claps of downshifts and high RPM pulls. Unlike having a quieter exhaust you can still feel the sound waves still get to travel through your chest! It's the best of both worlds.
Have you ever tried to play music loudly on a speaker that's clearly not designed to take the amount of power you're giving it? Have you compared it to a higher power-rating set of speakers designed to handle the increased power? That's what it feels like to go from no ear plugs to high-fidelity ear plugs. Don't let the disposable foam ear-plugs prevent you from saving your ears!
Side note: In some states (like mine) it's illegal to wear "earbuds, headphones, or ear-plugs in both ears" while driving. While I understand why that law exists I don't think I'll hear s**t over the exhaust anyway. I purchased these transparent earplugs (https://eargasm.com/products/copy-of-eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs) that are hard to notice unless you stand up close.
I've read about these high-fidelity ear plugs that are designed for concert-goers and musicians who want to lower the volume but at a even frequency spread. It's supposed to help you enjoy loud music without killing your ears. Loud music is what our cars sound like, so I gave them a try.
After testing them on a long drive on both highways and twisty back roads all I can say is holy cow! The experience is even BETTER than without ear plugs! Not only could I still hear the noise of the exhaust but I can hear it clearer than before. I realized that without ear plugs my hearing was super washed out by low-frequency booms and without the booms overloading my ears I could hear more clearly the crackles and claps of downshifts and high RPM pulls. Unlike having a quieter exhaust you can still feel the sound waves still get to travel through your chest! It's the best of both worlds.
Have you ever tried to play music loudly on a speaker that's clearly not designed to take the amount of power you're giving it? Have you compared it to a higher power-rating set of speakers designed to handle the increased power? That's what it feels like to go from no ear plugs to high-fidelity ear plugs. Don't let the disposable foam ear-plugs prevent you from saving your ears!
Side note: In some states (like mine) it's illegal to wear "earbuds, headphones, or ear-plugs in both ears" while driving. While I understand why that law exists I don't think I'll hear s**t over the exhaust anyway. I purchased these transparent earplugs (https://eargasm.com/products/copy-of-eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs) that are hard to notice unless you stand up close.