The most sophisticated, most important music and sound instrument of 2014 is – your hearing.
But the best hearing protection is simply the one you’ll always use. And that’s why DUBS are the best product of 2014.
There are great hearing protection products out there, and for professional applications like touring, something spendy may well worth be considering. But you may have decided you don’t have the time to get your ears molded, or they’re too expensive to buy, or you aren’t using them because you’re afraid you’ll lose them. (I think I know as many professional musicians who have lost expensive hearing protection as I know with tinnitus.)
Then, there are the inexpensive earplugs. I think these may actually be doing more harm than good. They feel uncomfortable. They pop out. Then, at best, they sound absolutely terrible, just slightly worse than sticking your fingers in your ear and putting your head under a pillow. They train people that protecting your ears means not hearing a concert or event. I see people with toilet paper stuffed in their ears. This has to stop.
DUBS acoustic filters tick every box. They’re cheap enough that you can afford to lose them. (They’re US$25 a pair, with European availability expected any day now.) They don’t look strange in your ear; I actually got a couple of compliments. They feel perfectly comfortable, feeling just like standard-sized earbuds, and with enough flex that they seem to be happy in most ears. (Swappable sizes might be an improvement, but I haven’t needed them yet.)
I was skeptical, but these really are incredibly comfortable to wear – and you don’t feel like a dork.
Now, I have no idea what it means that DUBS are “the first advanced tech ear plugs using Dynamic Attenuation to deliver optimal hearing protection while preserving sound fidelity.”
Here’s what matters: they sound absolutely fantastic. The filtering is good enough in club and concert environments that I’ve repeatedly forgotten I was wearing them or been convinced they had popped out. And I, like you, get pretty picky. DUBS says they deliver 12 dB attenuation. There are ear protection products that certainly offer more, but that’s enough to mean the difference between your ears ringing (ominously) after an extended plane trip or show.
The packaging works well enough as a carry case.
And it’s the experience that is the most encouraging. It really does sound like someone dropped 12 dB but changed nothing else.
I grabbed a pair of DUBS in a Best Buy in New York (after a whole lot of confusion about what they were and where they had walked off to), catching a flight back to Berlin. I was convinced my ears couldn’t stand another night of techno. I stood by the DJ booth at Berghain last week and tried taking them in and out while watching the SPL meter. I think these things are simply unreal.
It was fitting that, in advance of the European launch, Hans Zimmer helped launch these this year at Amsterdam Dance Event.
I think they’re just fantastic. And I hope people spread the word. DUBS, the product of impressively-named “Doppler Labs,” have even invented named this category of products “hearables.”
Whether or not DUBS specifically are right for everyone, we need to at least start convincing friends – professionals and non-professionals alike – to protect their hearing health. Even if we’ve already experienced some hearing loss and tinnitus, we can help make sure it doesn’t get worse. And that’s one New Year’s Resolution worth keeping.
And hurry up with that European launch, DUBS. (Disclosure: I missed them at ADE and hadn’t ever heard of them before I read about them in The Verge. But, yes, guess I should track them down – mostly reviews have come from consumer sites and not from musicians.)
Happy New Year / guten Rutsch, everybody.
Update: as I hoped, a lot of you have suggested alternative products. So, rather than buy more DUBS (which is impossible at this point anyway) as my backup for when I invariably lose these (trust me, I’m a menace), I will try to stock up on some of these other alternatives and do some testing. I think a lot of this is down to personal preference: once you have a reasonably consistent 12 dB reduction, the biggest variable is really how comfortably they fit in your ear. (And that in turn will have a big impact on effectiveness in sound.)
Definitely worth reading through the comments for some other ideas.
Suggested products – all of them essentially the same principle, acoustic filters worn as standard earplugs (rather than custom-molded):
Etymotic ETY plugs (Etymotic actually suggests replacing these every few months with regular use – and they have a bulk discount)
Doc’s ProPlugs (looks like a surfing product, but I have actually heard musicians use these – and these seem to have similar sound performance)
Also, a contrasting product – Hearos are foam:
Going to a hearing clinic and getting a custom-molded set may still be a good option.
I think the point is, get one of these you like, whatever it is. The foam earplugs I never found to be comfortable or to attenuate sound in a way I liked; then again, I know others who swear by them, so a lot of this is down to personal preference.
I do suspect the three acoustic filters (Alpine, Etymotic, and Doc’s) are probably better buys (and easier to locate) than DUBS. The Etymotic and Alpine I will try to locate and test right away. Readers note that they may deliver both flatter and more effective attenuation, which is what you want.
But the very complaint from some readers about DUBS – that they’ve been getting loads of mainstream press – is to me a plus, not a minus. Your average music producer, let alone your average music listener, is going to have no idea that a product named Doc’s that looks like it’s for surfers is going to be for them. I sincerely hope DUBS get some wide attention and distribution and that people start using hearing protection. And certainly it’s nice to have a product with a fresh take on design.
Comfort and sound quality are key, though, so yes, I hope we follow up on these other topics mentioned in comments:
1. Which earplugs to buy
2. What it is that makes listening environments dangerous
3. How club sound approaches (or concert) clash with what we know to be safe listening levels
(And, not mentioned in comments, for those of us doing lots of headphone listening, how to know when we’re doing so safely.)
I was out of time in 2014, but now there’s a chance to write more about this issue in 2015.
Though i have to say, if you can’t feel the bass, life is not worth living.
Then you’re an idiot. Just wait til you get to my age (50) and you have suffered for the last 18 years non-stop 24-hour noise-induced tinnitus and much worse still than that, hyperacusis – which effectively turns you into a recluse because almost every sound, even (especially) the sound of your own voice inside your head, is just too painful to bear. Want to hear music at any level other than whisper-quiet? Forget about it. Want to play an acoustic piano or even an acoustic guitar? Impossible. Want to be around your young daughter when she’s laughing and playing? Forget about that too. And all because I thought wearing earplugs would stop me from “getting into” the music, and high volume levels were a pleasurable necessity. So you just carry on with that attitude and, believe me, you’ll sooner or later be making a pretty serious re-appraisal of just what makes life worth living or not. Happy new year.
this was one of the best post I’ve read on Peters page, definitely made me think about this issue more seriously….. Thank You.
Thank you sir.
i’m nearly the same age as you, musician, sound engineer and used to dj in the 90s, a time when nobody worried about sound levels, also played in hard rock bands for years rehearsing for hours in tiny rooms with the drummer right next to me and all amps at 11, used to always be in the front 10 rows of all concerts i went to … and i’ve never even once worn earplugs and my hearing is absolutely fine (doctor certified this just recently) … when it’s too loud i hang back at the bar or leave if it’s loud and the music shit … so no, people who don’t wear ear plugs and like it loud are not idiots ..
Of course not – pardon my mistake. They’re all Real Men like yourself, obviously.
Schundel, some years ago I was hit by a car on the street. I survived with just some bruises and a cracked rib. I walked to the hospital.
So, following your logic, I must assume it’s okay to continue getting hit by cars and I should stop looking left and right when I cross the street. Why bother, right? I’m just that tough.
Hearing damage is not a linear matter.
Fact 1) Different people have different ear sensitivities and damage occurs at different speeds.
Fact 2) Hearing damage can occur through a sudden event (explosion, loud burst of noise from a speaker) or accumulated damage over the years. Inner ear cells gradually accumulate damage and die off, and more so with noise exposure. After a particular event, one day your hearing is fine, the next day some of the cells have died and you’re left with maddening tinnitus or your lose part of your high freq. hearing.
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx
I am truly glad your inner ear has superior resistance, that hearing is still fine and that you have so far been resisting the damage.
I am just sorry that your misplaced testosterone levels cloud your clarity of mind and prevent you from avoiding certain damage in the near future, particularly as you become older and keep exposing yourself to that kind of noise without protection.
And trust me, if you keep pushing it, it WILL happen, sooner or later. I’ve seen it happen with several professional musicians. The lucky ones just became hard of hearing, which makes their job a bit more difficult and less enjoyable. Quite a few unlucky ones have had to stop playing altogether to prevent their tinnitus and hyperacusis from becoming unbearable.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
You do so cautiously and with a brain instead of standing right in front of the stacks when they really are truly to loud. There is a difference.
Though i have to say, if you can’t feel the bass, life is not worth living.
Then you’re an idiot. Just wait til you get to my age (50) and you have suffered for the last 18 years non-stop 24-hour noise-induced tinnitus and much worse still than that, hyperacusis – which effectively turns you into a recluse because almost every sound, even (especially) the sound of your own voice inside your head, is just too painful to bear. Want to hear music at any level other than whisper-quiet? Forget about it. Want to play an acoustic piano or even an acoustic guitar? Impossible. Want to be around your young daughter when she’s laughing and playing? Forget about that too. And all because I thought wearing earplugs would stop me from “getting into” the music, and high volume levels were a pleasurable necessity. So you just carry on with that attitude and, believe me, you’ll sooner or later be making a pretty serious re-appraisal of just what makes life worth living or not. Happy new year.
this was one of the best post I’ve read on Peters page, definitely made me think about this issue more seriously….. Thank You.
Thank you sir.
i’m nearly the same age as you, musician, sound engineer and used to dj in the 90s, a time when nobody worried about sound levels, also played in hard rock bands for years rehearsing for hours in tiny rooms with the drummer right next to me and all amps at 11, used to always be in the front 10 rows of all concerts i went to … and i’ve never even once worn earplugs and my hearing is absolutely fine (doctor certified this just recently) … when it’s too loud i hang back at the bar or leave if it’s loud and the music shit … so no, people who don’t wear ear plugs and like it loud are not idiots ..
Of course not – pardon my mistake. They’re all Real Men like yourself, obviously.
Schundel, some years ago I was hit by a car on the street. I survived with just some bruises and a cracked rib. I walked to the hospital.
So, following your logic, I must assume it’s okay to continue getting hit by cars and I should stop looking left and right when I cross the street. Why bother, right? I’m just that tough.
Hearing damage is not a linear matter.
Fact 1) Different people have different ear sensitivities and damage occurs at different speeds.
Fact 2) Hearing damage can occur through a sudden event (explosion, loud burst of noise from a speaker) or accumulated damage over the years. Inner ear cells gradually accumulate damage and die off, and more so with noise exposure. After a particular event, one day your hearing is fine, the next day some of the cells have died and you’re left with maddening tinnitus or your lose part of your high freq. hearing.
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx
I am truly glad your inner ear has superior resistance, that your hearing is still fine and that you have so far been resisting the damage.
But trust me, if you keep pushing it, it WILL happen, sooner or later. This is documented scientific fact, and I’ve personally seen it happen with several professional musicians, some of whom had that testosterone-fueled “I don’t need those nerdy earplugs” attitude.
The lucky ones just became hard of hearing, which makes their job a bit more difficult and less enjoyable. Quite a few unlucky ones have had to stop playing altogether to prevent their tinnitus and hyperacusis from becoming unbearable.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
You do so cautiously and with a brain instead of standing right in front of the stacks when they really are truly to loud. There is a difference.
Though i have to say, if you can’t feel the bass, life is not worth living.
Then you’re an idiot. Just wait til you get to my age (50) and you have suffered for the last 18 years non-stop 24-hour noise-induced tinnitus and much worse still than that, hyperacusis – which effectively turns you into a recluse because almost every sound, even (especially) the sound of your own voice inside your head, is just too painful to bear. Want to hear music at any level other than whisper-quiet? Forget about it. Want to play an acoustic piano or even an acoustic guitar? Impossible. Want to be around your young daughter when she’s laughing and playing? Forget about that too. And all because I thought wearing earplugs would stop me from “getting into” the music, and high volume levels were a pleasurable necessity. So you just carry on with that attitude and, believe me, you’ll sooner or later be making a pretty serious re-appraisal of just what makes life worth living or not. Happy new year.
this was one of the best post I’ve read on Peters page, definitely made me think about this issue more seriously….. Thank You.
Thank you sir.
i’m nearly the same age as you, musician, sound engineer and used to dj in the 90s, a time when nobody worried about sound levels, also played in hard rock bands for years rehearsing for hours in tiny rooms with the drummer right next to me and all amps at 11, used to always be in the front 10 rows of all concerts i went to … and i’ve never even once worn earplugs and my hearing is absolutely fine (doctor certified this just recently) … when it’s too loud i hang back at the bar or leave if it’s loud and the music shit … so no, people who don’t wear ear plugs and like it loud are not idiots ..
Of course not – pardon my mistake. They’re all Real Men like yourself, obviously.
Schundel, some years ago I was hit by a car on the street. I survived with just some bruises and a cracked rib. I walked to the hospital.
So, following your logic, I must assume it’s okay to continue getting hit by cars and I should stop looking left and right when I cross the street. Why bother, right? I’m just that tough.
Hearing damage is not a linear matter.
Fact 1) Different people have different ear sensitivities and damage occurs at different speeds.
Fact 2) Hearing damage can occur through a sudden event (explosion, loud burst of noise from a speaker) or accumulated damage over the years. Inner ear cells gradually accumulate damage and die off, and more so with noise exposure. After a particular event, one day your hearing is fine, the next day some of the cells have died and you’re left with maddening tinnitus or your lose part of your high freq. hearing.
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx
I am truly glad your inner ear has superior resistance, that your hearing is still fine and that you have so far been resisting the damage.
But trust me, if you keep pushing it, it WILL happen, sooner or later. This is documented scientific fact, and I’ve personally seen it happen with several professional musicians, some of whom had that testosterone-fueled “I don’t need those nerdy earplugs” attitude.
The lucky ones just became hard of hearing, which makes their job a bit more difficult and less enjoyable. Quite a few unlucky ones have had to stop playing altogether to prevent their tinnitus and hyperacusis from becoming unbearable.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
You do so cautiously and with a brain instead of standing right in front of the stacks when they really are truly to loud. There is a difference.
I’ve needed earplugs for a while. Just ordered these because of this article. 🙂
I’ve needed earplugs for a while. Just ordered these because of this article. 🙂
I’ve needed earplugs for a while. Just ordered these because of this article. 🙂
Are they shallow enought to wear with DJ headphones? I use foam earplugs when I’m attending a gig in the audience but when I’m spinning I usually have to crank the mixer’s headphone output to compete with the club. I was going to get a pair of custom earplugs for DJ’ing but I’d first try these if they fit under over-the-ear headphones.
Are they shallow enought to wear with DJ headphones? I use foam earplugs when I’m attending a gig in the audience but when I’m spinning I usually have to crank the mixer’s headphone output to compete with the club. I was going to get a pair of custom earplugs for DJ’ing but I’d first try these if they fit under over-the-ear headphones.
Are they shallow enought to wear with DJ headphones? I use foam earplugs when I’m attending a gig in the audience but when I’m spinning I usually have to crank the mixer’s headphone output to compete with the club. I was going to get a pair of custom earplugs for DJ’ing but I’d first try these if they fit under over-the-ear headphones.
Does Anyone know, how they compete with http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-pro/ or http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-classic/ ? Dubs definetively look better, but i liked the ability of the alpine to attach the box to my keychain, so i have them with me whereever i go (allthough it opened by accident from time to time, so i allready lost the plugs). But most important, what about the SOUND?
Does Anyone know, how they compete with http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-pro/ or http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-classic/ ? Dubs definetively look better, but i liked the ability of the alpine to attach the box to my keychain, so i have them with me whereever i go (allthough it opened by accident from time to time, so i allready lost the plugs). But most important, what about the SOUND?
Does Anyone know, how they compete with http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-pro/ or http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-classic/ ? Dubs definetively look better, but i liked the ability of the alpine to attach the box to my keychain, so i have them with me whereever i go (allthough it opened by accident from time to time, so i allready lost the plugs). But most important, what about the SOUND?
I’ve used a bunch of different 12 db plugs with some form of plastic tube.. and imo they don’t seem to block off the bass enough, so everything sounds like a low pass filter, especially if you are right next to the speakers. Plus if the crowd is rowdy, i dont like having hard plastic in my ear.
I now use Hearos – ultimate softness. 32 db reduction that imo seems a bit more even, especially when you are up front. I really cram them in, which oddly seems to even the response out. You can get an economy pack for cheap. I sometimes reuse a pair occasionally in plastic bag if they are clean. Plus if you get hit in the head, they won’t hurt. :-
Same here, I actually prefer foam headplugs. You definitely have to get used to them, as they really attenuate the upper frequencies, but after using them constantly the sounds feels quite balanced and very important, my ear feel safe.
I’ve used a bunch of different 12 db plugs with some form of plastic tube.. and imo they don’t seem to block off the bass enough, so everything sounds like a low pass filter, especially if you are right next to the speakers. Plus if the crowd is rowdy, i dont like having hard plastic in my ear.
I now use Hearos – ultimate softness. 32 db reduction that imo seems a bit more even, especially when you are up front. I really cram them in, which oddly seems to even the response out. You can get an economy pack for cheap. I sometimes reuse a pair occasionally in plastic bag if they are clean. Plus if you get hit in the head, they won’t hurt. :-
Same here, I actually prefer foam headplugs. You definitely have to get used to them, as they really attenuate the upper frequencies, but after using them constantly the sounds feels quite balanced and very important, my ear feel safe.
I’ve used a bunch of different 12 db plugs with some form of plastic tube.. and imo they don’t seem to block off the bass enough, so everything sounds like a low pass filter, especially if you are right next to the speakers. Plus if the crowd is rowdy, i dont like having hard plastic in my ear.
I now use Hearos – ultimate softness. 32 db reduction that imo seems a bit more even, especially when you are up front. I really cram them in, which oddly seems to even the response out. You can get an economy pack for cheap. I sometimes reuse a pair occasionally in plastic bag if they are clean. Plus if you get hit in the head, they won’t hurt. :-
Same here, I actually prefer foam headplugs. You definitely have to get used to them, as they really attenuate the upper frequencies, but after using them constantly the sounds feels quite balanced and very important, my ear feel safe.
Thanks Peter, just what i needed for tonight’s party:) I’m going to best buy now.
Thanks Peter, just what i needed for tonight’s party:) I’m going to best buy now.
Thanks Peter, just what i needed for tonight’s party:) I’m going to best buy now.
A reddit discussion of the product:
http://www.reddit.com/r/shutupandtakemymoney/comments/2hfdj9/advanced_tech_ear_plugs_dubs_acoustic_filters_the/
A reddit discussion of the product:
http://www.reddit.com/r/shutupandtakemymoney/comments/2hfdj9/advanced_tech_ear_plugs_dubs_acoustic_filters_the/
A reddit discussion of the product:
http://www.reddit.com/r/shutupandtakemymoney/comments/2hfdj9/advanced_tech_ear_plugs_dubs_acoustic_filters_the/
Did you receive any compensation for this post? I’m very suspicious of these things as there are very few genuine reviews but a lot of marketing buzz.
Why is there always someone suspecting paid advertising, whenever a product is straight up recommended at this site? Have you ever seen any non-critical endorsements here that have not been marked as such?
I’m just very suspicious of this particular product as I’ve seen a tremendous amount of marketing buzz around them but actual critical reviews are very hard to come by. Products that generate too much buzz before people have actually had a chance to use them tend to be compensating for some shortfall either in performance or value. In this case at their price point I suspect it’s value. These things being not much more than pieces of moulded plastic likely cost less than $0.50 to manufacture over in China, so DUBs are relying on a marketing blitz and celebrity endorsements to convince people of their value. My suspicious were further piqued by the fact that this product is nothing new, and that numerous other companies have offered noise attenuating earplugs for many years and yet CDM has never written about any of them (as far as I know), nor provided glowing reviews that directly link to those companies online stores as this article does. I think it’s reasonable to ask wether or not reviews have been compensated, but If Peter will confirm the article was not compensated I’ll happily retract my prior comment as I trust his word and judgement.
“I think they’re just fantastic. And I hope people spread the word. DUBS,
the product of impressively-named “Doppler Labs,” have even invented
named this category of products “hearables””…ahem
Yes, I’m normally allergic to this stuff.
However…
Have a look at the other products mentioned here. With millions of kids suddenly getting into dance music and clubbing who weren’t before, the marketing for this other stuff is simply dreadful. The stuff is just ugly and a lot of those folks aren’t going to a hearing clinic.
So, if suddenly there’s a bunch of marketing money behind — *hearing protection* — that’s a bad thing how, exactly?
I agree with you here. These things look substantially better than any of their competitors and for our style obsessed culture, that’s going to make the difference between people protecting their hearing and not. I’m actually quite happy to hear some independent verification that these things are any good, as even though they are vastly overpriced, I was considering buying them because to be totally honest I want some hearing protection, but don’t really want to look like giant dork with the Etymotic’s sticking out my hears at a club 🙂
Who are you to say so emphatically that they are “overpriced?” Hell – It’s the price that makes me suspicious they actually do what they say they do. I’d expect to pay $99 dollars and up for something that does what they claim – they seem cheap to me.
This article was very much not compensated. I actually need to track down a contact at Doppler Labs and as others suggest try some other products.
But, frankly, I’m happy if people buy *any* hearing protection they use. So that’s what I mean. I’ve been out too many times without it and I regret that already.
No. There was no paid compensation. In fact, the DUBS wound up costing me more than I expected, as I wound up having to get a taxi from Broadway/Lafayette to Penn Station to avoid missing my flight back from America – the Best Buy couldn’t find them.
I would very much like to do a comparison review with the other products mentioned.
For me, this was a personal buy and one I happened to like.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
EDIT: Peter has confirmed no compensation was received for this post.
Did you receive any compensation for this post? I’m very suspicious of these things as there are very few genuine reviews but a lot of marketing buzz.
Why is there always someone suspecting paid advertising, whenever a product is straight up recommended at this site? Have you ever seen any non-critical endorsements here that have not been marked as such?
I’m just very suspicious of this particular product as I’ve seen a tremendous amount of marketing buzz around them but actual critical reviews are very hard to come by. Products that generate too much buzz before people have actually had a chance to use them tend to be compensating for some shortfall either in performance or value. In this case at their price point I suspect it’s value. These things being not much more than pieces of moulded plastic likely cost less than $0.50 to manufacture over in China, so DUBs are relying on a marketing blitz and celebrity endorsements to convince people of their value. My suspicious were further piqued by the fact that this product is nothing new, and that numerous other companies have offered noise attenuating earplugs for many years and yet CDM has never written about any of them (as far as I know), nor provided glowing reviews that directly link to those companies online stores as this article does. I think it’s reasonable to ask wether or not reviews have been compensated, but If Peter will confirm the article was not compensated I’ll happily retract my prior comment as I trust his word and judgement.
“I think they’re just fantastic. And I hope people spread the word. DUBS,
the product of impressively-named “Doppler Labs,” have even invented
named this category of products “hearables””…ahem. Along with that weird keyboard that bought juce, just see this as sign of frothy tech investment money washing up on the sands of the music tech industry. Nothing to see here.
Yes, I’m normally allergic to this stuff.
However…
Have a look at the other products mentioned here. With millions of kids suddenly getting into dance music and clubbing who weren’t before, the marketing for this other stuff is simply dreadful. The stuff is just ugly and a lot of those folks aren’t going to a hearing clinic.
So, if suddenly there’s a bunch of marketing money behind — *hearing protection* — that’s a bad thing how, exactly?
I agree with you here. These things look substantially better than any of their competitors and for our style obsessed culture, that’s going to make the difference between people protecting their hearing and not. I’m actually quite happy to hear some independent verification that these things are any good, as even though they are vastly overpriced, I was considering buying them because to be totally honest I want some hearing protection, but don’t really want to look like giant dork with the Etymotic’s sticking out my hears at a club 🙂
Who are you to say so emphatically that they are “overpriced?” Hell – It’s the price that makes me suspicious they actually do what they say they do. I’d expect to pay $99 dollars and up for something that does what they claim – they seem cheap to me.
This article was very much not compensated. I actually need to track down a contact at Doppler Labs and as others suggest try some other products.
But, frankly, I’m happy if people buy *any* hearing protection they use. So that’s what I mean. I’ve been out too many times without it and I regret that already.
No. There was no paid compensation. In fact, the DUBS wound up costing me more than I expected, as I wound up having to get a taxi from Broadway/Lafayette to Penn Station to avoid missing my flight back from America – the Best Buy couldn’t find them.
I would very much like to do a comparison review with the other products mentioned.
For me, this was a personal buy and one I happened to like.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
EDIT: Peter has confirmed no compensation was received for this post.
Did you receive any compensation for this post? I’m very suspicious of these things as there are very few genuine reviews but a lot of marketing buzz.
Why is there always someone suspecting paid advertising, whenever a product is straight up recommended at this site? Have you ever seen any non-critical endorsements here that have not been marked as such?
I’m just very suspicious of this particular product as I’ve seen a tremendous amount of marketing buzz around them but actual critical reviews are very hard to come by. Products that generate too much buzz before people have actually had a chance to use them tend to be compensating for some shortfall either in performance or value. In this case at their price point I suspect it’s value. These things being not much more than pieces of moulded plastic likely cost less than $0.50 to manufacture over in China, so DUBs are relying on a marketing blitz and celebrity endorsements to convince people of their value. My suspicious were further piqued by the fact that this product is nothing new, and that numerous other companies have offered noise attenuating earplugs for many years and yet CDM has never written about any of them (as far as I know), nor provided glowing reviews that directly link to those companies online stores as this article does. I think it’s reasonable to ask wether or not reviews have been compensated, but If Peter will confirm the article was not compensated I’ll happily retract my prior comment as I trust his word and judgement.
“I think they’re just fantastic. And I hope people spread the word. DUBS,
the product of impressively-named “Doppler Labs,” have even invented
named this category of products “hearables””…ahem. Along with that weird keyboard that bought juce, just see this as sign of frothy tech investment money washing up on the sands of the music tech industry. Nothing to see here.
Yes, I’m normally allergic to this stuff.
However…
Have a look at the other products mentioned here. With millions of kids suddenly getting into dance music and clubbing who weren’t before, the marketing for this other stuff is simply dreadful. The stuff is just ugly and a lot of those folks aren’t going to a hearing clinic.
So, if suddenly there’s a bunch of marketing money behind — *hearing protection* — that’s a bad thing how, exactly?
I agree with you here. These things look substantially better than any of their competitors and for our style obsessed culture, that’s going to make the difference between people protecting their hearing and not. I’m actually quite happy to hear some independent verification that these things are any good, as even though they are vastly overpriced, I was considering buying them because to be totally honest I want some hearing protection, but don’t really want to look like giant dork with the Etymotic’s sticking out my hears at a club 🙂
Who are you to say so emphatically that they are “overpriced?” Hell – It’s the price that makes me suspicious they actually do what they say they do. I’d expect to pay $99 dollars and up for something that does what they claim – they seem cheap to me.
This article was very much not compensated. I actually need to track down a contact at Doppler Labs and as others suggest try some other products.
But, frankly, I’m happy if people buy *any* hearing protection they use. So that’s what I mean. I’ve been out too many times without it and I regret that already.
No. There was no paid compensation. In fact, the DUBS wound up costing me more than I expected, as I wound up having to get a taxi from Broadway/Lafayette to Penn Station to avoid missing my flight back from America – the Best Buy couldn’t find them.
I would very much like to do a comparison review with the other products mentioned.
For me, this was a personal buy and one I happened to like.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
sold
sold
sold
the issue with bass has more to do with the way it travels through your body. there isn’t really any way to protect yourself from high-volume subs when you stand near them. if you can feel the bass, your ears can be damaged by it.
the issue with bass has more to do with the way it travels through your body. there isn’t really any way to protect yourself from high-volume subs when you stand near them. if you can feel the bass, your ears can be damaged by it.
the issue with bass has more to do with the way it travels through your body. there isn’t really any way to protect yourself from high-volume subs when you stand near them. if you can feel the bass, your ears can be damaged by it.
Why don’t clubs etc. just TURN DOWN the music in the first place so it is within legal non-damaging limits?!
Because then the 300 people in the club would not buy 25$ ear protection each? 🙂
Disclosure: I prefer going to concerts and listen to actual musicians, and I’ve never really liked going “clubbing”. You’ll usually find me in bars, music festivals and arena concerts, or smaller music venues.
Interestingly enough, I’ve been to heavy metal gigs where the volume was not as punishing as what you can find in raves.
Also, the last few times I was dragged into a club by friends, I actually ran into some places where they sold or offered earplugs at the door – either way, it’s completely moronic.
The main reason dance music clubs turn the noise up is economic: If
the volume is bearable, people end up actually talking to each other. When they’re talking and socializing, they drink a lot less.
If they can’t talk to each other, they’ll just carry on drinking ridiculously priced beers and cokctails. And to make them drink even more, the music usually has to be ear-shattering loud, with strong, repetitive beats and
artificially uplifting looping melodies (i.e. EDM).
The volume in these places *always* causes long-term or permanent damage to people who don’t protect their ears – and sometimes even ear plugs can’t save you from damage.
I consider this a major public health crime and over half of the clubs in major cities should be closed down for that reason alone. They won’t, of course, because the business is too big.
This is itself an interesting thread. It’d be worth pitting club owners versus hearing doctors to work out — what is dangerous? What would it sound like if clubs played at reasonable volumes?
According to a few doctors (ear specialists) I talked to over the years, anything above 100db is dangerous.
So that includes most clubs / discos.
If clubs played at reasonable volumes, they would probably be making a lot less money for the reasons I explained above.
Also, large crowds would sometimes drown out the music, which in some cases could actually be a blessing.
Mind you, rock music festivals and arena concerts would also suffer – without current volume levels, they would probably not be able to hold crowds of 100,000 people, although that depends on the technology used (directional speakers, long-distance arrays that spread out the sound, etc.)
Right – but then that means if the DUBS *or* these other options give you at least -12dB, you’re back under 100dB and safe again. (Theoretically – I would like to talk to an ear doc about this.)
So, for all the debate, better to wear any of these than none of these – that’s the bottom line.
Oh yeah, absolutely. If these DUBS products fit in most ears (ergonomics is always an issue) then people should definitely get them, no matter what their music venue habits are.
My only suggestion for DUBS (like I wrote in another comment a few minutes ago) would be: producing other varieties of filters, -15db, -20db and so on to fit different needs.
PS – suggestion:
if you find the time, follow up on that idea of pitting ear doctors “against” club owners, with interviews, possibly. That would make for great reading (and would probably count as a public service announcement)
As I understood it, alcohol actually causes the ear to be less sensitive to volume, changing the dynamics of the bones and tendons in your ears (this from a soundman friend). I had always thought that improving alcohol sales by making the volume painfully (literally) loud (thereby encouraging painkiller drinks). However, a spot of googling and there seems to be more to this dynamic than that (whether that was true or not. This was one of many searching “alcohol effect on hearing”
Oops; should have a “clubs were” inserted. And it didn’t look like that link worked. Sorry for the half-coherent post there!
One my last routine ear checkup, my doctor confirmed that alcohol loosens up muscle tension – there are muscles in your outer ears the close up your ear canal when you’re exposed to loud sounds. This means that if you go to clubs and AND drink a lot, you are that much exposed.
Which makes the whole way discos and clubs make business even more irresponsible and dangerous.
wow, somebody sure doesnt like loud music… =(. Instead of shutting down a club, please try going somewhere else? Many people love loud music, many people love alcohol (no matter what the audio levels), and there will always be supply and demand.
Yes, I’m an just an annoying old man.
This is a matter of public health and people should know the risks. That is all. Many discos and some arena concerts have volume levels comparable to airplane takeoffs.
There is a difference between “loud music” and “sticking your head into an airplane engine”. You’re welcome to do it, if you want to become deaf and suffer from mind-breaking tinnitus and hyperacusis for the rest of your life. You have a right to make that choice. I have a right to say it’s idiotic.
I honestly prefer extremely loud shows with decent ear protection. Two reasons:
1) People refuse to shut the hell up if the music is below a certain volume level. I’m not sure why the movie theatre has a monopoly on silencing folks, but I don’t go to a concert to listen to people talk about their jobs.
2) Sound at a certain volume possesses physicality, The first time I saw Mogwai live my pants were blown back in the sonic wind. Absolutely amazing.
Loud show + good plugs = happy
Why don’t clubs etc. just TURN DOWN the music in the first place so it is within legal non-damaging limits?!
Because then the 300 people in the club would not buy 25$ ear protection each? 🙂
Disclosure: I prefer going to concerts and listen to actual musicians, and I’ve never really liked going “clubbing”. You’ll usually find me in bars, music festivals and arena concerts, or smaller music venues.
Always with my set of earplugs, of course. I usually don’t need them in classical or jazz gigs, for instance, but definitely for rock concerts and the like.
Interestingly enough, I’ve been to heavy metal gigs where the volume was not as punishing as what you can find in raves.
Also, the last few times I was dragged into a club by friends, I actually ran into some places where they sold or offered earplugs at the door – either way, it’s completely moronic.
The main reason dance music clubs turn the noise up is economic: If
the volume is bearable, people end up actually talking to each other. When they’re talking and socializing, they drink a lot less.
If they can’t talk to each other, they’ll just carry on drinking ridiculously priced beers and cokctails. And to make them drink even more, the music usually has to be ear-shattering loud, with strong, repetitive beats and
artificially uplifting looping melodies (i.e. EDM).
The volume in these places *always* causes long-term or permanent damage to people who don’t protect their ears – and sometimes even ear plugs can’t save you from damage.
I consider this a major public health crime and over half of the clubs in major cities should be closed down for that reason alone. They won’t, of course, because the business is too big.
This is itself an interesting thread. It’d be worth pitting club owners versus hearing doctors to work out — what is dangerous? What would it sound like if clubs played at reasonable volumes?
According to a few doctors (ear specialists) I talked to over the years, anything above 100db is dangerous.
So that includes most clubs / discos.
If clubs played at reasonable volumes, they would probably be making a lot less money for the reasons I explained above.
Also, large crowds would sometimes drown out the music, which in some cases could actually be a blessing.
Mind you, rock music festivals and arena concerts would also suffer – without current volume levels, they would probably not be able to hold crowds of 100,000 people, although that depends on the technology used (directional speakers, long-distance arrays that spread out the sound, etc.)
Right – but then that means if the DUBS *or* these other options give you at least -12dB, you’re back under 100dB and safe again. (Theoretically – I would like to talk to an ear doc about this.)
So, for all the debate, better to wear any of these than none of these – that’s the bottom line.
Oh yeah, absolutely. If these DUBS products fit in most ears (ergonomics is always an issue) then people should definitely get them, no matter what their music venue habits are.
My only suggestion for DUBS (like I wrote in another comment a few minutes ago) would be: producing other varieties of filters, -15db, -20db and so on to fit different needs.
PS – suggestion:
if you find the time, follow up on that idea of pitting ear doctors “against” club owners, with interviews, possibly. That would make for great reading (and would probably count as a public service announcement)
As I understood it, alcohol actually causes the ear to be less sensitive to volume, changing the dynamics of the bones and tendons in your ears (this from a soundman friend). I had always thought that improving alcohol sales by making the volume painfully (literally) loud (thereby encouraging painkiller drinks). However, a spot of googling and there seems to be more to this dynamic than that (whether that was true or not. This was one of many searching “alcohol effect on hearing”
Oops; should have a “clubs were” inserted. And it didn’t look like that link worked. Sorry for the half-coherent post there!
On my last routine ear checkup, my doctor confirmed that alcohol loosens up muscle tension – there are muscles in your outer ears that close up your ear canal when you’re exposed to loud sounds. This means that if you go to clubs AND drink a lot, you are even more exposed to damage.
Which makes the whole way discos and clubs make business even more irresponsible and dangerous.
wow, somebody sure doesnt like loud music… =(. Instead of shutting down a club, please try going somewhere else? Many people love loud music, many people love alcohol (no matter what the audio levels), and there will always be supply and demand.
Yes, I’m an just an annoying old man.
This is a matter of public health and people should know the risks. That is all. Many discos and some arena concerts have volume levels comparable to airplane takeoffs.
There is a difference between “loud music” and “sticking your head into an airplane engine”. You’re welcome to do it, if you want to become deaf and suffer from mind-breaking tinnitus and hyperacusis for the rest of your life. You have a right to make that choice. I have a right to say it’s idiotic.
I honestly prefer extremely loud shows with decent ear protection. Two reasons:
1) People refuse to shut the hell up if the music is below a certain volume level. I’m not sure why the movie theatre has a monopoly on silencing folks, but I don’t go to a concert to listen to people talk about their jobs.
2) Sound at a certain volume possesses physicality, The first time I saw Mogwai live my pants were blown back in the sonic wind. Absolutely amazing.
Loud show + good plugs = happy
Why don’t clubs etc. just TURN DOWN the music in the first place so it is within legal non-damaging limits?!
Because then the 300 people in the club would not buy 25$ ear protection each? 🙂
Disclosure: I prefer going to concerts and listen to actual musicians, and I’ve never really liked going “clubbing”. You’ll usually find me in bars, music festivals and arena concerts, or smaller music venues.
Always with my set of earplugs, of course. I usually don’t need them in classical or jazz gigs, for instance, but definitely for rock concerts and the like.
Interestingly enough, I’ve been to heavy metal gigs where the volume was not as punishing as what you can find in raves.
Also, the last few times I was dragged into a club by friends, I actually ran into some places where they sold or offered earplugs at the door – either way, it’s completely moronic.
The main reason dance music clubs turn the noise up is economic: If
the volume is bearable, people end up actually talking to each other. When they’re talking and socializing, they drink a lot less.
If they can’t talk to each other, they’ll just carry on drinking ridiculously priced beers and cokctails. And to make them drink even more, the music usually has to be ear-shattering loud, with strong, repetitive beats and
artificially uplifting looping melodies (i.e. EDM).
The volume in these places *always* causes long-term or permanent damage to people who don’t protect their ears – and sometimes even ear plugs can’t save you from damage.
I consider this a major public health crime and over half of the clubs in major cities should be closed down for that reason alone. They won’t, of course, because the business is too big.
This is itself an interesting thread. It’d be worth pitting club owners versus hearing doctors to work out — what is dangerous? What would it sound like if clubs played at reasonable volumes?
According to a few doctors (ear specialists) I talked to over the years, anything above 100db is dangerous.
So that includes most clubs / discos.
If clubs played at reasonable volumes, they would probably be making a lot less money for the reasons I explained above.
Also, large crowds would sometimes drown out the music, which in some cases could actually be a blessing.
Mind you, rock music festivals and arena concerts would also suffer – without current volume levels, they would probably not be able to hold crowds of 100,000 people, although that depends on the technology used (directional speakers, long-distance arrays that spread out the sound, etc.)
Right – but then that means if the DUBS *or* these other options give you at least -12dB, you’re back under 100dB and safe again. (Theoretically – I would like to talk to an ear doc about this.)
So, for all the debate, better to wear any of these than none of these – that’s the bottom line.
Oh yeah, absolutely. If these DUBS products fit in most ears (ergonomics is always an issue) then people should definitely get them, no matter what their music venue habits are.
My only suggestion for DUBS (like I wrote in another comment a few minutes ago) would be: producing other varieties of filters, -15db, -20db and so on to fit different needs.
PS – suggestion:
if you find the time, follow up on that idea of pitting ear doctors “against” club owners, with interviews, possibly. That would make for great reading (and would probably count as a public service announcement)
As I understood it, alcohol actually causes the ear to be less sensitive to volume, changing the dynamics of the bones and tendons in your ears (this from a soundman friend). I had always thought that improving alcohol sales by making the volume painfully (literally) loud (thereby encouraging painkiller drinks). However, a spot of googling and there seems to be more to this dynamic than that (whether that was true or not. This was one of many searching “alcohol effect on hearing”
Oops; should have a “clubs were” inserted. And it didn’t look like that link worked. Sorry for the half-coherent post there!
On my last routine ear checkup, my doctor confirmed that alcohol loosens up muscle tension – there are muscles in your outer ears that close up your ear canal when you’re exposed to loud sounds. This means that if you go to clubs AND drink a lot, you are even more exposed to damage.
Which makes the whole way discos and clubs make business even more irresponsible and dangerous.
wow, somebody sure doesnt like loud music… =(. Instead of shutting down a club, please try going somewhere else? Many people love loud music, many people love alcohol (no matter what the audio levels), and there will always be supply and demand.
Yes, I’m an just an annoying old man.
This is a matter of public health and people should know the risks. That is all. Many discos and some arena concerts have volume levels comparable to airplane takeoffs.
There is a difference between “loud music” and “sticking your head into an airplane engine”. You’re welcome to do it, if you want to become deaf and suffer from mind-breaking tinnitus and hyperacusis for the rest of your life. You have a right to make that choice. I have a right to say it’s idiotic.
I honestly prefer extremely loud shows with decent ear protection. Two reasons:
1) People refuse to shut the hell up if the music is below a certain volume level. I’m not sure why the movie theatre has a monopoly on silencing folks, but I don’t go to a concert to listen to people talk about their jobs.
2) Sound at a certain volume possesses physicality, The first time I saw Mogwai live my pants were blown back in the sonic wind. Absolutely amazing.
Loud show + good plugs = happy
These look great, and I’d like them to ship to Australia. Hell, being on a train or walking around the city is probably loud enough – if done for long enough – to damage hearing. But I agree with Brian; why do we insist on such horrendous amplitude levels at concerts, in clubs, and so on? It’s absurd, and completely ruins the experience for me.
These look great, and I’d like them to ship to Australia. Hell, being on a train or walking around the city is probably loud enough – if done for long enough – to damage hearing. But I agree with Brian; why do we insist on such horrendous amplitude levels at concerts, in clubs, and so on? It’s absurd, and completely ruins the experience for me.
These look great, and I’d like them to ship to Australia. Hell, being on a train or walking around the city is probably loud enough – if done for long enough – to damage hearing. But I agree with Brian; why do we insist on such horrendous amplitude levels at concerts, in clubs, and so on? It’s absurd, and completely ruins the experience for me.
I’d love to know how these compare with Etymotic earplugs. I like the way they sound good but I find them a bit uncomfortable.
I’d love to know how these compare with Etymotic earplugs. I like the way they sound good but I find them a bit uncomfortable.
I’d love to know how these compare with Etymotic earplugs. I like the way they sound good but I find them a bit uncomfortable.
Thanks, Peter, for a post on a most important matter that will no doubt stir up some controversy. What people reading this need to do is get themselves educated because already there are misleading or even just dumb comments. Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever. Very loud music exposure for short periods may be preferable to moderate levels for longer. Check out “integrated noise dose”. It’s also a fact that though lower frequencies have far more energy, we are also a lot more resistant to them, since the ear is not sensitive to bass. Besides which, we hear bass more through the whole body, so expecting a bit of plastic in your ears to attenuate a techno kick drum is ridiculous. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BINS. Or simply stand at the bar… it’s often more fun there, anyway. If the club is too loud, leave. There is no good reason to be there.
“Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive
impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level
noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to
extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever.”
I agree.
I’m a truck driver. All my years as a bar band musician didn’t leave their mark on me like 12 years of driving poorly built trucks that let an average of 105 dB (up to a peak of 116) of road and wind noise into the cab. This is based on a decibel meter I bought at Radio Shack – it might not 100% accurate, but it does make the point that my ears eventually started ringing for a reason. I’ve been meaning to investigate some kind of hearing protection that doesn’t silence the important things I need to hear while driving, so I’m going to give these a try.
Thanks, Peter, for a post on a most important matter that will no doubt stir up some controversy. What people reading this need to do is get themselves educated because already there are misleading or even just dumb comments. Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever. Very loud music exposure for short periods may be preferable to moderate levels for longer. Check out “integrated noise dose”. It’s also a fact that though lower frequencies have far more energy, we are also a lot more resistant to them, since the ear is not sensitive to bass. Besides which, we hear bass more through the whole body, so expecting a bit of plastic in your ears to attenuate a techno kick drum is ridiculous. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BINS. Or simply stand at the bar… it’s often more fun there, anyway. If the club is too loud, leave. There is no good reason to be there.
“Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive
impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level
noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to
extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever.”
I agree.
I’m a truck driver. All my years as a bar band musician didn’t leave their mark on me like 12 years of driving poorly built trucks that let an average of 105 dB (up to a peak of 116) of road and wind noise into the cab. This is based on a decibel meter I bought at Radio Shack – it might not 100% accurate, but it does make the point that my ears eventually started ringing for a reason. I’ve been meaning to investigate some kind of hearing protection that doesn’t silence the important things I need to hear while driving, so I’m going to give these a try.
Thanks, Peter, for a post on a most important matter that will no doubt stir up some controversy. What people reading this need to do is get themselves educated because already there are misleading or even just dumb comments. Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever. Very loud music exposure for short periods may be preferable to moderate levels for longer. Check out “integrated noise dose”. It’s also a fact that though lower frequencies have far more energy, we are also a lot more resistant to them, since the ear is not sensitive to bass. Besides which, we hear bass more through the whole body, so expecting a bit of plastic in your ears to attenuate a techno kick drum is ridiculous. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BINS. Or simply stand at the bar… it’s often more fun there, anyway. If the club is too loud, leave. There is no good reason to be there.
“Sound levels damage hearing in different ways, from the explosive
impulse that can rip through your eardums to insistent medium-level
noise that can damage you over time. You do not need to be listening to
extraordinarily loud music to ruin your ears forever.”
I agree.
I’m a truck driver. All my years as a bar band musician didn’t leave their mark on me like 12 years of driving poorly built trucks that let an average of 105 dB (up to a peak of 116) of road and wind noise into the cab. This is based on a decibel meter I bought at Radio Shack – it might not 100% accurate, but it does make the point that my ears eventually started ringing for a reason. I’ve been meaning to investigate some kind of hearing protection that doesn’t silence the important things I need to hear while driving, so I’m going to give these a try.
http://www.proplugs.com/ less expensive…had the same effect, i thought they weren’t working or had fallen out until checked/pulled one out and realized the difference they made.
Interesting. Yes, I was hoping folks would chime in with other ideas… and I’d never heard of these. Will see if I can get some reasonably shipped somewhere from Europe and compare.
These look like the frequency response may be different, though otherwise mainly the same principle in a different package? I’ll A/B them.
http://www.proplugs.com/ less expensive…had the same effect, i thought they weren’t working or had fallen out until checked/pulled one out and realized the difference they made.
Interesting. Yes, I was hoping folks would chime in with other ideas… and I’d never heard of these. Will see if I can get some reasonably shipped somewhere from Europe and compare.
These look like the frequency response may be different, though otherwise mainly the same principle in a different package? I’ll A/B them.
http://www.proplugs.com/ less expensive…had the same effect, i thought they weren’t working or had fallen out until checked/pulled one out and realized the difference they made.
Interesting. Yes, I was hoping folks would chime in with other ideas… and I’d never heard of these. Will see if I can get some reasonably shipped somewhere from Europe and compare.
These look like the frequency response may be different, though otherwise mainly the same principle in a different package? I’ll A/B them.
Although it’s quite possible that these are fantastic I can’t help but feel this article is an ad. Noise attenuating ear plugs have been available through Hearing Clinics for years and years (ask professional musicians) and are usually about the same price. I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.
If you are serious about getting noise attenuating ear plugs a Hearing Clinic can help you get earplugs that fit perfectly by making a mould of your ear canal and likely providing a few different levels of attenuation, as well. Not really all that pricey and well worth if you think you’d want to wear something like these regularly.
Absolutely, *but* —
” I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.”
Exactly. This is a non-trivial issue.
Yes – in the long run I think you always end up going to a clinic for custom made earplugs, but these are a good last minute option if you’re in a rush.
Unfortunately the pro customized ear plugs are too expensive for something that i’m bound to loose sooner than later, so i’m defenitely opting for this cheap commercial solution for 25 bucks.
Although it’s quite possible that these are fantastic I can’t help but feel this article is an ad. Noise attenuating ear plugs have been available through Hearing Clinics for years and years (ask professional musicians) and are usually about the same price. I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.
If you are serious about getting noise attenuating ear plugs a Hearing Clinic can help you get earplugs that fit perfectly by making a mould of your ear canal and likely providing a few different levels of attenuation, as well. Not really all that pricey and well worth if you think you’d want to wear something like these regularly.
Absolutely, *but* —
” I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.”
Exactly. This is a non-trivial issue.
Yes – in the long run I think you always end up going to a clinic for custom made earplugs, but these are a good last minute option if you’re in a rush.
Unfortunately the pro customized ear plugs are too expensive for something that i’m bound to loose sooner than later, so i’m defenitely opting for this cheap commercial solution for 25 bucks.
Although it’s quite possible that these are fantastic I can’t help but feel this article is an ad. Noise attenuating ear plugs have been available through Hearing Clinics for years and years (ask professional musicians) and are usually about the same price. I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.
If you are serious about getting noise attenuating ear plugs a Hearing Clinic can help you get earplugs that fit perfectly by making a mould of your ear canal and likely providing a few different levels of attenuation, as well. Not really all that pricey and well worth if you think you’d want to wear something like these regularly.
Absolutely, *but* —
” I guess it’s a bonus that these are available from commecial stores as you may need to pick on up on the fly.”
Exactly. This is a non-trivial issue.
Yes – in the long run I think you always end up going to a clinic for custom made earplugs, but these are a good last minute option if you’re in a rush.
Unfortunately the pro customized ear plugs are too expensive for something that i’m bound to loose sooner than later, so i’m defenitely opting for this cheap commercial solution for 25 bucks.
I’m getting some. If only I can remember to bring them to the next show. I’ve already experienced some minor tinnitus and don’t want it to get worse. I play in a church band with in ear monitors and have had to really work hard to turn it down there as well.
I’m getting some. If only I can remember to bring them to the next show. I’ve already experienced some minor tinnitus and don’t want it to get worse. I play in a church band with in ear monitors and have had to really work hard to turn it down there as well.
I’m getting some. If only I can remember to bring them to the next show. I’ve already experienced some minor tinnitus and don’t want it to get worse. I play in a church band with in ear monitors and have had to really work hard to turn it down there as well.
happy new ear!
happy new ear!
happy new ear!
Nonreturnable, not comfortable, not enough attenuation, not flat and expensive. That’s how I would summarize this product. I agree that hearos are more comfortable and have better attenuation and the etymotics are flatter filter wise.
These others are returnable?
I’m definitely giving the Etymotics a try. I found these really comfortable and did not find the Hearos to be that way – but then, humans all have very different ear canals, so I’d expect this to be variable!
That does mean whether you can return them or not would matter, I agree; I just don’t know all the return policies.
Their return policy is kind of misleading http://www.getdubs.com/pages/faq which leads to http://www.getdubs.com/pages/returns which is not actually a return, but a replacement policy.
So they say basically, “Yeah you can return them, but if you return them we are only sending you another pair – and not refunding your money.” Had I known about their return policy, I would have have tracked a pair down at Best Buy which has a real return policy.
Nonreturnable, not comfortable, not enough attenuation, not flat and expensive. That’s how I would summarize this product. I agree that hearos are more comfortable and have better attenuation and the etymotics are flatter filter wise.
These others are returnable?
I’m definitely giving the Etymotics a try. I found these really comfortable and did not find the Hearos to be that way – but then, humans all have very different ear canals, so I’d expect this to be variable!
That does mean whether you can return them or not would matter, I agree; I just don’t know all the return policies.
Their return policy is kind of misleading http://www.getdubs.com/pages/faq which leads to http://www.getdubs.com/pages/returns which is not actually a return, but an ***exchange*** policy.
So they say basically, “Yeah you can return them, but if you return them we are only sending you another pair – and not refunding your money.” It’s Had I known about their return policy, I would have have tracked a pair down at Best Buy which has a real return policy.
Nonreturnable, not comfortable, not enough attenuation, not flat and expensive. That’s how I would summarize this product. I agree that hearos are more comfortable and have better attenuation and the etymotics are flatter filter wise.
These others are returnable?
I’m definitely giving the Etymotics a try. I found these really comfortable and did not find the Hearos to be that way – but then, humans all have very different ear canals, so I’d expect this to be variable!
That does mean whether you can return them or not would matter, I agree; I just don’t know all the return policies.
Their return policy is kind of misleading http://www.getdubs.com/pages/faq which leads to http://www.getdubs.com/pages/returns which is not actually a return, but an ***exchange*** policy.
So they say basically, “Yeah you can return them, but if you return them we are only sending you another pair – and not refunding your money.” It’s Had I known about their return policy, I would have have tracked a pair down at Best Buy which has a real return policy.
I’ve tried Elacin musician earplugs – the filters are good, you get a -20db noise reduction with an almost flat curve – which means you can work with them on. But they are not very ergonomic for people with small ear canals, plus, they stick out of your ear.
These DUBS filters are probably the same in terms of quality, which is good, but I fear there are always issues for people like myself who have non-standard ear canal sizes (too large or too small). I ended up having to resort to custom-made earplugs (expensive, but comfortable), although I still keep the other earplugs around as spares.
I do think they should sell other types of filter, sometimes -12db is not enough.
Anyway, If you do have standard shaped ears (whatever that may be), I would say go for it. Test them out in a club or concert environment, they’re cheap enough.
I’ve tried Elacin musician earplugs – the filters are good, you get a -20db noise reduction with an almost flat curve – which means you can work with them on. But they are not very ergonomic for people with small ear canals, plus, they stick out of your ear.
These DUBS filters are probably the same in terms of quality, which is good, but I fear there are always issues for people like myself who have non-standard ear canal sizes (too large or too small). I ended up having to resort to custom-made earplugs (expensive, but comfortable), although I still keep the Elacin earplugs around as spares.
I do think they should sell other types of filter, sometimes -12db is not enough.
Anyway, If you do have standard shaped ears (whatever that may be), I would say go for it. Test them out in a club or concert environment, they’re cheap enough.
I’ve tried Elacin musician earplugs – the filters are good, you get a -20db noise reduction with an almost flat curve – which means you can work with them on. But they are not very ergonomic for people with small ear canals, plus, they stick out of your ear.
These DUBS filters are probably the same in terms of quality, which is good, but I fear there are always issues for people like myself who have non-standard ear canal sizes (too large or too small). I ended up having to resort to custom-made earplugs (expensive, but comfortable), although I still keep the Elacin earplugs around as spares.
I do think they should sell other types of filter, sometimes -12db is not enough.
Anyway, If you do have standard shaped ears (whatever that may be), I would say go for it. Test them out in a club or concert environment, they’re cheap enough.
These earplugs are not made for music. Like Ryan says below, lots of marketing but not an actual tech review. Dubs do not supply a response curve to prove the audio quality. Why? Because consumers would learn that they are not high fidelity earplugs. There is no attenuation in the lows and 35 +dB in the highs. Low frequencies damage just as much as high frequencies.
12NRR is a government required label that doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s an average of the actual attenuation on the response curve plus and minus standard deviations.
Peter, I have been a hearing protection advocate for more than 11 years and run my own earplug company, Earlove.net. I am happy that hearing protection is finally getting it’s due and if Dubs were a good product, many people would be on their way to better hearing health and less Tinnitus. But the product doesn’t do what they say they do. Doppler has a lot of money and what seems like a total disregard for their customers health and well being. And so many journalists and bloggers have been mislead by a slick press release and great images.
I am very passionate about hearing protection and have made it my life’s work. I previously worked at Etymotic Research and have given talks and lectures across the country about the topic. I’m hosting a panel discussion at SXSW on the topic. I have managed a club, I work for a band and perform in my own group. I am a music consumer and DJ. I am happy to share knowledge about what I know for future articles about hearing protection.
Okay, the lack of low attenuation is troubling … I’ll contact you directly.
These earplugs are not made for music. Like Ryan says below, lots of marketing but not an actual tech review. Dubs do not supply a response curve to prove the audio quality. Why? Because consumers would learn that they are not high fidelity earplugs. There is no attenuation in the lows and 35 +dB in the highs. Low frequencies damage just as much as high frequencies.
12NRR is a government required label that doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s an average of the actual attenuation on the response curve plus and minus standard deviations.
Peter, I have been a hearing protection advocate for more than 11 years and run my own earplug company, Earlove.net. I am happy that hearing protection is finally getting it’s due and if Dubs were a good product, many people would be on their way to better hearing health and less Tinnitus. But the product doesn’t do what they say they do. Doppler has a lot of money and what seems like a total disregard for their customers health and well being. And so many journalists and bloggers have been mislead by a slick press release and great images.
I am very passionate about hearing protection and have made it my life’s work. I previously worked at Etymotic Research and have given talks and lectures across the country about the topic. I’m hosting a panel discussion at SXSW on the topic. I have managed a club, I work for a band and perform in my own group. I am a music consumer and DJ. I am happy to share knowledge about what I know for future articles about hearing protection.
Okay, the lack of low attenuation is troubling … I’ll contact you directly.
These earplugs are not made for music. Like Ryan says below, lots of marketing but not an actual tech review. Dubs do not supply a response curve to prove the audio quality. Why? Because consumers would learn that they are not high fidelity earplugs. There is no attenuation in the lows and 35 +dB in the highs. Low frequencies damage just as much as high frequencies.
12NRR is a government required label that doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s an average of the actual attenuation on the response curve plus and minus standard deviations.
Peter, I have been a hearing protection advocate for more than 11 years and run my own earplug company, Earlove.net. I am happy that hearing protection is finally getting it’s due and if Dubs were a good product, many people would be on their way to better hearing health and less Tinnitus. But the product doesn’t do what they say they do. Doppler has a lot of money and what seems like a total disregard for their customers health and well being. And so many journalists and bloggers have been mislead by a slick press release and great images.
I am very passionate about hearing protection and have made it my life’s work. I previously worked at Etymotic Research and have given talks and lectures across the country about the topic. I’m hosting a panel discussion at SXSW on the topic. I have managed a club, I work for a band and perform in my own group. I am a music consumer and DJ. I am happy to share knowledge about what I know for future articles about hearing protection.
Okay, the lack of low attenuation is troubling … I’ll contact you directly.
I picked up a pair of these (this past weekend) after reading your review, Peter. I have to say I’m impressed as well. While others drop the levels more, these were good enough for me. I like the way they fit – I’m not worried about them falling out when I’m bouncing around. I used them with 400 screaming kids this afternoon and they worked very well.
I picked up a pair of these (this past weekend) after reading your review, Peter. I have to say I’m impressed as well. While others drop the levels more, these were good enough for me. I like the way they fit – I’m not worried about them falling out when I’m bouncing around. I used them with 400 screaming kids this afternoon and they worked very well.
I picked up a pair of these (this past weekend) after reading your review, Peter. I have to say I’m impressed as well. While others drop the levels more, these were good enough for me. I like the way they fit – I’m not worried about them falling out when I’m bouncing around. I used them with 400 screaming kids this afternoon and they worked very well.
OK guys.
Does anybody know how I can get these in the UK?
Thanks
Seems they’re shipping direct now to the EU – so you’re covered. Just follow the direct ordering links. (But they’re shipping from here, so – no import duty, etc.)
Hi Peter. I just tried to order direct from their site and it seems that they are shipping to just about every major European country apart from the UK. That’s a shame. Do you know of anywhere that would ship to the UK?
I picked up some dubs yesterday, just thought I’d share my thoughts on them for anyone still reading the comments here. Went and heard some techno and a band last night. My impression at the time was favorable. When I got home, though, I had some minor ringing which I have never had when wearing other earplugs to the same venues. In retrospect the good impression was mostly because they were not cutting enough.
I compared them to my hearos (the hifi ones) today with my stereo turned up a bit. The hearos sound flatter to me. The dubs cut noticably more highs and let though more bass.
I also find the dubs to be a bit uncomfortable, whereas I don’t really notice the hearos once they are in.
So overall, I can’t really recommend the dubs except as a better-than-nothing option for people who refuse to wear heros/etys for reasons of appearance.
I seem to have lost my etys so I was not able to compare those directly. In any case I’ve previously found them to be similar enough to the hearos that I guess the hearos are just rebranded etys.
I picked up some dubs yesterday, just thought I’d share my thoughts on them for anyone still reading the comments here. Went and heard some techno and a band last night. My impression at the time was favorable. When I got home, though, I had some minor ringing which I have never had when wearing other earplugs to the same venues. In retrospect the good impression was mostly because they were not cutting enough.
I compared them to my hearos (the hifi ones) today with my stereo turned up a bit. The hearos sound flatter to me. The dubs cut noticably more highs and let though more bass.
I also find the dubs to be a bit uncomfortable, whereas I don’t really notice the hearos once they are in.
So overall, I can’t really recommend the dubs except as a better-than-nothing option for people who refuse to wear heros/etys for reasons of appearance.
I seem to have lost my etys so I was not able to compare those directly. In any case I’ve previously found them to be similar enough to the hearos that I guess the hearos are just rebranded etys.
I picked up some dubs yesterday, just thought I’d share my thoughts on them for anyone still reading the comments here. Went and heard some techno and a band last night. My impression at the time was favorable. When I got home, though, I had some minor ringing which I have never had when wearing other earplugs to the same venues. In retrospect the good impression was mostly because they were not cutting enough.
I compared them to my hearos (the hifi ones) today with my stereo turned up a bit. The hearos sound flatter to me. The dubs cut noticably more highs and let though more bass.
I also find the dubs to be a bit uncomfortable, whereas I don’t really notice the hearos once they are in.
So overall, I can’t really recommend the dubs except as a better-than-nothing option for people who refuse to wear heros/etys for reasons of appearance.
I seem to have lost my etys so I was not able to compare those directly. In any case I’ve previously found them to be similar enough to the hearos that I guess the hearos are just rebranded etys.
The delivery date was a day late and I missed using this product at the concert I was intending to use them at.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
The delivery date was a day late and I missed using this product at the concert I was intending to use them at.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
The delivery date was a day late and I missed using this product at the concert I was intending to use them at.
Beyond that, the product once received is very poor. The devices are so small that they do not fit my ears and I had to place them so far into my ear to get a closure that they got stuck and I had to have help getting them out.
I simply cannot believe that your team would ship a product knowing the vast majority of the population does not have petite elf ears that your devices do not properly fit.
The whole idea behind your product is to block sound and to do so you MUST have a proper fit.
I am sorry to say these DUBS without proper fit are worthless and dangerous as the black end piece came off inside my ear and had to be removed with hemostats.
Disappointed to say the least.
I’m a music lover, musician, and occasional DJ. I’m also on the Autism scale and one of its expressions is in my ears being overly sensitive. I have two sets of earplugs on my keychain that is with me at all times. Recenlty I’ve been very happy with the earplugs I bought from http://www.earasers.net/ I’ve used them in several musical settings, even when performing, and have been very happy with the results.
I’m a music lover, musician, and occasional DJ. I’m also on the Autism scale and one of its expressions is in my ears being overly sensitive. I have two sets of earplugs on my keychain that are with me at all times. Recenlty I’ve been very happy with the earplugs I bought from http://www.earasers.net/ I’ve used them in several musical settings, even when performing, and have been very happy with the results. I think I paid around $50 USD for them, but they were well worth it.
I’m a music lover, musician, and occasional DJ. I’m also on the Autism scale and one of its expressions is in my ears being overly sensitive. I have two sets of earplugs on my keychain that are with me at all times. Recenlty I’ve been very happy with the earplugs I bought from http://www.earasers.net/ I’ve used them in several musical settings, even when performing, and have been very happy with the results. I think I paid around $50 USD for them, but they were well worth it.
You’re on the right track by going to Etymotic Research for high-fidelity hearing protection: I have been dealing with them since 1985 for a wide variety of their audiologic products; and I heartily recommend anything Dr K’s company makes. However, I would recommend a custom molded pair of ER-9, ER-15 or ER-25 Musician’s Earplugs; and in fact you can interchange the 9, 15 & 25dB attenuator filters. I have dispensed a number of them over the years, including to the late Teddy Pendergrass, as well as members of Kansas and Boyz ][ Men
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/erme.html
While you’re at it, see “Clinical Verification of Custom-Fitted Musicians’ Earplugs” by my colleague Brian Fligor ScD:
http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/clinical-verification-custom-fitted-musicians-11373
Dan Schwartz,
Editor, The Hearing Blog
You’re on the right track by going to Etymotic Research for high-fidelity hearing protection: I have been dealing with them since 1985 for a wide variety of their audiologic products; and I heartily recommend anything Dr K’s company makes. However, I would recommend a custom molded pair of ER-9, ER-15 or ER-25 Musician’s Earplugs; and in fact you can interchange the 9, 15 & 25dB attenuator filters. I have dispensed a number of them over the years, including to the late Teddy Pendergrass, as well as members of Kansas and Boyz ][ Men
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/erme.html
While you’re at it, see “Clinical Verification of Custom-Fitted Musicians’ Earplugs” by my colleague Brian Fligor ScD:
http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/clinical-verification-custom-fitted-musicians-11373
Dan Schwartz,
Editor, The Hearing Blog
You’re on the right track by going to Etymotic Research for high-fidelity hearing protection: I have been dealing with them since 1985 for a wide variety of their audiologic products; and I heartily recommend anything Dr K’s company makes. However, I would recommend a custom molded pair of ER-9, ER-15 or ER-25 Musician’s Earplugs; and in fact you can interchange the 9, 15 & 25dB attenuator filters. I have dispensed a number of them over the years, including to the late Teddy Pendergrass, as well as members of Kansas and Boyz ][ Men
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/erme.html
While you’re at it, see “Clinical Verification of Custom-Fitted Musicians’ Earplugs” by my colleague Brian Fligor ScD:
http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/clinical-verification-custom-fitted-musicians-11373
Dan Schwartz,
Editor, The Hearing Blog
How can i clean the DUBS???