http://www.moundalexis.com/tm/2007/04/29/movin-on-2007-at-psu/ Rants and musings, without care for substance. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:59:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://www.moundalexis.com/tm/2007/04/29/movin-on-2007-at-psu/#comment-6031 Third Eye Blind at College Park » Technology & MSG » Blog Archive Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:03:55 +0000 http://www.moundalexis.com/tm/2007/04/29/movin-on-2007-at-psu/#comment-6031 [...] I also got the chance to put a pair of Etymotic Research’s ER-20 earplugs to the test. Earplugs are a must when working or attending a concert venue. An average concert-grade audio rig will operate at levels well above safe levels (100-115 dB) and many near the pain threshold (such as Phatom Planet at Movin’ On 2007, which at peak level was running 130 dB). The biggest complaint is that the mix sounds crappy with plugs in. Not so anymore. Bear in mind, these aren’t foam throwaways. The marketing materials for the ER-20’s claimed that the plugs “reduce all sound 20 dB evenly across the frequency range” and that “speech and music [should] stay clear, just quieter, like turning down the volume.” After wearing them comfortably for a few hours, I can vouch that they do in fact sound amazing. High and mid-range was still completely audible; lows were a little bit muffled, but that’s going to happen when you stick anything solid (no matter how flexible) in your ear canal. At about $12 a pair, they’re a bargain at double the price. [...] [...] I also got the chance to put a pair of Etymotic Research’s ER-20 earplugs to the test. Earplugs are a must when working or attending a concert venue. An average concert-grade audio rig will operate at levels well above safe levels (100-115 dB) and many near the pain threshold (such as Phatom Planet at Movin’ On 2007, which at peak level was running 130 dB). The biggest complaint is that the mix sounds crappy with plugs in. Not so anymore. Bear in mind, these aren’t foam throwaways. The marketing materials for the ER-20’s claimed that the plugs “reduce all sound 20 dB evenly across the frequency range” and that “speech and music [should] stay clear, just quieter, like turning down the volume.” After wearing them comfortably for a few hours, I can vouch that they do in fact sound amazing. High and mid-range was still completely audible; lows were a little bit muffled, but that’s going to happen when you stick anything solid (no matter how flexible) in your ear canal. At about $12 a pair, they’re a bargain at double the price. [...]

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