By Joe Ferronato
If you told me a few years ago that there was ear protection that was comfortable, protected my hearing, and offered superb sound amplification, I’d tell you to stop reading marketing pamphlets and grow up.
But now, after my experience with SoundGear, I am convinced that there is hearing protection out there that really works. I’ve used the Phantom now for several years and have been very happy with the quality. The limiting factor, though, is the stout price tag that the product carries. It’s out of reach for many. SoundGear’s Shield is a solid alternative at a fraction of the cost.
So, what makes these things worth it? Let’s start with the basics of the earbuds. Looking at them, they resemble any traditional in-ear plugs that you would buy at a sporting goods store, but underneath the tri-flange plug is a whole lot of tech.
Pulling the Shield out of the carrying case they came with, I immediately popped the two earbuds in. Just like with any in-ear protection, manipulation of the ear canal is required to get an appropriate fit and seal to block out sound.
After confirming the fit, I turned my attention to the black bulb at the back of each plug. This bulb is a battery compartment and a microphone that enhances ambient sound and silences any damaging noises like gunshots.
I popped the small batteries into each and placed them back into my ears. Immediately, I noticed that there was no annoying gray noise or hum that often occurs when using electronic ear pro—but when someone was talking, the sound was crisp and clear. As someone with years of experience using dozens of iterations of ear pro, I was legitimately surprised and impressed by the sound quality.
Wearing the plugs for several hours, I was happy with the comfort. I have sensitive ears, and they often fatigue when I have plugs in, but after several hours, that same fatigue that I’m used to with foamies wasn’t there.
The plugs have a 26dB noise reduction rating, which is more than sufficient for shooting. For those of you who frequent crowded indoor ranges or shoot magnum calibers with a massive muzzle brake, SoundGear has Foam Buds that easily replace the tri-flange and have a 32dB NRR. You can never be too careful when it comes to your hearing.
One thing to note about these ear buds, and the only flaw that I can point out, is that the sound enhancement is always on, there is no off switch. I assume this is to keep the product as low profile as possible. Though each battery offers approximately 140 hours of run time, that time runs out quickly between range sessions. Luckily, it’s easy to remove and replace the small batteries when using the devices. When not in use, the carrying case has storage for the batteries plus an extra set.
This ear pro now lives in my range bag. Try some for yourself, and I’m sure you’ll be headed to your next range day with them in tow.
Cost: $400
Pros: Comfortable; lightweight; low profile; excellent enhanced sound quality
Cons: Though easy to do, having to remove the batteries each time can be a hassle
