Thanks. Very creative video. Was really hoping to see a better turnout for the EarPeace's but TBH $70ish for custom molded set is pretty reasonable these days... Not sure if im ready to go all in on customs yet but would love to get some feedback re: on bike sound / ride experience w diff sets of plugs. My new RPHA-11 is awesome, but for some reason creates a loud buffeting sound in my left ear (even w my new Cardo Slim comm.) So far my work plugs 3M & foam etc. just seem to block out too much (music, comms, etc).Debating bt EP's & Alpines but ooks like I'lll prob go w the ALpines cuz Earpeace just has Waayyy too many diff. versions & like 50/50 rider feedback overall. Thanks again & lmk if you've got any more tests / vids i should check out. ✌
Hi Brian, Thanks for the comments. The buffetting could be caused by anything. Totally agree, 3M foam's are great, but they do block out too much noise IMO. If you ride frequently, ie commute on the bike, then honestly, I can highly recommend some custom fit plugs. Have a look at the 'kit review' playlist
MCrider did a review on earplugs. He rated Decibullz the best. They are custom, but you mould them yourself and they can be remoulded too. £30 on Amazon. Haven’t tried them yet, but intend to buy some.
Hi Mcrider, thanks for watching and your comment. I can't comment on 'Decibullz' as I've not tried them. Personally, it's up to the individual which type of ear plugs they use, but I do recommend some form of ear protection to prevent hearing loss later in life as well as to help fight off fatigue during a long ride.
Personally I have never got on with my custom moulded protectors - they are not easy to seat correctly and never feel that comfortable. I prefer my Earpeace protectors as they seem to seat more easily and I have no discomfort wearing them. Subjectively they seem to block as much noise as the custom fit, but even if they don't they are more effective in the long run because I'm far more likely to wear them!
Fortunately ones head is not behind the exhaust pipe! I think you've showed that custom fit are no better than foam in terms of sound attenuation - maybe more comfortable. Personally I find a big difference between wearing a helmet with a more open chin bar makes a huge difference (ie its louder, than one with a closer fitting collar on it). There are a lot of discomforts on a long distance bike ride (airflow important in the heat for example - but sound travels through air, etc.) You trade one against another as circumstances determine, but plugs are must if you don't want to damage your hearing.
Absolutely agree, personally the pro's for any custom molded ear plugs are a perfect fit every time where as with foam's I have found I have to reseat them now and then. The choice of helmet is a major factor in noise as is the type/style of screen fitted to the bike (if it has one). Most of my helmets have the option of a chin collar, but I tend to not use them as a glasses wearer, the collar reduces airflow which can increase misting up of my spec's.
@@robchisholm72 Another thing to mention is the foam plugs will most likely have better high frequency attenuation than the Molded ones aswell as low frequency.
You forgot to baseline your experiment without any ear protection. For all we know the earplugs may not make any difference at all because we don't know the baseline decibel levels without the protection
Hi Gilvan Souza, thanks for watching and your comment. The purpose of this video is compairing the different types of ear protection. Anybody that's ridden for any length of time will know some form of ear protection is better than none. I leave the choice to the viewer if they wish to protect their hearing and reduce fatigue on long rides or not.
Nice review Bob. Just back to biking after a 16 year gap and wind noise is really bothering me. It’s funny I was biking from 16 until my thirties originally without ever using ear plugs wearing all manner of crap lids including full face, open face and motorcross style and can never remember being bothered by it at all. Now it’s really affecting my enjoyment of the ride. I even changed my lid to one that had great reviews for noise reduction and while that it’s true generally, I still get the bloody wind noise! I’ve tried foamies but they block out so much I can hardly hear the bike. Funnily enough after recommendations I’ve just ordered the Earpeace ones, but after seeing your review I’m not hopeful. I can see me going down the custom route, but can’t seem to find anyone local to Plymouth who can do the moulds. Perhaps I’ve gone soft after too many miles in the car!
Thanks for your comments Tim. It's interesting how as we get older, I'm 47, we seem to become more consious of stuff like noise. To be fair, I've always worn some form of hearing protection, initially it was the foamies, like most of us. Then I stumbled across the custome ear plugs (Ultimatear at that time) while at the NEC Bike show. I'm now on my 3rd set of custom plugs, and have found the CFG plugs to be spot on for me. You may find the Earpeace ones work for you, and I hope they do, but I wasn't impressed. Not only does your helmet play a big factor but your windscreen (if fitted) does as well. I'm a firm believer that you're not only protecting your hearing for later life, but also, you'll not suffer from fatigue on the bike as quickly, which in turn means you'll enjoy your ride for longer, and be more alert. May I suggest you check out this video customfitguards.com/pages/how-to-purchase (the service that comes to your door) or contact Richard at CFG ( customfitguards.com/pages/contact-us ). For the record, I don't get any kick back from CFG should you decide to purchase from them. I just think they are currently the best custom ear plugs on the UK market.
@@robchisholm72 Thanks Bob, really appreciate the advice and will definitely check out the CFG ones. Got the Earpeace ones today and they appear to fit well, so once it stops chucking it down outside I'll give them a go! Cheers Tim
Hi, thanks for your comment. Actually, it does protect your ears, try using the foam ones and see for yourself. If you've been on a long ride and can hear 'noise' after the ride, that is damage to your hearing, and over time this will increase the risk of hearing loss. Sound measurement is not linear, like time and distance, it's a logarithmic scale, so it's measured on an order of magnitude. 83db is the same amount of 'sound' as a flushing toilet. While out riding, you're ears will more than likely be exposed to around 100 - 120db, that's like standing at the end of a runway when a jet aircraft takes off. In a previous career, my very job depended on my hearing, and I still pretect my hearing using the Custom Fit Guards on every ride, if I should lose one of them, I have a pear of foam plugs as back up.
Your hearing can “tolerate”sound of 85dB for around 8 hours without damage. Sound of over 100dB does damage in as little as 10 minutes ! Therefore if you are reducing sound with these by Around 30dB you are making a massive difference to your hearing
Thanks. Very creative video. Was really hoping to see a better turnout for the EarPeace's but TBH $70ish for custom molded set is pretty reasonable these days... Not sure if im ready to go all in on customs yet but would love to get some feedback re: on bike sound / ride experience w diff sets of plugs.
My new RPHA-11 is awesome, but for some reason creates a loud buffeting sound in my left ear (even w my new Cardo Slim comm.) So far my work plugs 3M & foam etc. just seem to block out too much (music, comms, etc).Debating bt EP's & Alpines but ooks like I'lll prob go w the ALpines cuz Earpeace just has Waayyy too many diff. versions & like 50/50 rider feedback overall. Thanks again & lmk if you've got any more tests / vids i should check out. ✌
Hi Brian, Thanks for the comments. The buffetting could be caused by anything. Totally agree, 3M foam's are great, but they do block out too much noise IMO. If you ride frequently, ie commute on the bike, then honestly, I can highly recommend some custom fit plugs. Have a look at the 'kit review' playlist
I have the RPHA 70 and I have the same wind buffeting problem on the left ear.. Seems weird
MCrider did a review on earplugs. He rated Decibullz the best. They are custom, but you mould them yourself and they can be remoulded too. £30 on Amazon. Haven’t tried them yet, but intend to buy some.
Hi Mcrider, thanks for watching and your comment. I can't comment on 'Decibullz' as I've not tried them. Personally, it's up to the individual which type of ear plugs they use, but I do recommend some form of ear protection to prevent hearing loss later in life as well as to help fight off fatigue during a long ride.
Personally I have never got on with my custom moulded protectors - they are not easy to seat correctly and never feel that comfortable. I prefer my Earpeace protectors as they seem to seat more easily and I have no discomfort wearing them. Subjectively they seem to block as much noise as the custom fit, but even if they don't they are more effective in the long run because I'm far more likely to wear them!
Hi Rod, good to hear from you. Like so many things in biking, its subjective. Hope to see you soon.
Fortunately ones head is not behind the exhaust pipe! I think you've showed that custom fit are no better than foam in terms of sound attenuation - maybe more comfortable. Personally I find a big difference between wearing a helmet with a more open chin bar makes a huge difference (ie its louder, than one with a closer fitting collar on it). There are a lot of discomforts on a long distance bike ride (airflow important in the heat for example - but sound travels through air, etc.) You trade one against another as circumstances determine, but plugs are must if you don't want to damage your hearing.
Absolutely agree, personally the pro's for any custom molded ear plugs are a perfect fit every time where as with foam's I have found I have to reseat them now and then. The choice of helmet is a major factor in noise as is the type/style of screen fitted to the bike (if it has one). Most of my helmets have the option of a chin collar, but I tend to not use them as a glasses wearer, the collar reduces airflow which can increase misting up of my spec's.
@@robchisholm72 Another thing to mention is the foam plugs will most likely have better high frequency attenuation than the Molded ones aswell as low frequency.
@@george1906 I think this is subjective to the individuals hearing. Regardless of which ear protection used, something is better than nothing.
What was the DB level with no plug in the mould?
It was around 110Db
@@robchisholm72 thanks always good to know the base figure. Nice wee test
You forgot to baseline your experiment without any ear protection. For all we know the earplugs may not make any difference at all because we don't know the baseline decibel levels without the protection
Hi Gilvan Souza, thanks for watching and your comment. The purpose of this video is compairing the different types of ear protection. Anybody that's ridden for any length of time will know some form of ear protection is better than none. I leave the choice to the viewer if they wish to protect their hearing and reduce fatigue on long rides or not.
Nice review Bob. Just back to biking after a 16 year gap and wind noise is really bothering me. It’s funny I was biking from 16 until my thirties originally without ever using ear plugs wearing all manner of crap lids including full face, open face and motorcross style and can never remember being bothered by it at all. Now it’s really affecting my enjoyment of the ride. I even changed my lid to one that had great reviews for noise reduction and while that it’s true generally, I still get the bloody wind noise! I’ve tried foamies but they block out so much I can hardly hear the bike. Funnily enough after recommendations I’ve just ordered the Earpeace ones, but after seeing your review I’m not hopeful. I can see me going down the custom route, but can’t seem to find anyone local to Plymouth who can do the moulds. Perhaps I’ve gone soft after too many miles in the car!
Thanks for your comments Tim. It's interesting how as we get older, I'm 47, we seem to become more consious of stuff like noise. To be fair, I've always worn some form of hearing protection, initially it was the foamies, like most of us. Then I stumbled across the custome ear plugs (Ultimatear at that time) while at the NEC Bike show.
I'm now on my 3rd set of custom plugs, and have found the CFG plugs to be spot on for me. You may find the Earpeace ones work for you, and I hope they do, but I wasn't impressed. Not only does your helmet play a big factor but your windscreen (if fitted) does as well. I'm a firm believer that you're not only protecting your hearing for later life, but also, you'll not suffer from fatigue on the bike as quickly, which in turn means you'll enjoy your ride for longer, and be more alert.
May I suggest you check out this video customfitguards.com/pages/how-to-purchase (the service that comes to your door) or contact Richard at CFG ( customfitguards.com/pages/contact-us ).
For the record, I don't get any kick back from CFG should you decide to purchase from them. I just think they are currently the best custom ear plugs on the UK market.
@@robchisholm72 Thanks Bob, really appreciate the advice and will definitely check out the CFG ones. Got the Earpeace ones today and they appear to fit well, so once it stops chucking it down outside I'll give them a go! Cheers Tim
Thanks again Tim, ride safe n happy to assist. To be fair, that is one of the main reason's I've started this channel.
But all 3 were only reducing to 83/84 db which is not protecting your ears
Hi, thanks for your comment.
Actually, it does protect your ears, try using the foam ones and see for yourself. If you've been on a long ride and can hear 'noise' after the ride, that is damage to your hearing, and over time this will increase the risk of hearing loss.
Sound measurement is not linear, like time and distance, it's a logarithmic scale, so it's measured on an order of magnitude. 83db is the same amount of 'sound' as a flushing toilet. While out riding, you're ears will more than likely be exposed to around 100 - 120db, that's like standing at the end of a runway when a jet aircraft takes off.
In a previous career, my very job depended on my hearing, and I still pretect my hearing using the Custom Fit Guards on every ride, if I should lose one of them, I have a pear of foam plugs as back up.
Your hearing can “tolerate”sound of 85dB for around 8 hours without damage. Sound of over 100dB does damage in as little as 10 minutes ! Therefore if you are reducing sound with these by Around 30dB you are making a massive difference to your hearing