Typically, when I attend live performances, the PA is cranked up to ear-bleed inducing levels. Subsequently, my Ears are ringing for hours after the event.
In readiness for attending the recent Evanescence gig at Birmingham's Utilita Arena, I purchased a pair of
Loop Earplugs that are designed for live performances.
They're inserted into one's Ears like any other EarBud, then rotated upwards to achieve a -17db reduction in external sound. Also provided are two sets of alternative 'mutes' that can be inserted into each Loop Earplugs’ acoustic channel to further reduce the level of external sound. Multiple-sized EarBuds are provided in the box to suit different sized Ears.
They're not intended to completely block external sound but to simply reduce external sound levels. Thus, I was able to fully enjoy the headline act - without the PA Rig’s extreme sound levels drowning the music.
The matching
Loop Link lanyard that I purchased is imperative to avoid losing your Loop Earplugs in a dark concert hall. Cleverly, it has a magnetic clasp so that it doesn't inadvertently slip off your neck when you’re not wearing your Loop Earplugs during the intermission.
Although the Loop Earplugs, and associated Loop Link, are stupidly expensive for what they are, I place a much higher value on my hearing, so I'm pleased to have bought them.
Given the care taken by each musician in Evanescence
in setting up their individual rig, the benefit was completely eradicated by the guy operating the PA Rig - as the volume, bass, and treble, respectively was turned up to 11+++. This resulted in the Guitars being mostly drowned under the weight of the drums and bass.
If only they had taken as much care in crafting their concert audio performance as had been so well engineered into their latest Sanctuary album. The stadium sound was at odds with their rather excellent stage presentation/rear projection.
The 15,800-strong audience didn't just simply hear the bass. It deeply penetrated every molecule throughout your body and the chair on which you were seated as it resonated behind you. Fortunately, the Loop Earplugs protected my hearing from the high-pitched treble over 3 hours of listening to Evanescence - and two support acts (K.Flay, and Poppy). Result: no post concert Ear ringing (and no damage to my hearing).
Within an hour of it concluding someone had
posted the concert online. Surprisingly, the video doesn't capture the extreme bass and treble characteristics of the event.
Five days later, I momentarily tried the Loop Earplugs at Birmingham's Symphony Hall when attending Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks. This was a more modest 2,600 all-seated capacity audience. Within a few seconds, I realised that I didn't need the Loop Earplugs. Unlike the previous Yes gig there a few years back, this parallel version of Yes by another name knew how to properly set up their PA Rig.
In conclusion, I recommend buying Loop Earplugs for whatever need you have - even if it's to protect you from a snoring partner during the night (or them from you) - as there are 7 variations available to buy to suit your individual circumstances.
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