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Festival season is fast approaching, with Coachella kicking off and a packed slate of events rolling in through spring and summer. And while you’re packing your clear fanny packs with sealed water bottles and sunscreen, it’s a good idea to pack a pair of earplugs, too.
Earplugs are admittedly not the most sexy concert essential, and on top of being conspicuous, foam earplugs can make the music sound muffled. That’s why the next generation of earplugs is designed to reduce decibels without dampening sound quality. One of the most popular options is Vibes, which are designed to lower decibel levels without compromising on clarity.
Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs
I put Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs to the test, including on one of the final dates of Billie Eilish’s positively eardrum-rattling Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, to see how they fared — in short, they’re comfortable enough to wear for an entire concert and discreet enough to go nearly unnoticed. Crucially, they substantially reduced the roar of the concert without the music sounding overly muffled.
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs: Design
As much as we’d like to proselytize the virtues of earplugs, the truth is that most people who wear earplugs to a concert would probably rather not let anyone know they’re wearing earplugs. Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs have plastic stems that make the earplugs nearly invisible in the ear. They also come with interchangeable eartips for optimal comfort and protection.
Additionally, the earplugs come with a small plastic case that’s pocket-friendly, making them an ideal option if you’re at a concert venue with a no-bags policy.
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs: Performance
Vibes earplugs are designed to provide 22 dB of protection. Some options, like Loop, provide up to 26 dB. But for the casual concertgoer use, Vibes earplugs can help cut down the loudest sounds to protect long-term hearing health.
According to Vibes, their earplugs are designed to “filter specific frequencies to deliver the best possible listening experience,” and in my experience, live performances didn’t sound overly muffled. Because they’re reusable, compact, and easy to use, they’re a no-brainer for regular concertgoers.
There are some trade-offs. Like with most earplugs, lower volumes can be harder to hear, so they can be tough to use if you’re trying to have a conversation. There are also some options with greater noise reduction, and Vibes says these are not recommended for every situation, such as operating heavy machinery. And while these are impressively clear, you will still lose out on some of the detail of a live performance.
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs: Verdict
Vibes earplugs are comfortable, compact, and reusable, and the transparent stems make them nearly invisible. While they’re not ideal for extremely loud noises or quiet conversations, they’re a great way for the casual concertgoer who’s looking to keep their hearing protected without sacrificing too much on sound quality.
Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs
