I want electronic hearing protection that can play MP3s. Recommendation?

**Wounded Ronin** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 9:03pm

For a while now, some of the people I shoot with during competitions have told me that I ought to get some electronic hearing protection, the kind that lets you hear conversation around you, but that still protects your hearing when the shooting starts.

Personally, I want to get that, but with MP3 playback capability. That way I can listen to my Vietnam War playlist from Sociocide while practicing my shooting.

I just was looking online but it seems like many of the choices out there have gotten crappy reviews from consumers.

Can anyone recommend good electronic hearing protection with MP3 playback capability for me?

Thanks!

**Phrost** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 9:11pm

Whoa, they make something like that? The future rules.

Seriously though, I've never heard of earpro that plays MP3s but I imagine you could use in-ear earphones in a pinch for some modest hearing protection.

***JohnnyCache*** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 10:00pm

http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/tek4/safety/RP4530

I just got a set of these for xmas for work/shooting. Haven't taken them shooting yet, but they working great at work.

They don't technically "play" mp3s but they have a jack for your external mp3 item.

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 10:13pm

That is a pretty cool idea, but mostly I'm posting this to thank you for the laughs.*

*I immediately imagined some guy listening to the Titanic soundtrack while he's firing a .50AE Desert Eagle.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 10:23pm

Personally I think that this is a highly idiotic idea. If someone is doing anything that requires serious hearing protection, distraction from music or whatever just increases risk.

**Wounded Ronin** · Posted On: 12/28/2010 10:50pm

Originally Posted by Jim_Jude

Personally I think that this is a highly idiotic idea. If someone is doing anything that requires serious hearing protection, distraction from music or whatever just increases risk.

If nothing else you can listen to music without removing your hearing protection while you're waiting for your turn to shoot. In organized competitions there is often a lot of waiting for your turn.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 12/29/2010 1:44am

Originally Posted by Wounded Ronin

If nothing else you can listen to music without removing your hearing protection while you're waiting for your turn to shoot. In organized competitions there is often a lot of waiting for your turn.

I'm not retracting my opinion. It's still stupid. With a gun in the room, the only time I'm comfortable is when it's MY gun! Are you REALLY that comfortable in a shooting environment? If so, then more power to ya, but not me, man, no way!

**Gezere** · Posted On: 12/29/2010 8:07am

Originally Posted by Jim_Jude

Personally I think that this is a highly idiotic idea. If someone is doing anything that requires serious hearing protection, distraction from music or whatever just increases risk.

I agree wholeheartedly!

**Audio Goose** · Posted On: 12/30/2010 11:28pm

Originally Posted by Wounded Ronin

If nothing else you can listen to music without removing your hearing protection while you're waiting for your turn to shoot. In organized competitions there is often a lot of waiting for your turn.

Hhhhmmmm..... lets see. Give a bunch of people guns to shoot at a firearms competition along with a major distraction. My opinion says this isn't a smart idea.

Plus another concern with this idea is the ability to be able to hear a range master or a cease fire while on the range. Ear protection is one thing in this regards, but adding a second source of potentially loud sound to the mix would make a "cease fire" that much more difficult to hear, especially if you're like me and like my music loud n' proud.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 12/31/2010 5:07am

Originally Posted by Audio Goose

Hhhhmmmm..... lets see. Give a bunch of people guns to shoot at a firearms competition along with a major distraction. My opinion says this isn't a smart idea.

Plus another concern with this idea is the ability to be able to hear a range master or a cease fire while on the range. Ear protection is one thing in this regards, but adding a second source of potentially loud sound to the mix would make a "cease fire" that much more difficult to hear, especially if you're like me and like my music loud n' proud.

Yeah, I can only imagine the story coming from a nearby hospital bed:
"Yeah, I was totally rockin' out to the new Godsmack album I'd just downloaded when unbeknownst to me, the woman a few feet away screamed 'Oh mah gawd, he's shooting everybody!' & then my kneecap exploded... good thing someone much more prudent than me & without these stupid MP3 earmuffs heard the ruckus and ended the near-massacre with a well-executed Mozambique drill..." :toothy3: