Radians DIY earplug review

[Monkeyman]

I was waiting on a review by Brad (I think) but didn't see it so I figured I'd spend the $16 and try these for myself. Color me unimpressed.

They're as simple to mold as the videos show. Split the colored and white materials in half then mix one half white with one half color (I chose orange...I think Brad got pink) and knead them together until well mixed then start squishing them in your ear. Do the same for the other side and wait at least 10 minutes. After that, the ear plugs will have set and you can remove them. While they were in my ears initially, they drowned out most of the ambient sounds. Once I removed them and reinserted them, they didn't do so well. I honestly think I could have done as well with a pair of those cheap, yellow foam ear plugs. I'll try these again the next time I'm out for an extended ride (probably next week as I work all weekend) but I think they were a waste of money. I'll try to get a pair of those cheap foam ones at work this weekend so I can try them back to back with the Radians.

Bottom line, don't waste your money.

[ringadingh]

Thanks for the honest review, All I ever use is the foam plugs from work. They have to do a simple job and they do it pretty good.

[blowndodge]

Sorry Chris. Your right I did buy them and made and used them. As you describe I did exactly as you did to make them. It took me a long time to remove them because of the ear canal shape. When waiting for them to "set" the sound reduction was complete. As you pointed out after removal and using for the first time I wasn't sure if it was all that good.

From what I've read after re-insertion (no not your butt plug) the warmth of your ear causes it to, for lack of a better description, reseal. Not at first when you put them in. I rode for 280 miles last weekend with a full faced helmet which is quieter than my 3/4 helmet. Unless you get the really super soft ear plugs they are more comfortable to use than the standard foam plugs. I had no discomfort after wearing them all day.

Inserting them the first time after making them was the hardest part. The shape of them is really confusing as to how to get them back in your ear. I need more time but for 16 bucks they aint bad and are washable and reusable. This weekend I'll wear my 3/4 helmet and see how quiet it is. One thing I did notice that I didn't get the strange echo I get when I wear foam plugs. Sort of like that feeling when your in a pool underwater and you hear someone tapping? The wind hitting my helmet with foam plugs I hear that strange, Inside a fish bowl, echo.

These Radians didn't have that echo.

[Monkeyman]

Like I said, I'll try them again on my next long (ish) ride. I just tried them up the street to test them out. I didn't give the ear plugs (or the butt plug) time to warm back up. If I find them to reseal well after they warm up, I'll edit my original post.

Thanks for the reply, Brad. (You DID get the pink ones, didn't you?)

[audiogooroo]

Okay, I know I have a different perspective because of what I do for a living, but I think this comes under the "you get what you pay for" discussion. Sort of like the difference in motorcycles based on price point.
In my opinion, it is worth the coin to have an audiologist do your impressions, and then have pro models made. The ear plugs on the left in the picture are what I usually use to ride (among other work related activities). The have removable inserts that allow me to select the level of noise reduction required. I have three sets of inserts: 9db, 15db & 25db. I've actually mixed rock shows with the 9db plugs in, when the level of the crowd dictates the SPL I must maintain.

They are so comfortable that I can wear them all day or night and not feel them at all.

The ones on the right are also custom molded, but have a dual driver speaker setup that sounds amazing! I use them for mixing in-ear monitors and performing on stage, but also when I want tunes on a long highway ride on the Nomad.
These are not cheap, but they are the best. Granted, since I am a dealer for Westone, they were much more affordable for me. The earplugs, however, are not unreasonable. Around $150 retail as I recall, less the cost of the audiologist visit. When one spends anywhere from $10-$25k on a bike, and way more than $150 on leather, I think it's a reasonable purchase.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/audiogooroo/Westone_zps6495750b.jpg

[blowndodge]

Daryl I've know your beliefs on ear protection for a few years now. My issue is that I ride primarily with blue tooth tunes and intercom and phone. My non wired speakers in my helmet I can hear fine with any ear plugs I use. Granted I'm missing part of the sound spectrum but it sounds pretty good blasting away in my helmet. Wired ear plugs in California is illegal. But using them would be the best for fidelity. You plugs on the left cost how much?

[Fooch]

So what exactly is the purpose of the ear plugs?

[audiogooroo]

Brad, the plugs on the left retail for around $150 with a single set of inserts. The audiologist visit is over and above that, but that's usually less than a hundred bucks. I think the comfort factor alone is worth it.

[audiogooroo]

So what exactly is the purpose of the ear plugs?

Simple hearing protection Fooch. Wind noise while riding over long periods of time can devastate one's hearing. A full helmet helps reduce it, but it's surprising how loud it really is.

[Old Bear]

Allow me to jump in, I picked up a set of EarPro EP3 (http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html) plugs. Reasonably priced, and I've found them very comfortable. I like the idea that I can still hear normal-level sounds. They have a mini-plug where you can totally seal them off if that is what you desire. For me, they are better than any I have ever used.

[SoCalNomad]

I'm a big fan of the Etymotic ER20 earplugs. They reduce the sound level fairly evenly so you don't get that totally muffled sound, but still allow enough sound thru to let you stay alert to traffic. I bought them from Westone http://www.westone.com/store/index.php/westone-music-products/hearing-protection.html. The drawback may be that the little tube sticking out may interfere with your helmet- never been a problem for me. A reasonable alternative to custom molded plugs.

[usranger74]

So what exactly is the purpose of the ear plugs?


I have read, and my experience confirms, that a lot of "wind" or helmet noise on trips leads to fatigue. I use them 90% of the time.

I wear an open face helment.

[audiogooroo]

I have read, and my experience confirms, that a lot of "wind" or helmet noise on trips leads to fatigue. I use them 90% of the time.

I wear an open face helment.

Excellent point Bill. Do a little "light" reading on pschoacoustics and you'll see how we hear is not a simple thing. When designing audio systems, we have to be keenly aware of things like the Haas effect, as it will cause the listener to become quickly fatigued, and somewhat irritable, and they are unaware as to why. The way our brain interprets sound is quite fascinating, at least to me. :yep:

[Old Bear]

Excellent point Bill. Do a little "light" reading on pschoacoustics and you'll see how we hear is not a simple thing. When designing audio systems, we have to be keenly aware of things like the Haas effect, as it will cause the listener to become quickly fatigued, and somewhat irritable, and they are unaware as to why. The way our brain interprets sound is quite fascinating, at least to me. :yep:
Is this similar to the nagging wife effect? I know that leaves me fatigued and irritable - but I know why! :lmao:

[blowndodge]

Jerry shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... we don't need that to get around! But your right!

[Monkeyman]

Rode 80 miles or so yesterday with the Radians. Still not impressed. I couldn't get them to fit my ears correctly, the wind noise was muted but not any better than a cheap pair of foam earplugs would do, they felt "odd" and when I took the helmet off, they came out getting caught between the helmet and my ears. Ouch. They will go in the trash whenever I remember to take them out of the glovebox.

[cactusjack]

Thanks for the review. I was interested in these, but not anymore. This is AZ Bike Week and i'll be at Cyclefest. They usually have a couple of vendors making custom molded ear plugs. Maybe i'll just have a set made. They will cost more, but they are good quality.

[blowndodge]

I must have made mine good. They are more comfortable than foam and seem to block out enough noise.

[duffy]

I have been using the Radian plugs now for a while (not on the bike though). I use them while sleeping as the wife snores pretty good at times. The plugs do work better when warmed up. Try running them under hot tap water before inserting them. They also are easier to insert when wet. The only plugs I have been able to wear for an extended period of time (8+ hours).