there is multiple options for concert headphones these days, so you no longer have to settle for bargain box foam bits that completely cover your ears. PPE-grade products vary in design and performance, with some offering varying levels of noise reduction. This hearing protection always comes with the promise that the earplugs won’t completely drown out the band, which is a real problem when you have to settle for generic foam versions from the bartender.
Loop has been in the concert headphone game since its inception in 2016. During this time, its product list has grown to include nine different models, including special options for sleep, travel, commuting and social events, in addition to concerts, festivals and sporting events. . The Switch 2 ($59.95) The headphones are the latest version of Loop, an improved version of the original Switch that has the ability to change sound filter levels while still in your ears. To test the sound quality, I took them to a 100dB rock show in a small venue last month.
Loop/Engadget
Switch 2 delivers on Loop’s promise to safely filter out loud noise for social gatherings, concerts, commuting, and more.
- Easy to adjust while wearing
- Very convenient
- The most expensive model from Loop
- Noise levels vary by 3dB
The Loop has largely retained the same design from its first model. It has a silicone ear tip, similar to the ones on wireless headphones, that connects to a circular loop that houses all the protective bits. In the case of the Switch 2, the outer half of this loop rotates to allow you to choose between three sound filtering levels: Busy, Experience, and Quiet.
These settings reduce noise by 20dB, 23dB and 26dB respectively and do not need to be removed to adjust. The company recommends Engage for social gatherings and conversations, while Experience works best for concerts and sporting events. The Quiet’s maximum noise reduction is designed for commuting and breaks, making them a solid choice for travel.
For the Switch 2, Loop says it redesigned that dial for “smoother” changes when you put them on. I’ve never tried the previous model, but I can tell you that this new version lets you cycle between modes with ease. I never felt like I had to push the earbuds further into my ear to make a change, and the dial stopped at every setting with a satisfying click that I could feel even when the space was too loud to hear it.
Following Loop’s advice, I found the Experience setting to be the best for a live show. My Apple Watch detected that the space reached 100dB, which is the level National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) it says you only need 15 minutes of exposure to avoid hearing damage. Obviously, with five bands on the bill for the evening, I was going to spend more time in a dangerously loud environment. So a 23dB reduction in that setting brought the noise level down to a safer number for the roughly two hours I was there.
Since the set of earbuds is so small, I was able to easily carry both the Switch 2 and the headphones. Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus to the show for direct comparison. During both the brutal hardcore of Ends of Sanity and the chaotic metal of Dying Wish, I could consistently hear more detail with the Switch 2. This was most apparent on the guitars, where Loop’s selection gave me a higher frequency sound and let me. enjoy all the riffs both bands have to offer. I like the fit of the SoundProtex Plus, but the filtered sound is more bass heavy and favors the drums, so it loses some fidelity compared to the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 comes with four sizes of ear tips to help you find the best fit, and there’s a hard plastic case that’s easy to find when you throw it in a bag. Again, it’s super compact (about the size of a quarter), so I carry them with me all the time so I don’t have to worry about forgetting them before I go to another gig. However, the SoundProtex Plus has three separate ear tips in three different sizes. This package also includes four noise filters with 10dB, 17dB, 20dB and “full” noise reduction options.
The big problem with the Sennheiser version is that you can’t change the filters without removing them from your ears. It’s a quick process, but the filters are small, so it’s not something you want to fiddle with mid-set in a crowded club. Also, don’t forget to pack them in the little bag the company gives you before you leave home. The SoundProtex Plus is now a more attractive option at $50, which is $30 less than when I reviewed them. But as I mentioned, I think the Switch 2 offers better sound filtering and ease of use for only $10.
I have close friends and former bandmates who have used Loop headphones for years, and they cite the secure fit of the eartips in the company’s products as a major selling point. Some of the competition tends to self-discharge after a few minutes, they said, requiring constant adjustment. For the Switch 2, the company has revised those parts for better noise reduction in maximum or Quiet mode, and they still stay in place as long as you need them. The only time I reached for the earplugs during the show was to adjust the filter settings for testing purposes.
I’ve been carrying the SoundProtex Plus around since I started testing them last year, and they’ve served me well. However, the Switch 2 allows for more detail, meaning you can hear more of what the band has to offer during the show. What’s more, Loop’s latest model offers even more noise protection at every level, with even the lowest setting dropping 100dB into a safer place to stand. And like the Sennheiser package, the Switch 2 has been comprehensively tested, meeting certified as hearing protection. both EU and US safety standards.
