Earmor M300T: Affordable and Good Hearing Protection
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Shooting practically every week, indoor and outdoor, and in all weather has afforded and mandated the opportunity to try out a lot of gear over the years. One essential that never gets skipped is hearing protection which I typically don't change until what I've been using wears out or suddenly presents a fault I can't live with. Recently we were given the chance to try out some new muffs by Earmor, a company I previously hadn't interacted with.
The feature list is rich, but price isn't. It's possible to spend less than a dollar or more than $400 on hearing protection depending on which features are most important to you. The Earmor M300Ts are available on Amazon for less than $60 and yet offer:
Bluetooth 5.4 for handling calls or listening to music
Amplification of ambient sounds while still protecting against dangerous volumes
3 listening modes
IPX5 Water Resistance
Suppression of noise over 82dB
NRR of 22dB
Up to 60 hours of life from two commonly-available AAA batteries
What we experienced beyond just the stated specs was how incredibly lightweight and comfortable these are. The gel pads seal nicely without adding uncomfortable pressure to eye protection, and maybe it's the choice of AAA batteries, but between the light weight and nicely-padded head band it's easy to forget these are even on. Our first impressions can be seen in the video below.
A feature that was new to us was the multiple listening modes. Earmor has set three different levels of filters that seem aimed at specific applications.
Clear Voice amplifies and clarifies voice over background sounds to make it easier to communicate.
Ambient amplifies the minor background noises we typically mentally tune out or simplty don't hear. This is a great one for enhancing situational awareness and I could imagine would be very handy for hunters.
Focus Mode makes sounds differentiating from the rest of the world stand out. If you're waiting for a specifric audible cue of an event or action this mode will help you find it.
The NRR of just 22dB is lower than what I typically use, and I was concerned that might not be quite enough. At an outdoor range with handguns it was fine, and in case of indoor use or louder firearms a set of foam plugs are included with the set. I know "doubling up" is already what many competitors and indoor shooters typically do, I simply haven't had the need to with these yet.
A blank name velcro patch and set of foam plugs are also included with the Earmor M300T
The volume and controls are very easy to use and both on the left ear; a nice assumption that the right hand will be busy holding a firearm. I was concerned that a single button would lead to a complex morse-code maze of combinations needed to switch roles, pair with a phone, or control music. As it turns out it's all very simple and intuitive.
Overall I think the Earmor M300Ts are a great set of hearing protection, especially for such a low price. The sound quality isn't as rich as I've experienced on more premium brands, but those also cost two or three times more. For less than $60 they're a nice set to enhance your shooting experience without making credit card payments. The weather hasn't permitted me to mow the yard yet, but I plan on using these while mowing to enjoy some music, hear what's going on, but also protect my ears during that task.
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