Hearing protection active muffs in 2025

[LeftyJason]

So I've read a few of the threads over the years and the somewhat relevant recent ones were from end of 2023.

Went to the range today after a tough day at work and realized I couldn't find my walker razor slim active electronic muffs. Also couldn't find the wife's purple Howard leight electronics either. Had to resort to foamies.

I mostly shoot suppressed. Generally only active muffs or if I double up I use orange rolled foamies cause my dad taught me right. My good outdoor range closed so I have been having to go indoors more often.

Been thinking of upgrading from the walkers for a couple of years. Want to stick with active muffs. Don't want anything too thick either. Do not use a helmet but it would also be nice to have recommendations for ones that can be switched to work with some form of hard hat use when I do storm chainsaw cleanup work. Do not need mic or comms. I've got amateur radio for that.

What are the worthwhile upgrades at different price points? Where do you recommend to get them? I don't get mil/Le discounts.

Edit: I wear prescription glasses. Currently Oakley barrelhouse.

 

[Devildog]

I have a pair of MSA Sordins with the neck band and a pair of Swatcoms with the head band. I like the neck band better when I’m wearing a hat exc. There both great, pretty sure there both from the same company https://srstactical.com/swatcom-active8-waterproof-headset-neckband-gel-ear-seals.html

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

I've had a pair of 3M Comtac iii for probably going on 5 years now and would not hesitate to buy them again or some of the newer ones. Aside from replacing the gel pads every year or two they just work and despite abuse are still in great shape. I hear good things about the Sordins though and trust other MSA products.

 

[jpjulian]

Sordin Supreme Pro SFA 32db with the gel cups. I wore mine all day at the range and never took them off. Best money ever spent for the shooting sports.

 

[carbonbased]

I’ll chime in to say that your glasses breaking the cup seal (gel or no gel) seems to degrade the NRR much more than it would seem.

I’ve got a post on here to that effect. I found a study done about that fact. I’ll see if I can find it.

 

[carbonbased]

Ok, found two posts. Also, if you wear a ballcap or winter hat or balaclava that is under your muffs, well, those things are going to reduce the muff’s effectiveness too.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/question-on-hearing-protection.7041206/post-9026162

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/question-on-hearing-protection.7041206/post-9027158

 

[carbonbased]

I was all set on buying some Ops Core + their fancy NFMI plugs, but I read some comments on a YT vid that suggest that the headsets are fragile (I know, I know, YT comments veracity).

Since the unit is over $1k, that gave me some pause…but the manufacturer promises a high NRR (or SNR?) rating while being able to hear much better than regular doubling up.

For interest
Foamies info:
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ops-core-nfmi-plugs-only.7155537/post-10668035

 

[Budrichard]

Sordin Supreme Pro SFA 32db with the gel cups. I wore mine all day at the range and never took them off. Best money ever spent for the shooting sports.

Sordin Supreme Pro SFA is 31db SNR which is the European standard of measurement. The Sordin website says N/A for NRR which is the US standard pf measurement (OSHA) and is usually 3-4 db lower than the SNR.
Sordin's are great, what I use for many years but you still need to double up!
I may upgrade to the Sordin SFA but still double up!
-Richard
BTW in interest of hygiene, I only use 3M foamies once and purchase by the shitload.
All the rest is hype to help an individual purchase noise reduction devices that may or may not work.
I'm 80 years old, started shooting at 13 when noise reduction was not given any consideration.
As a Commercial Power Plant Worker, I remember when OSHA standards were introduced and we were issued headsets which I started to wear for shooting. Eventually got Sordin's so I could hunt with noise reduction but hear conversations.
Too late as Tinnitus has reared it's ugly head besides mild at times Meniere's disease.
I presently use a set pf Sordin passive with 32db SNR with foamies.
My electronic Sordins are reserved for race tracks and other similar events.

Sordin Supreme Pro-X SFA

Electronic, Black leather, Green, Electronic, Headband, PVC Foam and more

www.sordin.com

 

[Stag556]

I was all set on buying some Ops Core + their fancy NFMI plugs, but I read some comments on a YT vid that suggest that the headsets are fragile (I know, I know, YT comments veracity).

Since the unit is over $1k, that gave me some pause…but the manufacturer promises a high NRR (or SNR?) rating while being able to hear much better than regular doubling up.

For interest
Foamies info:
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ops-core-nfmi-plugs-only.7155537/post-10668035

Having used Ops Core Amps at work on a helmet for over a year, I’ll say I never found them to be fragile. My gear gets tossed in a large gear bag on thrown on a team shelf between assignments and never had any issues.

 

[Flyingbullseye]

I own or used in the past swatcoms, liberator 2.0, sordin supreme pre hear2 and comtac V. All work great and have very little difference in sound clarity between them. The biggest difference I've noticed is one might have more bass while another will have higher treble. It's really what your ears prefer.

I also don't notice much if any difference in passive sound attenuation. Using swatcom and comtac back to back I have noticed a very small difference between them in favor of the comtac but it's very very slight.

Comfort, always go for the gels, much better than any of the standard ear cups.
Behind the neck is nice, safariland has an adjustable neck band for those of us that have a taller narrower head. Tried the sordin one and never got a good fit.

All of those will be a huge upgrade from the HL and Walker's.

 

[carbonbased]

Having used Ops Core Amps at work on a helmet for over a year, I’ll say I never found them to be fragile. My gear gets tossed in a large gear bag on thrown on a team shelf between assignments and never had any issues.

This is good to hear! (Sorry for the pun, didn’t mean it lol)

How is the raw noise reduction of the OPS Core + NFMI plugs compared to other units?

 

[Stag556]

This is good to hear! (Sorry for the pun, didn’t mean it lol)

How is the raw noise reduction of the OPS Core + NFMI plugs compared to other units?

Although the headset is NFMI enabled, I’ve never actually used the plugs in conjunction. The noise reduction with the headset itself is pretty good in my experience.

 

[Sogan]

I was all set on buying some Ops Core + their fancy NFMI plugs, but I read some comments on a YT vid that suggest that the headsets are fragile (I know, I know, YT comments veracity).

Since the unit is over $1k, that gave me some pause…but the manufacturer promises a high NRR (or SNR?) rating while being able to hear much better than regular doubling up.

For interest
Foamies info:
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ops-core-nfmi-plugs-only.7155537/post-10668035

I also own a pair with the NFMI plugs. I did have a pair that needed to be sent back within the first year. No issues after that. I will admit that it made me nervous though on the longevity of them. Prior to that I had a pair of Sordins for 12 years with zero issues.

 

[carbonbased]

I also own a pair with the NFMI plugs. I did have a pair that needed to be sent back within the first year. No issues after that. I will admit that it made me nervous though on the longevity of them. Prior to that I had a pair of Sordins for 12 years with zero issues.

What’s your feeling on the NFMI+headset noise reduction compared to others?

 

[lash]

I’ll chime in to say that your glasses breaking the cup seal (gel or no gel) seems to degrade the NRR much more than it would seem.

I’ve got a post on here to that effect. I found a study done about that fact. I’ll see if I can find it.

I have little choice but to wear glasses with ear protection, but have found that gel ear cups with a relief cut for glasses are a big help. Like these:

Noisefighters Sightlines - Gel Ear Pads with Relief Cuts for Glasses (Adhesive Universal Mount)

Noisefighters Sightlines - Gel Ear Pads with Relief Cuts for Glasses

srstactical.com

 

[carbonbased]

I have little choice but to wear glasses with ear protection, but have found that gel ear cups with a relief cut for glasses to be a big help. Like these:

Noisefighters Sightlines - Gel Ear Pads with Relief Cuts for Glasses (Adhesive Universal Mount)

Noisefighters Sightlines - Gel Ear Pads with Relief Cuts for Glasses

srstactical.com

Yeah, I was stuck with glasses for a long time, so I get it. The struggle is real.

I’d use contacts occasionally, but then I could see close up.

Then I had cataract surgery. Had a monovision setup done where one eye is set to see close up and one, the scope eye, is set for distance. Brain puts images together. Works well for me…about 25% of the populace can pull this off.

Anyway, I now use those safety glasses I linked to in a post above, which Velcro to the muffs.

Gel cups def for the win for glasses wearers. I was just pointing out that there is some reduction in protection, but hey, what else are you going to do?

How do you like the channels?

 

[kthomas]

I'm still wearing Sordin Supreme-X's from I bought 13+ years ago, combined with ear plugs when shooting under coverings or around muzzle brakes. I shoot suppressed only pretty much these days, and if I'm not around others I feel okay enough to forgo the ear plugs.

I would highly recommend the gel ear pads. If I was to do it again, I would get the Sordin's with the neck bands over the head band.

My Sordin's have been in inclement weather, from absolute downpours, to dust storms and 110+ days. Never really had an issue with them. The only wear they are really showing is the sleeving for the electronic wires are splitting, I should address that. But should be an easy fix with heat shrink tubing or something similar...

 

[45cal4life]

I'm looking at Otto Noizebarrier Range SA. If those don't work out, the 3M peltor Swat model. I don't need comm's to talk with my imaginary friends

 

[carbonbased]

Also, to answer lefty’s question, I’m not sure about the general “strata” or, levels of muffs, where one gets meaningfully better electronic ear protection. My guess is that comfort, longevity, and sound quality are the things that scale with price.

I know the OPS Core are easily swappable between different modes (helment/ headband) as I’ve seen it done in YT vids.

I use some discontinued 3M muffs that are large-ish and offered the best NRR at the time for an electronic pair: 26 NRR

I’d give SRS Tactical a call. I believe I got my muffs from them. Regardless, they’ve been helpful in answering my questions in the past.

 

[vanrichten]

I think I’ve tried all of the big names over the last 20+ years. I’ve settled on the ops core with the NFMI plugs. The sound reduction is amazing, the plugs give you the extra protection you need but still allow you to hear talking/range commands.

I like that you can switch them between helmet/headband fairly easily. Also like the modular aspect in that I don’t have to keep the comms leads/mic attached when I don’t need it. Most of the time I don’t need to use a radio, but I like using the DISCUS Bluetooth adapter to listen to my phone/music if I’m shooting alone.

I like them so much I got a second set for use on a bump helmet if someone else is wanting to play in the dark with NODs and/or my wife if needed.

 

[jpp3g]

This is good to hear! (Sorry for the pun, didn’t mean it lol)

How is the raw noise reduction of the OPS Core + NFMI plugs compared to other units?

I used the AMPS+NFMI for a few years before getting a set of custom in ears. There is nothing else in the market that provides the same level of reduction and amplification. Any other headset you can add a set of foamies or surefire soundguard or whatever else to, but the hear-through ability on the NFMI plugs is unreal. All the benefits of the reduction without any of the muffling of traditional double plugging.

That said, my set of amps has died and I need to pay for repairs which I've been really lazy about doing (outside of the warranty period). Also, they drain batteries faster than other sets I've used because they're powering both devices (muffs and plugs).

If I was going back to the start of my shooting career, I would have just bought them straight away instead of going from howard leight->pelton->sordin->etc. The custom in ears are great for pistols but if I'm around braked competition guns all day I'll come away with a bit of a headache. Not the case with amps.

 

[lash]

Gel cups def for the win for glasses wearers. I was just pointing out that there is some reduction in protection, but hey, what else are you going to do?

How do you like the channels?

I like them okay, with no complaints. They do allow the ear cups to seal around your ear better for better noise attenuation.

I like them so much I got a second set for use on a bump helmet if someone else is wanting to play in the dark with NODs and/or my wife if needed.

Is there a reason that I should want to play in the dark with your wife?

 

[vanrichten]

I like them okay, with no complaints. They do allow the ear cups to seal around your ear better for better noise attenuation.


Is there a reason that I should want to play in the dark with your wife?

She’s a better shot than me, so don’t get too frisky.

 

[Nik H]

I have a pair of MSA Sordins with the neck band and a pair of Swatcoms with the head band. I like the neck band better when I’m wearing a hat exc. There both great, pretty sure there both from the same company https://srstactical.com/swatcom-active8-waterproof-headset-neckband-gel-ear-seals.html

These are the two that I use as well. They are great. Super comfortable. My Sordins are 11 years old. They needed a repair after 8 years. The cost of the repair was ~$70. I bought the Swatcoms at that time.

However, I also wear custom moulded plugs under them for a second layer of protection.

Wish I could buy a can where I live.