Given that the Dubs and Earasers are two of the most popular models of musicians earplugs on the market at the moment it’s no surprise that we often get asked which is better. The answer to that question though really depends on a few factors and personal preferences. In this article I’d like to cover the key differences between the two models so you can make a clear choice as to which will suit you better.
Aesthetics
The Earasers are a low profile and clear earplug that are mostly unnoticeable to the average person. People that have experience with earplugs will still notice the signature plastic pull pin sticking out your ear that allows the earplugs to be extracted. This is a vastly different aesthetic appearance to the DUBS. The DUBS are not just an earplug but also a fashion statement. The outer section of the earplug with its black base colour and white/blue/pink/teal ring make them very easy to spot unless you have long hair covering your ears. If you enjoy talking about earplugs and hearing protection then this is probably a good thing for you because you’ll no doubt get a few curious people every gig ask what you’ve got stuck in your ears.
Hearing Protection
DUBS provide an average volume reduction of 12db (with up to 24db reduction in “critical midrange frequencies”) while the Earasers offer a flat 19db reduction across the board. Most musicians will prefer an earplug that affects the overall sound as little as possible, especially when performing with them in. For this reason, the Earasers are favoured ahead of the DUBS in this category. The dynamic frequency reduction of the DUBS is unlikely to be an issue for non-musicians/performers.
Comfort
The Earasers come in 4 different sizes allowing a comfortable fit for pretty much any sized ear. In contrast, the DUBS only come in one size. Unfortunately, knowing if you have weird sized/shaped ear canals isn’t something that is easy to work out until you’ve actually tried earplugs. For most people both the DUBS and the Earasers should be comfortable however if you’ve ever had problems with earplug sizes in the past I would recommend sticking to the Earasers to get a more comfortable fit.
Final Thoughts
Purchase Earasers HEM001 if you
- Are a musician and need as little change in the overall sound as possible
- Have had any issues with earplug sizing in the past
- Want an earplug that is almost unnoticable
Purchase DUBS Advanced Acoustic Filters if you
- Are happy with people noticing the earplugs or want to make a fashion statement
- Value better hearing damage protection over sound reproduction accuracy
- Haven’t had any issues with earplug sizing in the past