Music Pro

The Etymotic Music Pro Musicians Earplugs with Active Hearing Protection is designed for Musicians who want to hear naturally but need protection when hearing is at risk. Using active technology that constantly evaluates incoming sound the Music Pro gives you two modes of operation. The Low mode gives you transparent pass-through audio under 100db, with compression beginning at 70db. When the 90db threshold is passed it gives you 15db of attenuation for material above that level with a super-fast attack and release with the effect of only attenuating that sound. High Mode provides 9 dB of attenuation for loud sounds and 6 dB of gain (amplification) for soft sounds. 

Weight0.32 lbsTechnical Specifications

MP•9-15 I/O Curves

MP•9-15 Charts

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Music•PRO 9-15 different from other earplugs?

Music•PRO earplugs are "active"(electronic) earplugs, which means that they do more than block sound like passive earplugs. Passive earplugs affect sound quality and reduce the ability to hear very soft sounds. Circuitry in Music•PRO earplugs restores sound that is lost when the eartips seal off the ear canals and provides hearing protection when needed. Soft sounds are heard naturally or can be increased 6 dB in the enhancement mode.

Why not just use passive Musicians Earplugs?

World-class artists and performers of all music genres use passive Musicians Earplugs™ that come in three levels of protection: 9 dB, 15 dB and 25 dB sound reduction. The advantage of electronic Music•PRO earplugs is they combine two versions of Musicians Earplugs in the same device (ER-9 and ER-15) and automatically activate when protection is needed. These intelligent, high-fidelity electronic earplugs allow natural hearing when sound levels are safe. They automatically protect from loud, sustained sound, instantaneously protect from sudden, loud percussive sound and amplify soft sounds if desired.

What is the best eartip to use with the MP•9-15 earplugs?

Ears come in different shapes and sizes. To obtain optimal sound quality and noise isolation, eartips must be properly sealed in the ear canal. Music•PRO earplugs are packaged with 7 pairs of eartips. We recommend experimenting to see which eartip provides the most effective seal for you.

Do I need custom molds for Music•PRO earplugs?

Customization is an option, but in general it is not difficult to obtain a comfortable seal with the eartips provided.

What are filters and what are they used for?

Music•PRO electronic earplugs are equipped with special filters that enhance sound quality and prevent ear wax and other agents from entering the receivers. If a filter becomes clogged, it should be replaced. The need to change filters varies widely among users.

Where can I order replacement eartips, filters, and other accessories?

Purchase eartips, filters and other accessories online or call Customer Service toll free at 888-389-6684.

How long do batteries last?

Battery life: #10 hearing aid batteries tend to last about 10 Days after the tab is removed.

• Do not remove the battery tabs until ready to use Music•PRO earplugs, because zinc air batteries may self-discharge in about 4 weeks whether they are used or not. Discharge rate varies with temperature and humidity.
• After a tab is removed, it may take a few seconds for air to enter the vent holes and activate the battery.
• It is sometimes possible to prolong the life of the battery by placing the tab back over the air holes, but results vary.

Recommendation: Always carry spare batteries.

Where can I find batteries?

Each device uses one #10 battery, a very commonly used hearing aid battery. #10 batteries are easy to find in pharmacies, super centers or RadioShack.

Does battery life depend on the mode used?

No.

Will I hear distortion in these earplugs?

Probably not. Peak sound pressure levels above 120 dB are reduced to safe levels by the output limitation of the circuit. Because these bursts are so short – on the order of a few milliseconds – the transients are safe. Since reduction is essentially instantaneous, hearing is protected from intense transients. The nearly instantaneous recovery time of the circuit means no loss of fidelity. Ongoing sounds are natural, so you are never "off the air."

What is "adaptive attenuation?"

Music•PRO circuitry automatically changes output levels as sound input levels change. Hearing is natural, as if nothing is in the ears, until sound exceeds safe levels. As sound levels increase, earplugs gradually provide 9- or 15-dB sound reduction. Natural hearing is restored when sound returns to safe levels.

What makes Music•PRO earplugs high fidelity?

Music•PRO earplugs contain high-definition transducers: balanced-armature drivers, high-sensitivity microphones, and wide-dynamic-range-compression K-AMP® signal processing that includes adaptive compression circuitry. The bandwidth (40 Hz – 16 kHz) is unprecedented, and the sound quality exceeds that of all known electronic earplugs and all modern digital hearing aid devices.

Why does my own voice sometimes sound boomy or hollow?

When eartips do not seal deeply in the ear canal, your voice may sound strange to you. This is known as the occlusion effect, which is caused by sound transmission into the ear from vibration of the ear canal wall when the ear is closed off (occluded) by an eartip. Vibration comes from sound pressure developed in the back of the mouth. The occlusion effect is most commonly caused by vibration from a person’s own voice, especially from speaking the sounds “ee” and “oo,” or from playing a brass or woodwind musical instrument. The occlusion effect is worst when there is a shallow insertion of the eartip. Deeply-sealed eartips reduce the occlusion effect. If this happens consistently, try using other eartips provided with your Music•PRO earplugs to see if you can reduce vibration by achieving a better seal.

What is that funny ticking or motorboating sound I hear in my earplugs?

That sound is called LOBAT™ a special feature that warns you when a battery is at the end of life. The performance of the earplug does not change when that sound is present, and you usually have enough warning that you can change the battery at a convenient time.

Instructions for Use

ON/OFF

MP•9-15 earplugs turn on and off by opening and closing the battery door.
Note: It is not necessary to remove the battery as long as the door is open wide enough to disable the circuit.

Dual-Mode Switch

15-dB Mode

• Natural hearing when sound levels are safe
• Automatic 15-dB sound reduction when sound exceeds safe levels
• Impact sound protection

 
        (switch toward device)

9-dB Mode

• 6-dB enhancement of soft sounds
• Automatic 9-dB sound reduction when sound exceeds safe levels
• Impact sound protection

 
        (switch away from device)

Insertion

Important: Sound quality and noise isolation depend on a good eartip seal.

• Carefully insert the earplug while pulling up and out on the back of the ear.
• Twist and push gently until the eartip seals in the ear canal.
• 3-flange eartip: Moistening eases insertion.
• Foam eartip: Roll down or compress foam eartip before inserting. Hold the eartip in place for about 5 seconds while the foam expands to create a tight seal in the ear canal.
• Glider eartip: Simply push into ear canal.

Removal

Remove the device with a slow twisting motion. Open jaw slightly to equalize pressure, because suction can occur when the eartip is removed.

Care

• Do not expose to extreme temperatures.
• Avoid dropping and strong impact.
• Leave eartip on the earplug for shock protection.
• Clean or replace eartips prior to use by others.

Cleaning and Replacing Eartips

Over time eartips may lose their elasticity. For best performance and retention, replace 3-flange eartips every 60-90 days. Replace foam and glider eartips regularly.

To clean 3-flange eartips:

• Remove the eartip from the earplug.
• Clean with water and mild soap.
• Dry the eartip before placing it back on the earplug.

Changing the Filters

MP•9-15 earplugs have special filters that smooth the frequency response and prevent earwax from entering the device. The filter is located at the end of the earplug and is visible when the eartip is removed. Change the filter if loudness decreases or the sound quality declines.

Note: Filters are not reusable.

Removal

Note: Use the tool to remove the filter.

1. Remove eartip.2. Insert tool into the filter.3. Remove filter and discard.

Replacement

Note: Do not use the tool to replace the filter.

4. Insert a new filter.5. Press gently against a hard    surface to secure it in place.6. Re-attach eartip.Development

Rationale for electronic Musicians Earplugs™

Music is dynamic. It changes in loudness. During riffs or whole sections of a piece or concert, sound varies. There are short intense periods and sometimes loud sound is sustained for minutes. In between there are softer passages.

Music•PRO High-fidelity Electronic Musicians Earplugs were designed for musicians who want to hear soft sounds naturally, but need protection from both loud, sustained passages and sudden loud percussive sounds. Music•PRO earplugs provide hearing protection that activates only when you need it.

High-fidelity passive earplugs provide protection, but do not adapt to changes in loudness. Music•PRO high-fidelity electronic earplugs, designed for music industry professionals, automatically adjust to change. The result is hearing protection when needed and natural hearing the rest of the time.

Description

Music•PRO earplugs combine two versions of Musicians Earplugs in the same device (ER•9 and ER•15). These intelligent, high-fidelity electronic earplugs allow natural hearing for quiet and moderate-level sounds, and provide automatic protection from both, loud sustained music and sudden loud percussive sounds. The soft sounds of music and speech are amplified in the enhancement mode.

While the basic technology in Etymotic's electronic hearing protection is the same, the circuitry is modified for various applications. In the case of the Music•PRO 9-15, the lower threshold knee is higher than in other models so musicians can experience the true dynamics of moderately-loud sounds and still be protected from percussive impact or continuous loud sound.

Each electronic earplug is equipped with a microphone, a wide-dynamic-range-compression integrated circuit and a receiver (speaker or driver). The circuitry identifies progressive increases in sound level and immediately lowers the volume to a safer level up to the maximum output capability of the transducers. Natural hearing is instantaneously restored when sound levels are safe so there is no pumping or perception of being "off the air."

How Music•PRO Earplugs Work

The MP•9-15 earplugs perform different functions depending on input level. For soft and medium-loud sounds they are acoustically transparent — much like having nothing in the ears. As sounds grow louder, they gradually reduce the transmission until they become effectively similar to the passive ER•15 Musicians Earplugs, which provide 15-dB attenuation up to about 120 dB inputs. Most sounds above 120 dB are actually short transients, such as a drummer's rim shot. Peak SPLs above 120 dB are reduced instantly to safe levels by the output limitation of the receivers (speakers in the MP•9-15 units. Because these bursts are so short–on the order of a few milliseconds–the transients are completely safe. More importantly, recovery is essentially instantaneous: hearing is protected from the transient but the sound seems natural because the earplugs recover faster than the ear. The final result is intelligent, high-fidelityactive sound-reduction earplugs that allow the user to hear soft and normal conversation as if nothing is in the ears.

BACKGROUND

Establishing the Gold Standard

Musicians Earplugs™ are the world's best-selling custom high-fidelity earplugs. Over twenty-five years ago, Etymotic's founder, Dr. Mead Killion, participated in a noise study for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which was the impetus for bringing customhigh-fidelity earplugs to market. World-class artists and performers of all music genres use Musicians Earplugs, which come in three levels of protection: 9 dB, 15 dB and 25 dB sound reduction.

Electronic Hearing Protection for Warfighters

In 2009, Etymotic Research developed EB15 BlastPLG® earplugs for deployed military personnel. A high percentage of Warfighters return from theater with hearing loss and tinnitus from not using ear protection because it interferes with situational awareness. In 2011, Etymotic's BlastPLG® Electronic Earplugs received the inaugural Design and Engineering Innovations Award in the Health and Wellness category from the Consumer Electronics Association.

The BlastPLG devices had obvious applications for gun sports, industrial and construction markets. With a presumed application for music, EB15 earplugs were sold to musicians and DJs who played many different genres of music. The reviews were mixed.

Thank you, National Symphony Orchestra Members (you know who you are)

In early 2011, hearing protection was requested by members of the National Symphony Orchestra who were unable to hear accurately while playing in a small orchestra pit during performances of West Side Story at Lincoln Center.

The first thing reported was distortion overload during intense playing and the fact that for moderately loud sound their instruments "disappeared" and they could not judge their balance with the rest of the orchestra. For those reasons, a series of trials with different modifications was initiated.

In the end, the undistorted headroom was raised, the beginning of the compression (lower threshold knee LTK) was changed and the upper end of compression (upper threshold knee UTK) was changed, maintaining undistorted operation at all levels.

• 1 pair MP•9-15 earplugs
• ACCU•Fit eartips
• Flexible neck cord
• Filter tool and ACCU•filters™
• Cleaning tool
• Batteries (#10)
• Protective case
• User manual