What do concertgoers, musicians, audio engineers, music photographers, and those dealing with snoring partners have in common? That’s right, they should all use earplugs!
I bought my first pair of earplugs when I was in my early twenties. I was working in a factory during summer holidays and playing in a heavy metal band two or three times a week.
Luckily, some of my bandmates, who were old and wise, recommended I use earplugs to preserve my hearing during those long working hours and rehearsals. I haven’t looked back since.
Earplugs today can effectively reduce the volume of your environment while preserving its natural sonic characteristics, and a great example of this great technology are the Minuendo Lossless Earplugs.
These are state-of-the-art earplugs designed to allow all frequencies through, meaning they can be a great solution for a variety of users who want a realistic sound but at lower volumes.
Today, I’ll give you my take on these unique earplugs, who should buy them, and why.
Final verdict on the Minuendo Earplugs
The Minuendo Earplugs should be part of every music professional’s toolkit, as well as an inseparable companion of concertgoers who want to lower the volume without compromising the sonic experience.
A stepless attenuation between ‑7 dB and ‑25 dB empowers the listener with total control over their surroundings’ volume, and while they do alter the sound slightly (especially on the higher end), their level of accuracy is undoubtedly very good.
However, the stepless system makes it more time-consuming to carefully calibrate both earplugs to the same level. That’s a double-edged sword if you ask me.
They’re more affordable than custom molds but by no means cheap. Many musicians on a budget would probably opt for more basic ear protectors that sacrifice customization options, and I wouldn’t blame them for that.
That said, for music professionals and lovers who want to protect their ears and still enjoy a high-fidelity experience, the Minuendo Earplugs are a one-of-a-kind piece of gear worth trying out.
What I like
- Stepless attenuation adjustment between 7 dB and 25 dB.
- Pristine audio quality.
- Great comfort.
What I don’t like
- Price.
- Stepless attenuation makes it more time-consuming to adjust volume levels.
Why you should trust me
I’m a musician, sound engineer, and record label owner. As a result, I’ve tried all sorts of earplugs over the years, from the ones worth a couple of bucks to the high-end, $100-plus options.
Whether on stage, behind the deck, or simply while watching a concert, you do need to protect your ears if you want to enjoy music for years to come.
There are many things we tend to ignore when we’re young, so now that I’m not so young anymore, I feel I should recommend the best gear available to preserve musicians’ hearing and enhance every music-related experience.
Build and design 4.5
Designed in Norway, the Minuendo earplugs exude a Scandinavian “vibe,” meaning they feature a utilitarian, minimalist design that focuses on usability and practicality. They’re small, light, and don’t feel as technologically advanced as they actually are.
Aesthetically, the only part that stands out is the lever on both earplugs, which allows you to adjust the tension of a membrane within the earplug and mitigate sounds from outside.
The earplugs come with a connecting cord and a set of different tips you can use to find the perfect fit for your ears.
The magnetic locking system is a nice touch, and I’d imagine professional DJs loving it: with the connecting cord, you can easily place the earplugs around your neck whenever you don’t need them while keeping them always with you.
At first, they might look and feel cheap, but they’re nothing but. These earplugs are simply designed to be as minimalist and unobtrusive as possible while offering professional ear protection and a transparent sound experience.
Comfort 5.0
Once you find the perfect tip for you, the Minuendo Earplugs feel extremely comfortable even after hours of use, to the point that you might compare them with the more expensive, custom-made options.
The 11 pairs of different tips that come with the earplugs should offer enough customization to satisfy most people’s needs. Personally, I had no issues finding one that fit my ears perfectly.
Their lightweight and no-nonsense design makes them ideal for heavy-duty use like festivals, intense rehearsals, DJ sets, or any other noisy environment you can think of.
Given they offer an almost completely natural frequency response, wearing them won’t strain your ears; on the contrary, it’ll make you wonder how you managed to preserve your hearing until now!
Sound attenuation 5.0
Typically, earplugs either have a membrane filter tuned to a specific dB attenuation or come with ports or vents to provide variable attenuation. Minuendo earplugs uniquely combine both methods.
Each earplug has a lever that adjusts the tension of a six-micron-thick membrane; furthermore, the lever also interacts with a secondary slit to achieve a realistic sound across the adjustable dB range.
The result is a uniquely transparent frequency response that can elevate the work of audio engineers or simply make a loud concert more enjoyable.
As far as I’m aware, there are no other non-custom-made earplugs that offer this type of performance, which makes the Minuendo earplugs a perfect option for those looking for this kind of ear protection and accuracy without getting a custom-made model.
If you’re a professional audio engineer, you might be interested in knowing whether the Minuendo Earplugs are actually 100% transparent.
As Fabio pointed out in our recent video, high frequencies appear to be mitigated at high levels of attenuation, and while I don’t feel like this is a critical issue, professional users should take this into account when using them in situations when accuracy is paramount.
All in all, the Minuendo Earplugs work magnificently in most settings, offer a unique approach to ear protection and sound attenuation, and can be a great option for those who want more than standard earplugs but can’t invest in custom-made gear.
Compared to other earplugs
While the Minuendo Lossless Earplugs are some of the best premium earplugs available on today’s market, here are a few other options that are worth considering.
Minuendo Earplugs vs Eargasm Earplugs
At roughly $50, the Eargasm Earplugs are an affordable and valid option for those looking for budget-friendly yet performing earplugs.
They’re comfortable, reduce volume by up to 21 dB, and deliver a transparent frequency response that’ll satisfy the needs of professionals and music lovers alike.
However, they do not offer adjustable attenuation, so if that’s what you’re after, the Minuendo Earplugs are your best bet.
Minuendo Earplugs vs dBud Earplugs
Slightly more expensive than the Eargasm and about half the price of the Minuendo, the dBud Earplugs offer two levels of attenuation (-12 dB and -24 dB) and award-winning acoustic filtering that leaves nothing to chance.
While not offering the same level of sound customization as the Minuendo’s earplugs, the dBud model provides excellent accuracy at a reasonable price.
Minuendo Earplugs vs custom molded earplugs
The next level of ear protection is having an earplug custom-molded to fit your ears perfectly. It’s an expensive option but one that can preserve your hearing while guaranteeing a perfect frequency response.
I’d recommend this option to artists and audio professionals who are afraid of developing or already suffer from hearing issues like tinnitus. Custom molded earplugs can prolong your career and help you enjoy doing what you love, so in some cases, they’re definitely worth the investment.
Who are the Minuendo Lossless Earplugs best suited for?
DJs, musicians, live-music enthusiasts, and overall anyone who wants to preserve sonic accuracy in noisy environments will love the Minuendo Lossless Earplugs.
The ability to customize the attenuation level makes them a unique option on the market, but also one that comes with a heftier price tag than most non-custom-made models.
However, if you want to preserve a natural, almost untouched frequency response while lowering the volume of the outside world, these earplugs are the best option on the market right now.
See current price at: AmazonThomannVideo demo
Watch this video by my colleague Fabio, where he puts the Minuendo Lossless Earplugs to the test.
Recent updates
- May 29, 2024: I’ve updated the text for accuracy, fixed the wording, and improved the structure to suit the latest standard.
- November 6, 2023: I published the original review based on my experience with the tested earplugs and offered a comparison against similar models.
Thank you! Minuendo Earplugs vs dBud Earplugs: what are the best in accuracy of sounds? Thanks!
Hi Cristiano! The Minuendo Earplugs feel more accurate when listening to music, as they have a more customizable and nuanced noise attenuation. The dBuds are great for live performers, and all in all, offer a better value for money (they cost less than half than the Minuendo). In short: Minuendo if you’re a concertgoer or have the budget to make the investment, dBuds if you go on stage or can’t spend $100+ on earplugs.