Isotunes

[MW24]

Evening all,

I'm looking for hearing protection, for use with power tools, table saw etc.

I'm sick of my standard ear defenders getting in the way or interfering with my safety glasses or mask, so looking for something in ear instead. I've used the moldex rocket style plugs, and though work fairly well, they aren't the most comfortable and the neck cord still gets in the way.

The ability to have background music or similar has perked my interest and I've been looking at the Isotune Free 2.0.

https://isotunes.co.uk/products/isotunes-free-2-0-en352

10% off at the minute which is enticing, but I see the reviews are somewhat mixed. Has anyone used them or anything similar for that matter?

 

[sneggysteve]

Try searching isotunes - this has been discussed many times here

 

[MW24]

Thanks for the pointer. Hadn't tried searching, which is my bad.

I shall see what I can find.

 

[fleyh]

If you decide to buy Isotunes - be prepared to return them.

I own Isotunes XTRA (also in ear) and use them as an ornament to remind me of an expensive mistake.

Compared to the yellow earmuffs I bought from Toolstation for under £3 some years ago, the XTRA ticks all the wrong boxes:

• They are uncomfortable (for me)
• They take ages to fit in ear properly
  • I can put my yellow earmuffs on and off 20 times during the same interval it takes to fit my Isotunes once
• Their noise isolation is nowhere near the yellow earmuffs
  ​

Your ears may have better compatibility with in-ear Isotunes, but real life noise isolation is unlikely to be on par with any over-the-ear model. So you have to decide what is more precious to you – your hearing or slight discomfort.

 

[MW24]

You make a good point on how expensive they are, probably why I've been so hesitant.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, very valuable first hand experience.

 

[Sideways]

If you decide to buy Isotunes - be prepared to return them.

I should have done.
Different model but all the same complaints. Too uncomfortable. Too hard to get a fit. Flimsy for the money. Too loud - I bought them to wear at night to listen to sound to mask my tinnitus, but at least with my phone, the minimum volume is actually too loud for very quiet environments.

 

[Jamesc]

I was bought a pair of Isotunes a few years ago. Like others I have been very disapointed.
Poor sound isolation, poor bluetooth connectivity (random pops and buzzing. and poor playback volume.
Combine the two above and I could barely hear my music.
I have just bought a pair of 3M Worktunes Connect. They are light and day better.

 

[robgul]

Probably about a year ago lots of YouTubers were extolling the virtues of ISOtunes products having been given them for free in return for promo (a bit like the ubiquitous Ecoflow power things) . . . not seen them in use for a while . . .
My Stanley ear-defenders are light, comfortable, effective and well-priced - I have no desire to have music in them - I do have a mini-Alexa in the workshop for when the defenders are off.

 

[Windows]

I use isotunes over ear headphones. The noise isolation is not as good as my musically-incapable muffs, but it’s OK. The max volume of the audio is low through the headphones. I have good hearing and like to listen at low volume, so it’s loud enough for me, but I’m still surprised by how quiet it is. Audio quality isn’t great, but it’s acceptable given the context that I use them in. I’m not thrilled, but don’t regret my purchase. I could see people being disappointed if they were expecting audio quality as good as you get with eg Sennheiser closed headphones, but with better sound exclusion. They’re not like that. Yes, better isolation, but worse audio quality to go with it.

 

[MW24]

Thank you all for your honest opinions and advice. I will gladly take heed and stick to the tried and tested. Seems I may have dodged an expensive mistake, so thank you again.

 

[Ollie78]

I just buy a big tub of the yellow 3m foam ones every few years. As a glasses wearer I dont like the over ear ones as they squish against my ears and the arms of the glasses.

Why not try some cheap chinese noise cancelling earbuds I notice Festool are even doing some now (obviously not cheap).
They mostly have a pass through button when you need to talk to someone.
I recently bought a pair of chinese made in ear monitors (wired ones for home use) for pretty cheap and the sound is superb. So I would think you could get some cheap enough to be worth a try out.