Shure - AONIC 4

Yeah, I've had mine for over a decade. I did upgrade to the Shure Aonic4s a couple years ago and it's a huge improvement in sound quality and sound space. They used to be $350 but you can now get them for under $200. Highly recommend.

Can't go wrong with a pair of Shure 215s. They block out a significant amount of external noise so you don't have to crank your volume to play along with songs. I have the Aonic4s also. It's definitely a step up in sound quality and sound scape, but also an extra $100-150. Their cables hold up for a long time as well, My first one lasted over 10 years.

Hey there, I am a drummer, gun enthusiast, and ride a motorcycle daily. Hearing protection is something I am DEEPLY passionate about. It absolutely matters which one you use. Anyone who tells you otherwise is giving their personal anecdotal preference. Drumming can exceed 90dB. Being exposed to that for more than 30 minutes can lead to temporary hearing loss. That ringing in your ears after playing without hearing protection? That’s trauma. Your ears will lose function if you abuse them like that over time. Occasionally playing without hearing pro is fine, but it can be avoided. Firstly, noise isolation, active noise cancelling, and turning up the volume is not hearing protection. AirPods, beats, skull candy brands do not offer hearing protection. Hearing protection will completely seal your ears. Thankfully you can buy filters that change how much of a dB reduction occurs such with these https://www.earpeace.com/products/music-pro. Or you can find hearing protection that is designed to play music like traditional headphones. https://ads.palmettostatearmory.com/walkers-game-ear-25-db-silencer-ear-buds-matte-gwpslcr.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1061029106&gbraid=0AAAAAD2kSbg-qQDwwfrWbDVaqXBPe7pwO&gclid=CjwKCAjw89jGBhB0EiwA2o1On4UGcbHawX60pV3i_qqULt1r1FliVqwVGDSk7YmNoFRbnXkTD3-02RoC94gQAvD_BwE something like this tells you the reduction in dB it offers. AND they still function as headphones. Music retains its highest quality over a wired connection. Anything wireless or Bluetooth will have a reduction in music playback audio quality (I listen to lossless), and there will be latency. After a ton of research I decided to purchase the Shure SE215 IEMs (in ear monitors). https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/earphones/se215?variant=SE215-CL these (when fitted properly and with the correct tips) can see a reduction of up to 37dB. Even cooler than that? The Shure Aionic uses the exact same IEM drivers and puts it on a Bluetooth platform if you wanna go that route. https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/earphones/aonic215?variant=SE21DYBK%252BTW2 The best possible solution is to have custom fitted IEMs from an audiologist, they are pricey and worth the investment. Most comfortable thing you will ever place in your ear. These are some examples that show protecting your ears does not have to mean stuffing orange foam in them. And cracking the volume on a pair of AirPods with ANC until you barely hear the drums is just as harmful as shouting in your own ear. If you want to enjoy the same range of audio without tinnitus driving you mad in your golden years, please invest in a quality hearing protection. I use those Shure products for both practice, and recording. There are many more options out there. Take the information people share with you here with skepticism and research some more on your own. It’s your own hearing on the line. Good luck! And reach out if you have more questions.