As someone who often frequents concerts and noisy environments, earplugs have become an essential part of my kit. When I came across the Minuendo LIVE 17dB earplugs, I was curious to see if they lived up to their claims.

I’ve previously reviewed the Minuendo Adjustable Earplugs and I also own a bunch of other earplugs from different brands, so I was keen to see how they compared.

Please note that Minuendo provided me with a free sample of these in order to test them out. However, my opinions are my own and I am honestly explaining my thoughts in this review.

Sound Quality

One of the standout features of the Minuendo LIVE 17dB earplugs is their ability to maintain the natural sound quality. Unlike basic earplugs that tend to muffle sound, the filters on these earplugs are more sophisticated and retain the quality of the sound better, which is great when you’re trying to stay in the zone while playing music or at a concert.

I’ve been quite impressed by these earplugs in this regard. However, they’re not the only musician’s earplugs on the market that have decent filters.

Noise Isolation

With a 17 dB attenuation, these earplugs offer pretty good noise reduction for loud environments, but it’s not as much as lots of other earplugs on the market.

I personally have pretty bad tinnitus and my hearing is very sensitive, so when I’m going to festivals I’ll probably reach for earplugs that offer higher noise reduction than this, but I suspect that 17 dB will be a sufficient amount of noise reduction for many music lovers that want to reduce the volume without feeling completely isolated from their environment.

In contrast, the Minuendo Adjustable Earplugs have up to 25 dB of noise reduction at their maximum setting. However, they are more expensive and they feel bulkier to wear in comparison to lots of other earplugs on the market too.

It’s very much a matter of preference regarding how much noise reduction you really need.

Comfort and Fit

Finding the right fit with earplugs can be tricky, but the Minuendo package includes 11 sets of ear tips made from memory foam and silicone. Whether you have small ear canals or need a snugger fit for active use, there’s likely an option that will work for you.

I love that Minuendo offers a wide variety of tips with their earplugs. I often find it really difficult to fit universal earplugs in my right ear in particular. It’s great to have lots of different tips to choose from and these fit quite nicely in my ears.

Design

These earplugs are well-designed and they look pretty cool, though they feel plasticky. They don’t feel heavy when you wear them which is a plus. I also really like the logo and the colors—they give the earplugs a nice touch of style.

Their magnetized design lets them stick together when stored, minimizing the risk of losing them. I really like this feature.

That said, not everyone is going to love the design. They look a bit like earphones, which could be offputting for some people. They are also a little bigger than a lot of other earplugs out there, so they’re not super discreet.

They also might be a tad too big to fit in your wallet (I usually keep a pair of earplugs in my wallet!). You’ll probably end up using the carry case they come with and just tossing it in your jacket pocket or bag.

Accessories

There is also a nice compact carry case included that you can fit in your jacket or bag whenever it’s needed. This is pretty useful, as you should always have your earplugs with you because you never know when you’re going to need them.

These certainly aren’t the cheapest earplugs out there, so it’s nice that Minuendo includes a leash so you’re less likely to lose them.

Alternatives to the Minuendo LIVE 17dB

There are much more affordable universal musicians’ earplugs out there also suited for musicians. These might do the job for you. Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs and Alpine MusicSafe Pro are two great options that both have decent filters.

Also, once you’re getting into this price range of the Minuendo LIVE 17dbs, it might be worth putting a bit of extra money into it and consider getting custom-molded musicians’ earplugs with filters instead.

Verdict

The Minuendo LIVE 17dB earplugs excel in maintaining natural sound quality while offering comfortable and customizable fit options. Despite being fairly expensive and offering moderate noise reduction, they are a decent choice for those who prioritize sound fidelity.

I’m honestly in two minds about these earplugs. I think they are pretty well-designed and they probably have a target market for music lovers that want to reduce the volume but not be completely isolated from their environment. However, they wouldn’t be my first choice to recommend due to their price, design, and only moderate noise reduction.

If you have the budget, they are worth considering, but there are cheaper alternatives that might suffice.