Two lossless approaches to hi-fi hearing protection: adjustable precision or set-and-forget clarity.
USE CODE “ALTWIRE” FOR 15% OFF.
Quick Take
Minuendo’s hi-fi lossless earplugs come in two flavors. Their Adjustable model offers a stepless range from −7 to −25 dB, providing musicians and engineers with precise control at a lower cost and reduced setup time. LIVE locks in a fixed 17 dB tuned for concerts and festivals, making it the simpler set-and-forget option. Both keep music natural and ears protected. The choice is between control and ease.
Build & Hardware
Both models share the same chassis: a polymer body with embedded magnets to help them snap together when attached to a lanyard, and a standard nozzle that accommodates a broad range of tips, including five silicone sizes, three foams, and double- and triple-flange options. Each has a hard case and lanyard, and cleaning is straightforward.
The distinction is the lever. Adjustable uses a side slider that adjusts attenuation in real time. LIVE has no moving parts and operates at a -17 dB reduction.
Fit & Comfort
Thanks to the included tips, a good seal was easily found. Foam provided the deepest cut, while silicone flanges leaned toward a natural tone. Both held across long sessions.
Where they split is occlusion. The adjustable has a moderate occlusion effect when pushed toward maximum attenuation, while LIVE stays more transparent, making it easier to forget they are in. Preferences in comfort varied compared to competitor options: one tester chose Minuendo because he struggled to find a good fit with Loop earplugs, while another preferred Loop’s fit and comfort.
Sound-wise, the first tester consistently felt the Loop made audio less sharp and introduced more occlusion than the LIVE, while the LIVE strongly avoided this effect. Our research for this article revealed that this may not be an isolated case. Hearing Advisor measured the Loop Switch 2 with a sound quality score of 2.6 versus LIVE’s 5.0.
Acoustic Performance At The Show
- Adjustable: At lighter settings, the sound stayed clear and balanced. Beyond halfway and past LIVE’s settings, the treble softened, the vocals lost some edge, and the stage presence felt slightly muted.
- LIVE: Being fixed at 17 dB felt like the perfect fit for the sound. The tuning felt balanced, vocals stayed sharp, and crowd chatter dipped into the background.
The difference was evident at the Coheed and Cambria / Taking Back Sunday show. LIVE was invisible: chatter faded, guitars and vocals stayed forward, and nothing needed adjusting. The adjustable model took a minute of fiddling, but it was good to go once our testers found the best setting. After hours of loud music, my ears didn’t ring afterward, and I only had a sore voice from singing.
Comparisons
- Loop Experience 2: Based on Hearing Advisor testing, Loop falls short in sound quality. The testing site graded Loop’s sound quality at 2.6 compared to LIVE’s 5.0.
- Lossless vs. LIVE: Flexibility versus immediacy. Lossless for those who tweak, LIVE for those who do not.
Pros & Cons
Both models succeed, but in different ways. The Adjustable earns its keep with a wide −7 to −25 dB range, and precise fidelity at lighter settings. Its trade-offs are price, some treble softening at maximum reduction, and the need to find the correct slider position based on preference.
The LIVE is the opposite: a fixed 17 dB attenuation tuned for concerts, low occlusion, and strong lab scores that confirm what your ears already hear. Its simplicity is its strength.
Endgültiges Urteil
Both models land in different lanes, but deliver in testing. Adjustable will excel for working musicians and engineers who must precisely shape their listening environment. It takes a moment to dial in, but the attenuation range and consistency make it a reliable tool once set. LIVE is the easier companion: fixed, clear, and unobtrusive, the plug you throw in before a show and forget about until you take it out.
Neither option may be the cheapest on the market, but they justify that by outperforming competitors, especially in a concert setting. Both offer natural sound and meaningful protection when used for concerts, rehearsals, and the day-to-day noise that wears on ears over time. The choice comes down to personality: if you adjust, tweak, and control, go adjustable. If you would rather keep it simple, go with LIVE.
