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https://youtu.be/2Q17QnFRW8k

This year at SHOT Show we got a sneak peek at Beretta‘s new “Off Shot” hearing protection line. Included in the lineup is active electronic ear pro with bluetooth connectivity, ambient sound amplification, a 32 dB NRR, and impressive [rechargeable] battery life. Oh, and that’s all jammed into a lightweight, in-ear earbud design. It ain’t cheap, but man does it sound awesome on paper.

Starting with the almost-$700 flagship product, we have the Bluetooth-enabled Off Shot ST-W model. All of these earbuds have been designed by a hearing aid manufacturer with many decades of experience, and are supposed to fit the ear flawlessly. The rubbery-foam part that actually goes into the ear canal can be swapped between small, medium, and large to achieve ideal comfort and full NRR.

There is also a smaller, lighter electronic version sans bluetooth (the ST-R) but with all of the other features you’d expect in active electronic ear pro including three different listening programs. All of these models are available in multiple colors and even with custom logos, and are corded not only for electronic purposes but also so they hang conveniently on the neck after removal.

The Mini Headset retails for $59 and offers standard hearing protection without electronics. They’re designed to be lightweight, simple, and extremely comfortable with that same, very-high dB reduction rating.

While I don’t necessarily think a $690 MSRP is out of bounds for what the ST-W and ST-R products are, that’s still a tough pill to swallow. I greatly prefer in-ear ear pro as muffs get uncomfortable on my large, stiff ears and get in the way on some long gun stocks. Digital active electronic earbuds with 32 NRR and bluetooth is extremely appealing. But $690 is a serious investment.

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13 COMMENTS

    • Hmm, with the iPhone dumping the headphone jack, maybe we all should be getting some high end hearing pro that doubles as our music (or audio books for us old folks) consumption. Bet they work great with my shot timer Apps.

  2. If $690 is MSRP, I’m hoping street / mail order would be closer to $500 or so. That would be somewhat more palatable.

    The only issue I have with active in-ear pro is, I can’t double up with passive plugs. Since a lot of my shooting is done in a concrete and steel box, I really want the extra layer.

    • Why can’t you double up? I do it with electronic ear-pro all the time and it works great.

      Electronic muffs plus custom molded ear plugs. Total price about $130 for Walkers and the plugs. Cuts down even guns with a muzzle break to a minimum but you can still hear people talk.

  3. Of course like anything Beretta sells that isn’t a contract handgun or a used contract handgun, they’re unbelievably expensive…

  5. I bought custom fit plugs at Camp Perry one year, really liked them, and the next year they no longer fit, had to be replaced. Is there a means to replace the $50 plug portion without shitcanning the $700 electronics?

    • Most likely yes, contact a local audiologist or place that sells hearing aids, they should be able to make new custom inserts for it…

    • The squishy plug portion is totally swappable. Comes with S, M, and L and they pop on and off and mold themselves to your ear canal. Like most earbuds, really.

  6. I’ll wait until they come down in price a bit. Electronic muffs and custom ear plugs at the same time work fine as long as you don’t turn the muffs up to 100% right before someone lets off a suppressed rifle.

    • That sound should be suppressed by the muffs, though. Nearly all of them block sound above 85 dB and even the quietest suppressed centerfire rifle is going to be north of 120 dB. If they repeat that gunshot through the internal speakers there’s something wrong with them…

    • For that much scratch, it better be jwm’s limos, hookers, booze and blow.

      Hey, TTAG! Request a pair for review, please?

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