We recently received a set of Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds and were excited to finally try them out. We had never used Earbuds at the shooting range before. We were already familiar with the Walker’s brand and had a lot of fun with the Firemax Digital Muff active hearing protectors last year. We were all the more curious to see how the Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds would compare.
We have always been enthusiastic about music, and hearing protection and the long-term preservation of our hearing have always been very important to us. Even in our youth, when we played loud metal in garage bands, we were lucky to have parents who insisted on custom-made Earbuds. Given the deafening noise we produced for hours, they probably would have benefited from it themselves.
Today, most of the noise we experience no longer comes from amplifiers, but from shooting at steel targets at the shooting range. This makes it all the more pleasing how many modern “active” or electronic hearing protection solutions are now available on the market.
Silence is golden
The Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds are among the latest models in the Suppressor series. Thanks to Bluetooth, they are not only intended for use on the shooting range, but also ideal for everyday use – for listening to music or making phone calls. The Bluetooth range and stability are excellent, as is the sound quality.
The in-ear hearing protection is impressive in that it offers classic functions of high-quality consumer earbuds on a par with products from well-known brands – while at the same time providing real hearing protection with a noise reduction of 25 dB.
The packaging also makes a high-quality impression: an elegantly designed magnetic box with a viewing window. Included are instructions and app QR code, a charging and storage case, a cleaning brush, various ear tips, a charging cable and a small lanyard.
Earbuds
Right out of the box, the slim, modern design of the Earbuds is striking. The two units are clearly marked with “L” and “R” – a small detail that is extremely helpful in everyday use. Surprisingly many products do without this or make the marking barely visible. This is a real advantage, especially in stressful situations or poor lighting conditions. Sometimes it’s the little things.
The matte black Earbuds feels robust and impresses with its edgy, modern design. Several sizes of rubberized earplugs are included for the fit. The correct fit is crucial to ensure that the hearing protection sits securely and the noise attenuation functions optimally.
The rubberized “hook” area of each in-ear sits comfortably in the ear. Even when moving, training or slinging the rifle, we had no problems with slipping or snagging.
Charging Cradle
The sturdy plastic charging cradle also serves as a protective and charging unit. Simply open, insert the hearing protection, close – and it charges automatically. A red LED lights up during the charging process and turns off when charging is complete. Practical: A small cleaning brush is integrated in the case, with which the hearing protection can be quickly cleaned after use.
The case is charged via the micro-USB port on the side with the included cable. The charging cradle makes a very robust and intuitive impression overall. According to the manufacturer, up to 5 hours of Bluetooth streaming or up to 13.5 hours of use as hearing protection is possible. We have never worn the in-ear hearing protection for so long at a stretch, but were able to easily confirm these runtimes over several uses – both in everyday life and at the shooting range.
Use and functions
To switch on, press the touch-sensitive surface with the Walker’s logo for a few seconds. A signal tone and the voice output “Walkers” confirm the successful start. The volume can be adjusted by swiping up or down.
Four sound modes can be selected via the right in-ear by double-tapping:
- Universal: uniform attenuation of all frequencies
- Clear Voice: optimizes speech intelligibility and attenuates impulsive noises such as shots
- Power Boost: amplifies ambient noise, but regulates dangerous volume peaks
- High Frequency Boost: emphasizes high frequencies, ideal for hearing the “ringing” of steel targets better at greater distances
When listening to music, tracks can be changed, paused and calls can be controlled – all via simple tap and key combinations. This requires a short familiarization period, but then works very intuitively.
In use – both on the shooting range and in everyday life – the Earbuds reliably dampened loud, sudden noises. It is comfortable, unobtrusive and absolutely reliable. In addition, the full potential can be exploited via the app.
The app is clear, modern and easy to use. We found the auto-off function particularly practical, which can be set to two, four or six hours and effectively saves battery.
Technical data (excerpt)
- Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy (LE)
- Two omnidirectional microphones per in-ear
- Four sound modes: Universal, Clear Voice, High Frequency, Power Boost
- High-resolution speakers
- Instant, sound-activated compression for hearing protection
- Noise reduction: 25 dB NRR
- Various ear tips for comfort and optimal fit
- Control via the Walker’s Link 4.0 app
- Battery status for in-ears and charging case in the app
- Charging cradle with up to three full additional charges (up to 36 hours in total)
- Up to 5 hours of Bluetooth streaming
- Auto-off function
- IP54 dust and splash-proof
- USB-C charging cable
Conclusion
After several weeks of use, the Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds have proven to be excellent Earbuds and an extremely effective solution for protecting hearing. We particularly appreciate the comfort of being able to do without classic earmuffs – especially when precision shooting and with a clean stop without a silencer.
The sound quality is impressive both for music and phone calls. Whether training, working with power tools or at the shooting range, the Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds are versatile. Being able to answer calls without removing the hearing protection is a real added value.
Battery life and charging cradle are convincing and make the overall package very well-rounded. With a RRP of $249.99, the Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds offer a coherent price-performance ratio in view of their versatility and performance.
Earbuds
Do you also use in-ear hearing protection? Then please share your experiences with us as feedback.
