The OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA Hearing Protector Review – 2024

Hearing protection is one of those things that of course is a must, but for whatever reason, shooters are often prone to go cheap when it comes to protecting your hearing. Some people feel satisfied with just using regular earplugs or ear protectors made for jobs such as lawn mowing, which have their limits when it comes to ear protection.

As a shooter, you need to keep in mind that spending money on protecting your hearing for shooting, is the smartest move that you will make. Even beyond the money that you can spend on your guns, optics, and other accessories. Guns, optics, and accessories you can replace, your hearing is irreplaceable. Once you lose it, it’s gone for good.

To this end, we want to introduce to you an incredible piece of equipment that by far is the best hearing protectors that I have worn at the range or whenever I’m out shooting for fun. Enter the OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA Electric over-the-ear style hearing protectors.

You can view the current price of the Otto NoizeBarriers here.

20 Second Quick Takeaway:

First off, the noise reduction is seriously impressive. I’ve worn other ear protection before and still felt like I could hear most of the surrounding noise, but not with these bad boys. They completely block out all the harmful sounds, while still allowing you to hear conversations or commands from others with impressive clarity. Plus, they’re super comfortable to wear – I was worried that they’d feel heavy or bulky, but they’re actually really lightweight and don’t put any pressure on my head or ears.

One thing I particularly love about the OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA Hearing Protector is that they’re rechargeable. No more buying and constantly replacing the batteries, which can get pretty pricey! And the battery life is really impressive – I’ve worn them for several hours at a time and never had them die on me. Overall, I’d highly recommend the OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA Hearing Protector.

Features & Benefits at a Glance:

• Volume-adjustable situational awareness microphones give accurate sound localization in order to enhance the user experience.

• The Noise amplification allows for your hearing to intensify. Because of the integrated microphones, it also heightens barely audible low sounds in order to help you hear important noises better, while tactically moving or if you are at the range.

• The active volume feature allows you to reduce extra loud noises to a safe level to your ears without any clipping or shutting down of situational awareness when impulse noises are present.

• Offers a noise reduction rating of 23dB.

• The ear seals snap in place for easy replacement when in use, without the need to use any tools.

• The unit provides a talk time of 72 hours with just 2 AAA batteries.

• Auto idle shut down feature after 2 hours of idle time in order to preserve battery life.

• Unit available colors: Black, Flat Dark Earth, and Olive Drab Green.

• One size fits all and Unisex

Build & Quality

The OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA’s design is military-inspired, based on the OTTO’s NoizeBarrier’s TAC model. They certainly can be worn for military use, but without a doubt, NoizeBarrier’s are the premier headsets for true firearm professionals and enthusiasts.

They look very similar to traditional-style headset hearing protectors, but with just an extra touch of quality and forward thought. When I first saw them online, I thought they were going to be the same hearing protectors as any other, but boy was I wrong.

One thing that I thought would be a drawback was the battery compartment on either side of the headsets being a bit bulky compared to the ear protectors that I had been using for a while now. However, after using them while shooting rifles, shooting in matches and training events, all summer long they are absolutely super comfortable to wear.

The OTTO NoizeBarrier’s have definitely held up amazingly well during the few months that I have been using them so far.

Battery Life & Battery Compartments

Since using them for the last few months, I have only had to replace the batteries once. They do take 2 AAA batteries, one on each ear cup. As mentioned, in the Features & Benefits above, they are supposed to get 72 hours worth of talk time. I am not completely sure if I did get that amount of talk time or not before I had to replace the lithium batteries, but it was certainly quite a while before I had to replace the batteries.

Each battery compartment is covered by a rubber gasket lid that is easy to remove and put back on. This lid also helps with waterproofing your batteries, which is certainly a plus.

There are two activation plus and minus volume buttons just right below the battery compartment on each side. I did find that for both sides of the battery compartment, there are two little tabs that hold the battery in. You just have to make sure that you align the gasket, this little gasket on the edge on the outside of that tab as you kind of go in and then press in. Make sure that you’re on the other side of the little tab, and then the rest of it just presses right in.

Communication Capabilities

There are two threaded receptacles on the bottom on each side where you can integrate radio communication like a boom, which the boom simply secures to. There is another little port that takes a two prong plug as pictured below:

This will not only allow for plugging in a communication’s headset but also to plug it into a radio, mp3 player, or any other type of audio device and enjoy music, hear radio communications. And of course protect your hearing all at the same time, which I thought was pretty cool.

Sound Quality

The two microphones on each side pick up stereo audio, as picture on the right. I’m going to have to say that not only the comfort of these headsets sold me, but the audio quality as well. These babies’ sound amazing and much better than other headsets I have tried in the past, and believe me, I have tried many. They provide what’s called “360 Degree Situational Awareness” which I don’t know how they do that, but let me tell you it actually works. The way it works is if the microphones are facing forward and if there is something behind you making noise. You can actually hear that the sound is coming from behind you as opposed to just the sound coming in, but you’re not being sure from what direction. So sound on your left will come in on your left ear cup and sound coming from the right will go in the right ear cup and clear stereo sound. I think it is a very cool feature and in my opinion they improve your hearing while you are wearing them.

Of course, all other audio is amplified in normal fashion as other types of hearing amplifiers on the market do. The difference with the Otto is that unlike other headsets, when a loud noise is generated the headset just turns off briefly and the comes back on. Whereas, the Otto’s smartly know how to filter out the loud noises such has gunshots while still being able to hear more quiet sounds such as conversations. I have to say, I’m pretty impressed by these.

Headband and Comfort

The over the headband is a standard band that has a rubber coating over it and has a heavy-duty cup under the rubber coating that goes from cup to cup in order to give the cord extra protection. One negative of the headset is that it doesn’t come with an over the head pad, but you can buy pretty much any pad aftermarket and place it around the headband with no problem.

Another point with regard to the headband is that it is made of flexible metal so you can actually shape and bend the headband according to your comfort needs which is pretty nice. This is especially helpful when you are doing active movement, and you want to tighten it up a bit. Or if you are in a situation where you need to loosen them up you can easily do that as well.

Each side also has metal frames where you can easily slide the ear cups up and down about an inch or so to help you get that perfect fit. It also has capabilities to attach the headsets to a helmet if that is what you are looking for.

Ear cups and Overall Design

The ear cups are an o shape and easily pop off and pop back in. They are also labeled with the word “Top” to signal where the top of the ring goes and where the bottom goes. The cups also come with a removable foam filter under them, which you can wash without any problems. Of course, right under the foam pad is the speaker where you hear sound from.

Conclusion:

Overall, I’d highly recommend the OTTO NoizeBarrier Range SA Hearing Protector. Whether you’re a shooter, a hunter, or just someone who needs some peace and quiet while working from home or traveling, these ear protectors are a top-notch choice. They’re reliable, comfortable, and seriously effective – what’s not to love? Click image below if you would like to get your own pair from OpticsPlanet.com and get Free Shipping on Orders of $49+