In a world of sound-alike ear protection, the Axil GS Extreme 2.0 might change your tune.
The world of hearing protection doesn’t change very often. In a world where the market constantly grows, it’s still rare to see a change in your basic PPE. However, a little company known as Axil has been making big moves in the world of ear protection. The latest, the GS Extreme 2.0, might be the best earplugs on the market. This is coming from a guy who prefers earmuffs over plugs.
Why the GS 2.0 Extreme Earplugs Stand out
First, they are very low profile and very small. They go in the ears instead of over and provide plenty of protection for firing a handgun or even a rifle or shotgun. The only time they’d feel underwhelming is when you lay down some lead in an indoor rifle range, but you’ll be forced to double up regardless of the protection type.
They provide 29 dB of noise reduction when using the foam tips. They do also come with silicone tips that reduce sound by 19 dB. The foam tips provide a ton of protection. Enough protection that they match the majority of consumer ear muffs, even though they are just earplugs.
They are incredibly comfortable. At the ends of each earplug sits a piece of moldable material that allows you to mold the earplug for a proper fit around your ears. This ensures they stay secure and tight. This prevents them from dropping out when shooting dynamically and training hard.
Additionally, the GS 2.0 Extreme earplugs tend to be less bulky and lighter weight than low-profile earplugs. Both factors increase comfort, especially in hot environments where ear muffs make you sweat and get a little miserable in 101-degree heat.
Going Electronic
Lots of protection, but also an electronic element worth noting. The GS 2.0 Extreme earplugs offer you two options. One setting allows you to hear the environment around you and even amplify the environment. This allows you to do a few things. First, it keeps your situational awareness high at the range. You can hear range commands, which can vary from basic commands at any range to competition commands which might be more precise and demanding.
From a learning point of view, if you take classes, the ability to hear your instructor can be invaluable. You’re paying to hear them talk and teach, and not being able to hear them is an absolute waste of money. The GS 2.0 Extreme provides you with that capability. The sound through this amplification method is crisp, clear, and easily understandable. When using the amplification mode, the battery lasts for 25 hours.
Bluetooth Ready
The GS 2.0 Extreme earplugs have a secondary mode that allows you to connect to any Bluetooth device to transmit audio easily. They can connect to your phone for taking calls or even listening to music, podcasts, etc. I like listening to a little music on my solo range days, and these earplugs allow it.
The audio is so crisp and clear these have become my go-to headphones. Seriously, why not? I take them on flights, on runs, and more. On runs, in particular, I run both modes. Oh, did I mention you can run Bluetooth and hearing enhancement at the same time? This allows me to listen to my audio of choice while maintaining total situational awareness.
I carry when I run, and I used to keep one headphone out or not even listen to music. I can run, jam, and not worry about something sneaking up on me with this combo. If I run Bluetooth only, I get 9 hours of use. If I run hearing enhancement and Bluetooth, I get 8 hours. Not bad for a little rechargeable internal battery.
Changing Minds and Saving Ears
I’ve always been an ear-muff kind of guy. Before the GS 2.0 Extreme, I figured that muffs offered the most protection, the clearest audio, and Bluetooth reception. After a few weeks of training and practicing with the Axil GS 2.0 Extreme headphones, I’m a believer, a true believer at that. These are my go-to headphones for shooting, running, and even just cleaning the house. Rarely has a set of ear pro gone so far.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA-certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms-based hobbies.
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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travis Pike and the CrossBreed Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
I am currently serving in the VTANG as the Medical Group Commander, so I take hearing protection seriously and figure I can trust a former Marine! My question relates to any experience you might have using the Axil GS Extreme with a handheld radio/walkie-talkie. I hunt with friends, and (see my note on hearing protection above) I usually walk in the woods wearing Beretta gunshot-canceling over-the-ear muffs. But since I want to be able to hear our hunting party (and not have the wildlife listen in), I end up with an earbud in my ear under the muff with that extra set of wires with a separate PTT switch and mike running to my Garmin Rino. I would love to shed the muffs and find earbuds that both noise cancel the gunshot and can work with a bluetooth enabled radio. Unfortunately, listening to your phone on bluetooth and using a walkie-talkie with a bluetooth earbud is a little different, particularly in the talking to the radio part (eg, need a PTT switch?). Do you have any sense of whether these would accomplish that? If so, any particular bluetooth radio you’ve run them with?
Thank you.