In the modern land of electronic ear protection there’s really three camps: the entry-level protection for casual shooters, the mid-level items for heavier volume shooters and the premium-priced, top-of-the line gear for professionals and those who closely guard their health. While the entry level will always be dominated by the least expensive options, WarBird has opted to provide a higher quality product aimed at the more serious shooter who needs a higher level of protection and functionality. Does the Intrepid BT achieve the standard needed to fight for market space? Read on..
Tech Specs:
- Bluetooth Enabled
- NRR 23dB
- Two Omnidirectional Microphones
- Full Dynamic Range HD Speakers for Clear, Balanced Sound (40mm, 20 ohm)
- High-Definition Sound Effects
- Low Frequency Tuned for Natural Sound Clarity
- Sound Dampening Composite Housing
- Sound Active Compression – 0.01 Second Reaction Time
- HiFi Audio Input Jack – 3.5mm
- Positive Response Power, Volume and Select Buttons
- TPU Covered Gel Ear Pad
- Comfort Headband with Metal Frame
- USB Charging Port (Rechargeable)
- Semi-Rigid Case Included
Let’s dissect the specs a little. The total Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 23dB places the Intrepid BT ahead of the popular Howard Leight (HL) Impact Sport ear pro and a little behind the Peltor 500. NRR isn’t the whole story though, so let’s keep going.
The Intrepid BT comes standard with gel ear cups, which is so often not included on ear pro, that a whole secondary market selling upgrades has popped up. These ear cups are pretty comfortable, fitting my head well. A tiny break in the seal can ruin your ear pro’s NRR, so this is pretty damn important. As an added bonus, this is the least sweat-inducing set of gel cups I’ve worn, keeping me from getting swampy during a 95° F range day. Furthermore, these cups work better with shooting glasses than most, keeping a seal despite the legs of the glasses intruding.
The Intrepid BT uses digital compression circuitry with a really fast response time. While I do prefer analogue circuitry for sound quality, the Intrepid BT gives far less white noise and tinny sound quality than the HL Impact Sport Bolt digital set I’ve used for years.
WarBird’s ear pro has a rechargeable battery that does indeed last the ~8 hours between recharges, which is done through a micro-usb and achieved in under two hours. I may prefer a usb-c port, but this is a system done well.
The feature that really sets the Intrepid BT apart from the entry-level options is the BT, for Bluetooth. Yep, you can listen to music while you’re shooting or working. You can take a hands-free phone call as you’re walking down to check targets. This is an option I’ve increasingly come to enjoy having. That really kicks off the “hands-on” section.
As a gun writer and homesteader, I have long days alone on the property, whether I’m shooting a series of guns, using the chainsaw and log splitter, or running the tractor for hours at a time. Having good protection for my remaining hearing, and also having Axl Rose and crew keep me company while I’m working, has made the days go by faster and more enjoyably.
That is why for the last couple years I’ve had the Peltor 500’s on so often. These 500’s (more than the Walker’s and Howard Leight’s of the world) are what I see as the main competition to the WarBird BT. Peltor comes in about $40 more expensive, and with a few decibels better NRR. So why would I choose the Intrepid BT over the Peltor 500 now that I have both (along with many others)?
The answer is comfort. Besides working better with eye pro, the Intrepid BT is more comfortable. The best protection is the one you’ll actually wear. I didn’t realize it until I was three hours deep into a range session, but I hadn’t taken the Intrepid BT off, even when I was walking down to check targets. My head wasn’t squished, and my jaw wasn’t hurting. It was kind of weird to be without the burgeoning discomfort in my skull.
Choices, Choices.
The electronic ear protection market is rife with options. Besides the major players mentioned above, there’s countless lesser-known options springing up every day. It can take a lot for a company without an established brand name and market recognition to break in. I really think WarBird is making a strong salient into the fray with the Intrepid BT.
While $149 is going to turn off the casual shooters and the “good enough” crowd, those who need a higher quality of product would do well to check these out. Losing your hearing is one mistake you want to avoid, and good ear protection is worth the cost. And it’s definitely cheaper than hearing aids!
Warbird’s Intrepid BT sells for $149 on their website. They also offer eye protection and body armor. Check em out!
While it seems ridiculous that these things are BT enabled I have to admit that it’s annoying the way that phones have deleted most corded connections like the 3.5mm jack and trying to run ear buds under earpro is pretty awful in most circumstances.
I get wanting to dust/waterproof the phone, but when you’re doing that to stuff that has planned obsolescence built in, at a certain point you’re just being annoying.
I had to look up obsolescence.
U2
I’d say “The more you know” but then rainbows go flying and everyone gets the wrong idea these days.
Bluetooth isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I might not own an Intrepid but I do frequently use a set of bt phones that allows me to be on calls and Teams meetings while in very noisy environments. This is tech that becomes a Godsend and well worth the money. Technology moves forward and at some point this might become obsolete but that wouldn’t stop me from having it right now.
I use my Walker’s muffs as earphones as much, if not more, than I do at the range. I’ve got an external cheapo BT adapter that I plug into the audio jack. Built-in would be nice
These make AWESOME earphones because unlike regular earphones I can listen in to what is going on around me at any volume amplification level I wish (including zero, as in totally turning off the outside sounds.)
Just because you can’t seem to see a use case for something doesn’t mean others don’t.
I see the use case just fine and, quite frankly, I’m somewhat baffled as to how you can read the OP and manage to get the idea that I don’t.
I got water in my left ear and discovered I cant hear sht out of my right ear.
Do they make a one sided earmuff sold at half price?
Screw that I’m still using my 30 year old Bilsom Vikings. Paired with cheap foam plugs I’m good. I don’t need to talk on the phone or listen to music whilst firing. .45 acp is the only Heavy Metal I listen to.
Right on right on
Yea dont really know if music and firearms mix real well. At least for me i need to keep all the focus on the task at hand when handling weapons
Bluetooth enabled listening devices for interior and exterior sections of the home with tonal variance to differentiate where you are hearing the external audio………not one I am fully behind but I have seen it be made to work.
Gun Drummer
I think you are allowed to use these muffs for other things besides taking to the range. The RSO won’t come home with you and berate you for listening to music while hammering away reshingling your roof, or working on your lathe, or just relaxing in your living room listening to Mark Smith at 4 boxes diner while your wife is watching/listening to something else on her laptop.
I don’t even own any other earphones or buds any more. I use my Walker’s muffs with a plug-in adapter for that whenever I want to listen to something and not bother the wife if she is on the phone or in a zoom meeting. She can’t stand the sound of Mark’s voice and the way he repeats himself over and over again.
It’s all in the use case.
A pair I can listen to music with while I’m running equipment for 8+ hours is a plus.
Come to think of it, it’s also a good excuse to ignore an RSO’s bullshit…
Hmmm maybe AC/DC for those about to rock-BOOM we salute you!
I like big butts and i cannot lie
-possum
I like the funky Karmann Ghia.
Former 13B, hearing protection is for wimps. After all the 155mm I’ve fired small arms ain’t shit.😉
What?
What?
Gotta love the two different tones (sometimes three) playing in my ears 24/7 whenever the background noise isn’t loud enough to drown them out.
Nice that they are a minor unresolved chord making me wait eternally for the chord change that ends the musical phrase and resolves it.
Hearing damage is no joke.
-former 19D Cav Scout and ’60-gunner
Meh, too pricey for what it is. I’ll keep using my $35 Walker’s Slim from Wally World for the range and also as headphones everywhere else with a <$10 Bluetooth adapter plugged into the headphone jack. AAA batteries are cheap and last nearly forever as long as you don't forget and leave the external audio application on. Built-in rechargeable batteries will guarantee fail permanently dead on any electronic device after 2-3 years making these high-dollar units disposable where $0.30 in Amazon Basics AAA alkalines will make the Walker's as good as new again.
Also the Walker's have optional and excellent low-cost add-on FRS radios that integrate very well with the muffs. Even with the 2-way radios, a BT adapter dongle, and a lifetime supply of AAA batteries the Walkers are still less than half the cost of these things. They don't even improve on the lackluster 32dB attenuation of the Walker's one bit.
Pass. I wouldn't even pay half the price for these since they are disposable "rechargeable" units which will be dumpster bait in a few years.
I won’t buy any rechargeable products. Once the batteries finally do die (I realize that may be several years down the line) you have to throw the product away and get a new one. If they wont take rechargeable Li-On (of which I have a bunch already) it’s a no go.
Sometimes it is possible to open up the case and replace the battery (like in a cell phone) but usually it is impossible to do this without destroying the item. You are 100% right these rechargeable gadgets have a limited lifespan. I would rather they have alkaline batteries or use replaceable cells that are easy to get to and use standard sizes that can be easily found and purchased.
I have rechargeable AA batteries that have lasted years in minimags I carry for years and throw into the charger over the weekend. Rotating them out occasionally in other items like remotes and the AC thermostat.
“Does the Intrepid BT achieve the standard needed to fight for market space?”
Not for me. NRR23 doesn’t even come close to NR30, non-electric “ears” I bought 10yrs ago, for $33. The Colonel had her own pair as well. we could talk quite well during shooting sessions, without fancy electrics, while enjoying the hearing protection.
Oh, the units were quite useful for yard work, and tending to vacuuming indoors.
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