Sordin Supreme Pro X: Better Than Howard Leight Impact Sport
If you’ve ever trained, you know how uncomfortable ear pro (ear protection) can get after wearing them for several hours at the range. The headband starts irritating your head, the cups feel like they’re smashing your ears (not to mention the sweat). Overall, it’s not a fun experience. Then I found the Sordin Supreme Pro X to replace my Howard Leight Impact Sport ear pro.
When looking at ear pro, you want something comfortable, and that has a good Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). But what should you get as there are far too many choices out there? It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and then you make a purchase only to regret it the first time you head to the range.
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A big issue I see is that everything out there today gets compared to the Howard Leight Impact Sport. Are they the best ear pro out there? No. In fact, they are one of the most affordable. Does that make their quality questionable? Not at all.
In fact, before buying the Sordin Supreme Pro X, I owned several pairs of the Howard Leight Impact Sport. I liked them so much that I have multiple pairs for everyone in my family. If on a budget, it’s hard to look any further than the Howard Leight Impact Sport.
But this article is on the Sordin Supreme Pro X. Why would I change from a pair of ear pro that I’ve loved for so long (the Howard Leight Impact Sport) for a pair of ear pro that is literally seven times the price? Kind of crazy, no?
Let’s take a deeper dive into why I moved from the Howard Leight Impact Sport ear pro over to the Sordin Supreme Pro X (I haven’t seen anyone do a direct comparison of the two) and why I haven’t thought about throwing my old ear pro into my range bag.
You can view each pair of ear pro using the links below:
- Sordin Supreme Pro X — click here
- Howard Leight Impact Sport — click here
Disclaimer: I purchased the Sordin Supreme Pro X with my own money (as did I with the Howard Leight Impact Sport ear pro I’m doing the comparison on). This product was not supplied to me by Sordin, they did not pay me or compensate me to speak about their product, and the opinions on this product are solely mine and my personal experience with this pair of ear pro.
Table of contents
Why Would You Need Sordin Supreme Pro X or Howard Leight Impact Sport?
When firing a firearm, there is a significant amount of noise generated by the explosion of gunpowder and the rapid release of gases from the muzzle. This noise can reach levels well above 140 decibels (dB), which is considered the threshold of pain for the human ear. To put this into perspective, a normal conversation typically occurs around 60 dB, and prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can cause hearing damage.
The loud bang of a firearm can cause immediate and long-term damage to your hearing due to the following reasons:
1. Instantaneous Hearing Damage
Exposure to the high-intensity noise of a firearm can lead to instant and irreversible damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear. This damage can result in a condition known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), where the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or destroyed. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot be regenerated, leading to permanent hearing loss.
2. Tinnitus
Another common consequence of exposure to loud noises like gunshots is tinnitus. Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears that can be incredibly bothersome and affect your quality of life.
3. Cumulative Effects
Repeated exposure to loud firearm noises, even if the damage isn’t immediately noticeable, can lead to cumulative hearing damage over time. This means that each time you’re exposed to such noises without proper protection, you’re increasing the risk of more severe and irreversible hearing loss.
4. Auditory Fatigue
Exposure to loud noises can also lead to auditory fatigue, where the ears become temporarily less sensitive to softer sounds. This can impair your ability to hear important cues or communication, both on and off the range.
To mitigate these risks, wearing proper ear protection is essential. Ear protection options include:
- Earplugs: These are inserted into the ear canal to reduce the intensity of sound reaching the eardrum. Foam earplugs are common and readily available, and they can provide a good level of protection. Custom-molded earplugs offer an even better fit and comfort.
- Earmuffs: Earmuffs cover the entire ear and create a seal to block out noise. They are effective in reducing noise exposure and are often used in combination with earplugs for maximum protection.
- Electronic Hearing Protection: These advanced earmuffs (like the Sordin Supreme Pro X and the Howard Leight Impact Sport) have built-in microphones and speakers that allow you to hear normal conversations and sounds while blocking out harmful noises, like gunshots. They automatically amplify quieter sounds and reduce loud sounds to safe levels.
I think it’s clear which of the above hearing protection we prefer, but now, let’s dive into precisely which pair of hearing protection we recommend between the Sordin Supreme Pro X and the Howard Leight Impact Sport.
Ear Pro Showdown: Sordin Supreme Pro X vs. Howard Leight Impact Sport
First and foremost, I don’t care what brand of ear pro you have or buy, you need gel cups. There is no debating me on this, if you enjoy the foam ear cups that come standard on ear pro, well… you’re weird (LOL). Spend the money and get some Noisefighter Sightlines. They’re literally the best on the market, in my opinion, and they can make any pair of ear pro feel like clouds on your ears.
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I fell in love when I first tried on a pair of ear pro with gel cups. They provide a night and day difference when it comes to the comfort of your ear pro. I like gel cups so much that I’ve put them on every pair of ear pro I’ve purchased, including my new pair of Sordin Supreme Pro X.
Now, let’s get into the comparison between the Sordin Supreme Pro X and the Howard Leight Impact Sport ear pro.
NRR Rating
The NRR of the Sordin Supreme Pro X is 25 (better than Howard Leight Impact Sport, which was rated at 22). So, from the jump, if protecting your hearing is your main concern, you already have an advantage of the Sordin Supreme Pro X over the Howard Leight Impact Sport.
And let’s be real, your hearing is a major concern when you’re intentionally blowing things up in front of your face and causing a loud bang.
Category Goes To: Sordin Supreme Pro X
Use in Wet Environments
If you train in the rain, the Sordin Supreme Pro X has some key design features that allow it to stay protected in the rain or when wet. The Howard Leight Impact Sport, I would not recommend getting them wet or training with them in any sort of wet environment unless you want them to die on you.
The waterproofing on the Sordin Supreme Pro X gives you that extra protection to prevent your electronics from dying when your ear pro get wet — which is good considering the price of these ear pro.
Category Goes To: Sordin Supreme Pro X
Sound Quality
Overall sound quality, you can definitely tell the difference between the two, and the Sordin Supreme Pro X gets its box checked in this category as well. While the differences are minor, nonetheless, it’s still a better pair of ear pro when it comes to sound quality when compared to the Howard Leight Impact Sport.
You get a true 360-degree noise amplification to help you hear exactly where a sound or voice is coming from. The Sordin has a much crisper sound quality which is why they’re going to take the win for this category.
Category Goes To: Sordin Supreme Pro X
Comfort
Going back to what I mentioned earlier, if you have gel cups, they make a world of difference on any pair of ear pro. The gel cups provide adequate cushioning, and both pair of ear pro (in my opinion are comfortable).
I will note that the Sordin Supreme Pro X didn’t seem to smash the ear cups into my head/ears like the Howard Leight Impact Sport seemed to. I don’t have a big head, but I did notice a slight difference when comparing the two.
The cups on the Howard Leight Impact Sport sit ON my ears while the cups on the Sordin Supreme Pro X sit OVER my ears, so there is nothing smashing them.
Category Goes To: Sordin Supreme Pro X
Controls
Here is where I really love the Sordin Supreme Pro X over the Howard Leight Impact Sport ear pro.
I never liked the way you controlled the Howard Leight Impact Sport. The turn-style control was never something I enjoyed using. You would turn it and hear a click, knowing you turned them on, and then you had to go back and forth to fine-tune the audio. Then to turn them off, you have to remember which way to turn the dial to click them off (and this honestly annoyed me as little as it may seem).
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With the Sordin Supreme Pro X, they have a push button that turns the ear pro on and off and then two buttons to turn the volume up or down. The controls are simple to operate and work as they should. As you turn the volume up or down, the tone also changes to ensure you are going in the right direction to make things louder or softer.
Category Goes To: Sordin Supreme Pro X
Profile Design
If you’re not operating or training in wet environments, then the profile design and overall functionality make it a tie. If you train in the rain, the clear advantage is the Sordin Supreme Pro X since the battery compartment, microphones, and electronics are fully waterproof. If this isn’t a feature you need with your ear pro, the Howard Leight Impact Sport will do just fine.
Both ear pro are extremely low profile when compared to big muffs out on the market. Honestly, I would never go back to anything that has big muffs for ear pro. The slim design of both ear pro mentioned in this article work great for both pistols and long guns. No complaints about either.
Category Goes To: Consider this a tie
Batteries
Both ear pro requires 2 AAA batteries (included with the purchase). While you may wonder, “How difficult can it be to change batteries,” you’d be surprised with the Sordin Supreme Pro X.
While the batteries are more secure in the Sordin Supreme Pro X, getting the bottom battery in and out can be somewhat of a pain. In fact, each time I swap the batteries out of the Sordin, I feel like I’m going to break the ear pro as you need to hit the bottom of the ear cup in order for the battery to come loose (there has to be an engineering way to make this easier).
I do, however, like that the battery cap screws on, and you need to deliberately take it off as it won’t merely pop off when you don’t want it to. The seal also prevents water from getting in and messing up the batteries and electronics.
The Howard Leight Impact Sport is straightforward. You take the cover off, pull out the batteries, insert the new, and you’re ready to party. The only downside is that water can get into the compartment if you train in the rain, so this may be a concern.
But overall, the ease of use is much better with the Howard Leight Impact Sport, which is why I am giving them the nod in this category (even though I like how secure the batteries are in the Sordin and the fact that they keep water out). If you train in the rain often, though, I’d go with the Sordin Supreme Pro X.
Category Goes To: Howard Leight Impact Sport
Value
I’m going to be totally honest with you, in most cases, the Sordin Supreme Pro X are going to be overkill. Are they amazing? There’s no question. But when you look at the overall cost and how often you’re going to use ear pro, the Howard Leight Impact Sport is simply an amazing overall value.
If you go to the range a few times a year, the Howard Leight Impact Sports will serve you well. If you train hard and often, you’ll be happy to upgrade to a better overall quality pair of ear pro with the Sordin Supreme Pro X. But when balling on a budget, it’s tough to pass up the Howard Leight Impact Sport since you can buy several pair for the cost of the Sordin.
It’s sort of like comparing a Lambo with a Camry. Both get you from point A to point B, but the Lambo is better quality, built better, has more engineering that has gone into it, and ups your baller level several points. All in all, I have no complaints about my purchase of the Sordin Supreme Pro X, but I fully understand there are many people out there who don’t want to light their money on fire when it comes to something they won’t use that often.
Category Goes To: Howard Leight Impact Sport
Which Ear Pro Should You Go With? Sordin Supreme Pro X or Howard Leight Impact Sport
Honestly, I can’t tell you how or where to spend your money. If you want an overall better-quality product, the Sordin Supreme Pro X are hard to beat. If you want a more budget-friendly pair of ear pro, I’ve loved my Howard Leight Impact Sport and have used them for several years, and my entire family has a pair.
You can’t go wrong with either choice, but hopefully this article was a good comparison and allowed you to make a better buying decision according to your needs.
Side note, I’d love to check out the Peltor ComTac III or Peltor ComTac IV, but the price is a little too rich for my blood. If someone has a pair of these ear pro that they don’t want and would like to “donate” them to me to be reviewed, I’d love to run them. Or, if you know someone at Peltor who wants to hook a brother up with a pair that I can do a comparison review, hit me up.
And as always, go out and get the proper training needed to be proficient with your firearm(s) and EDC gear. I am not an instructor or tactical ninja, and I don’t pretend to be one on the weekends. I’m simply someone who seeks knowledge, improvement, and proficiency when it comes to self-defense and the ability to protect my family and those around me. You are your own first line of defense, seek the training of a certified and experienced instructor. And if you are in the market for a new pair of ear pro, go ahead and pick up the Sordin Supreme Pro X — your ears will thank me.
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