3M WorkTunes

I recently purchased the 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector, and it has truly exceeded my expectations. Not only does it provide top-notch hearing protection with a 24 dB Noise Reduction Rating, but the added Bluetooth technology is a game-changer. I love being able to listen to my favorite music or take calls while working in noisy environments. The earmuffs are comfortable to wear for extended periods and the sound quality is amazing. I highly recommend these WorkTunes Connect earmuffs to anyone looking for a perfect blend of safety and entertainment on the job. The only downside is that the Bluetooth connection can sometimes be spotty, but overall, this product is a must-have for anyone in need of hearing protection.

I really love these ear muffs. I have had them for a few days and have used them in a loud work environment and they cut out all the noises that are associated with hearing loss (loud diesel engines and piercing radio transmissions). I've used a band saw, cement cutter and a chainsaw and can hardly hear them. Voices are dim as well. These do NOT have the feature that allows you to push a button and briefly (10 seconds) hear what's going on in the room or surrounding vicinity. You have to pull the muff off your ear to hear things. I would have liked to have had a button for that feature (maybe on the other side / hint hint to 3M)!I'm very impressed with the comfort they provide. They aren't too tight and they protect the ears nicely. I didn't get the ones with the ear gel, but the surface around the ear is smooth and comfortable. They are adjustable so one size pretty much fits all. I wear a size 8 in ball caps (big melon) and they fit fine. When adjusted for smaller folks (my wife) they are just as comfortable. I would have liked the wires that run from the ear muffs up into the over head strap to be a bit more discreet and out of the way (from getting caught on something) but again, no deal breaker. I have since used electrician's tape on them to secure the wires.I am working in 100 degree temps right now and so far I've not had an issue with sweat in or around the ears or on my scalp. The device came fully charged and so far it's remained at full power after several days' use. I have taken a number of calls and they are crystal clear with the caller telling me that the microphone works awesome. It comes with a USB charge cable (not the charger) which can be plugged into any standard USB plug. The opposite end of the cable fits my android phone and other devices so it's versatile. When charging, there's a flashing blue light on the side below the power button that goes solid blue when they are fully charged. Doesn't take too long to charge up -- though I've not run them down -- and I do it daily. Don't make the mistake of leaving them on a charger well past the point that they're charged because (in my experience) this can reduce battery life.I tested the distance from my blue-tooth device (in the same room) and found that when I am about 40 feet away, the signal fades, but for pairing with something like an MP3 or a phone it's pretty efficient. In my tri-level home it fades out at 20 feet and when I'm upstairs and it's downstairs, the signal is gone. I've used it with both a cell phone and MP3 and the music is clear. If you're an audiophile, you'll be slightly disappointed as you won't get the heavy bass and the highs, but for basic listening purposes (driving or studying) it's pretty damned nice. I listen to a lot of classical guitar music and progressive jazz and so far it's no disappointment. I really like using them to doze off to sleep for a nap.You'll have to adjust the volume on your blue-tooth device to change the listening level in the ear muffs, but I DO like only having one button. Once you get the sequence down (to shuffle music/answer a call) it's a snap. It's nice because I use thick work gloves and the button protrudes just enough to make it easy when using them. Music stops when a call comes in and you hear a phone ring and all you have to do is press the button once to answer -- same thing to disconnect. You can reject the call by pressing the button and holding it. If you're listening to an MP3 you can use the forward/back or pause/play sequence by pushing that one button. One press is pause, two presses is advancing one song, three presses is backing up one song. Pretty simple! You cannot control playlists or switching between albums/artists with the button. That can only be done on the blue tooth device.This was an inexpensive and practical purchase for me and something I should get a LOT of use out of -- especially since other users have already posted that their muffs have given them years of service. Want something that will blend well in your work environment and provide hands-free music and calls? This is it.

3M WorkTunes Connect + AM/FMUpdated, see notes below. AA batteries last four months and still going using FM radio! Excellent hearing protection with radio! I hate proprietary lithium battery packs along with the unique charging adapters. AA batteries are cheap, and last adequate amount of time and more so then expected.Better than listening to the lawnmower! However, I still prefer to listen to the whine of my chainsaw versus Mozart!PROS1) Sound quality appears adequate, especially while using a chainsaw or lawnmower. (See CONS notes.)2) Battery life so far seems adequate. Used 2-3 times at lengthy intervals, still going, however mostly using FM/AM reception, without bluetooth.3) AM/FM tuner and reception strength appears adequate. (See CONS notes.)4) Weight seems acceptable, no apparent neck problems yet. Albeit, they'll likely hear from my lawyer first if the weight breaks my neck while listening to heavy metal music.5) I've heard of complaints here about the volume dial not allowing louder volumes. I think these complaints are pretty much false, unless my unit has been modified after the complaints, or there's something going on with the reception and sound pressure level amplification. Seems adequate to me. Any louder with the music and I might as well listen to the lawnmower or chainsaw further ruin my hearing!Cons1) Audio quality. Although adequate, could likely be much better! For somebody or a company that cares about our hearing, should also care just as much about the sound quality of the noise we want to listen to! (While using a chainsaw, I tend to also turn my garage 1000 watt stereo/radio on alongside using the headset with chainsaw... great to sing along while using a chainsaw or splitting wood!)2) Slight learning curve for operating, requires at least 15-30 minutes, reading the manual's diagram and operating the buttons, in order to learn the work flow of the button operations.3) Initially, the voice prompts were clipped short and inaudible. After reading the manual, or learning the manual's diagram, I now understand the voice prompts. (Likely clipped short due to memory constraints and weight requirements.)4) I strongly prefer radio FM or AM reception, rather than listening to prerecorded music, unless the media is an audio book or audio lecture. Go figure, think it's due to randomness of songs and the large database of varying songs over FM radio or AM variety. However, I'm in a rural area, requiring better tuners to pickup the more distant strong AM/FM broadcast stations. I would judge the tuner on this headset adequate, only able receive your strongest local ~15 mile FM stations, and ~30-60 mile AM distant stations with barely audible AM quality sound. FM sounds pretty good, while the chainsaw or lawnmower are running. I think, either a better tuner or more antenna would be desirable. On the flip, most manufacturers would have provided much weaker reception. The quality is good, but can always be better.5) During the Summer or within warm areas, the rubber padding does get wet and sweaty. I think the 3M headset with gel cushions are going to get just as wet. The only reason the gel cushions are not as hot & sweaty, due to the likely weaker seal around the eardrum, and also reflected in the ~1db less protection rating. Fact of life when wearing headgear during Summer heat, it's going to get hot & sweaty.6) I keep bumping the darn tuning dial on the side, and might require a stiffer more durable large rotating dial?7) The Bluetooth works, however I'm not a fan of Bluetooth devices. The sound quality has always been lacking and the ease of use is not easy after so many years of existence. I think 3M should continue with two separate devices, one headset for over the air reception of music, another for Bluetooth/cellular service.2021.10.02 WOW! Original AA batteries last a very long time, using only the FM radio and not using Bluetooth, four months so far on the original Energizer AA batteries! Thank God I didn't purchase one having the pain in the arse proprietary lithium battery! I wish they doubled the length of the radio antenna, and included a tie down to your belt or arse.