HOWARD LEIGHT’S NEW IMPACT® SPORT BLUETOOTH®

FOGHORN

November 2021 Twobirds Flying Publications

HOWARD LEIGHT’S NEW IMPACT® SPORT BLUETOOTH® By: Sal Palma

Whenever I see meaningful innovation, I’m reminded of what Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks once said: “Risk more than others think is safe. Dream more than others think is practical.” There’s no better example of that philosophy than Howard Leight’s 40 years of success designing and manufacturing hearing protection. The company has a storied history; in 1970 they were the first to develop banded hearing protection. In 2010, Howard Leight was acquired by Honeywell International giving them access to one of three audio labs accredited by NVLAP, the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. Since its acquisition, Howard Leight by Honeywell has been producing some impressive passive and electronic hearing protection. If memory serves me, the Impact Sport model came about in 2009, its introduction meant that consumers now had access to excellent electronic hearing protection at a $50-$70 price point in a market where competing electronic

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earmuffs were going for well over $200. The Impact Sport was an immediate success. In November of 2021, the company introduced the Impact Sport Bluetooth, it retains all the excellent Impact features with the addition of some great new features. Hearing protection is of no value if it is not worn and wearing requires a high degree of comfort, the Impact Sport Bluetooth meets that requirement with adult and youth sizing. The adult size ear cups are large enough to accommodate my big ears, and the ear pads form an excellent seal around the ear, blocking out ambient sound. The passive sound attenuation of this headset is 21 db. The spring metal headband is wrapped and lined with a sponge for a very secure and relaxed fit. When you hold the Impact Sport earmuffs you’re left with a sense of solidness, this headset is not going to fail from an impact or fall; all accomplished while keeping its weight to under 11 ounces.

Electronic hearing protection functions by detecting a sudden change in sound levels and electronically attenuating the offending sound impulse. To be effective, its circuitry must respond in a matter of milliseconds.

HOWARD LEIGHT’S NEW IMPACT® SPORT BLUETOOTH®

The Impact Sport Bluetooth responds to a sound impulse exceeding 85db in 0.5 milliseconds engaging its sound activated compression limiting sound levels to a safe 85 db. Like the basic Impact Sport, the Bluetooth version comes with two directional microphones, one in each cup, to capture ambient sounds. Directionality is important because it contributes to situational awareness, important when hunting or engaged in tactical application.

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Sport’s Bluetooth audio performance can only be described as spectacular.

Bluetooth Amplitude control and On/Off and active indicator

Howard Leight’s implementation of the audio strategy is well thought out. While using Bluetooth, I was also listening to ambient sounds, both audio levels are independently adjustable. You won’t be changing batteries any time soon, the new model is micro-usb rechargeable, delivering 20 hours of continuous operation on a full charge. Ambient amplitude control side

The new Impact Sport has Bluetooth capability allowing you to pair them with your smart device for phone calls or just to listen to some music. The Bluetooth audio reproduction is flawless with near audiophile quality. Music recordings normally capture a bandwidth of 100 Hertz – 20,000 Hz, and if you listen to properly recorded music with audiophile equipment, every instrumental nuance is discernible. This was the case in my testing. I listened to a Vivaldi recording and a Dance House Remix (with an abundance of low frequencies). The Impact

Howard Leight’s Impact Sport Bluetooth continues a tradition of outstanding hearing protection at a budget price of $154 M.S.R.P. As with its Impact Sport predecessor, the Bluetooth variant is comfortable, effective, feature rich and available in a variety of colors and design patterns for the fashion-conscious customer. Candidly, nothing currently on the market outperforms it or delivers better value. Try a pair!

-SP

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