[Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE] MonnieRock:
Nice to meet you

Hello Sgt. Slaughter,

Pleasure to meet you.

The JH Audio JH-16 Pro's are not for someone just wanting a casual set of earbuds for occasional listening.

Mine are used as a tool:

10+ hours a day running a mobile business, constantly on the telephone via bluetooth listed in my signature. Fact that the JH-16 Pro's block out -26db allows me to have call volume at minimal so that I am not subjecting my ears to damaging volume levels while hearing calls clearly.

When off the phone and using some of the machinery in my field, they are acting as earplugs protecting my hearing from environmental noise levels that would cause hearing damage over time. Added convenience of shutting off the machinery and answering a incoming call hands free, without having to remove earplugs,answer phone,finish call,holster phone,put earplugs back in, etc. all can be done hands free. Invaluable to me.

During my personal time, I am a musician that writes,composes,records all my own music. The JH-16 Pro's are professional grade studio monitors that are critical for sound engineering. Once again, -26db gives the ability to maintain low volume levels to prevent hearing losses, while maintaining optimum sound quality.

When playing out live, the JH-16 Pro's are used as my stage monitors(typically speakers on the stage pointing up,facing the musicians). Meaning, I can hear the overall mix of the band (what the crowd hears) but at a reduced volume level without sacrificing sound quality. Once again, -26db is protecting my hearing from the extreme volume levels of being on stage next to the sound reinforcement gear(guitar amps,drums,PA speakers,etc).

Laying in bed listening to music, watching blu-ray movies,doing yard work listening to music,etc is a whole new experience using the JH-16 Pro's. Again, hearing every little nuance at low volume levels while maintaining optimum sound quality and protecting my hearing.

At the pistol/rifle range, I wear my JH-16 Pro's under my over-the-ear hearing protection. Adding double hearing protection and while listening to relaxing music. Very calming and I shoot more accurately especially during long range shooting(1000 meters)

Hearing loss,protecting one of our precious senses

You will notice my preaching about hearing protecting. Once your hearing is lost, you can not get it back. So many musicians,workers,general public, have permanent hearing losses. People with these massive car stereos, people with portable players, bluetooth headsets for telephone calls,etc. are blasting their ears. I am 44 and my hearing is the same as when I was first examined at 15 :)

The real question:

Worth it to me, Yes

Worth it to others, that is their decision.

Little history behind JH Audio taken from his site:

Jerry Harvey, was touring with the band Van Halen as a monitor engineer. In-ear monitor technology was still in its infancy, so when drummer Alex Van Halen considered giving it a shot, Jerry began to investigate. After trying (and quickly discarding) the available in-ear options, Jerry funneled his experience with large arena sound systems and engineered the first 2-way, custom-fit earpieces.

Van Halen couldn’t have been happier with the result, and word quickly spread to other artists and engineers. Before long, Harvey founded his own company, designing and manufacturing in-ear monitors for musicians and audiophiles alike. By focusing on cutting-edge design and exceptional audio quality, his IEMs quickly became the industry standard in reference earphones.

Meeting you and answering your question

So Sgt. Slaughter, I am serious. Glad we met. I am as anal about eye protection too but, that is another topic all in it's own ;)

Hope we get our EVO 4G LTE's soon :)

Monnie