When it comes to protecting your hearing on the range or work site, you can’t go wrong with industry leaders Sordin and Peltor. These two juggernauts produce some of the best electronic earmuffs and passive earplugs on the market.
But how do their flagship products stack up against each other?
Let’s take an in-depth look at the Sordin Supreme Pro X and Peltor Tactical Pro hearing protectors to see which one comes out on top.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Sordin Supreme Pro X | Peltor Tactical Pro |
| Noise Reduction Rating | 26 dB | 26 dB |
| Microphones | 4 external omnidirectional | 2 internal omnidirectional |
| Sound Quality | Excellent directional sound | Balanced sound with good situational awareness |
| Volume Control | Buttons on each earcup | Single volume control |
| Battery Life | ~600 hours (AA) | ~600 hours (AA) |
| Auto Shut-Off | After 4 hours | After 4 hours |
| Comfort | Plush memory foam cushions | Padded headband and cups |
| Durability | Nearly indestructible composite shell | Meets military durability standards |
| Cost | $320-$350 | $200-$250 |
Overview of the Sordin Supreme Pro X
The Sordin Supreme Pro X takes the excellent Supreme Pro model and adds a few key upgrades to create an even better electronic earmuff. It provides slightly better noise reduction ratings (NRR) than the Supreme Pro while retaining the same high level of situational awareness and sound quality.
Some of the key features of the Sordin Supreme Pro X include:
- NRR of 26 dB – Provides ample protection in most environments without being overly muffling.
- Four microphone omnidirectional sound pickup – Enables excellent directional hearing capability. You can accurately hear ambient sounds and conversations.
- Buttons on each earcup – Allow you to control volume levels and turn sound compression on/off independently for each ear.
- Automatic shut-off after 4 hours – Helps save battery life.
- Runs on 2 AA batteries – Easy to find and replace. Approximately 600 hours of battery life.
- Memory foam ear cushions – Offer a comfortable and secure fit.
- Padded adjustable headband – Provides a customizable, non-slip fit.
- Rugged construction – Built to withstand tough use and extreme environments.
The Sordin Supremes are a go-to choice for military, law enforcement, and tactical shooters who need heightened situational awareness with top-notch hearing protection.
The Pro X takes these capabilities up another notch.
Also Read: Differences Between Ops-Core AMP And Peltor Headsets.
Overview of the Peltor Tactical Pro
The Peltor Tactical Pro is designed to provide maximum hearing protection while still allowing critical ambient sounds through. It’s built ruggedly to meet the needs of military and law enforcement.
Key features of the Peltor Tactical Pro:
- NRR of 26 dB – On par with the Sordin Pro X for excellent hearing protection.
- 2-microphone omni-directional design – Allows ambient sound amplification from all directions.
- Dynamic Suppression Time – Automatically suppresses gunshot noises while amplifying quieter sounds.
- High frequency emphasis – Makes distant or faint sounds more audible.
- Runs on 2 AA batteries – Approximately 600 hours of battery life.
- Powered by Smart Muff Technology – Provides balanced, consistent sound quality and situational awareness.
- VoiceGuided Menu system – Makes settings easy to adjust.
- Padded headband and earcups – Deliver a secure and comfortable fit.
The Peltor Tactical Pro provides sophisticated digital microphone compression technology in a rugged package designed for demanding use. It’s trusted by armed forces and tactical professionals worldwide.
Key Differences Between Sordin Supreme Pro X And Peltor Hearing Protectors
- Noise Reduction Rating
Both the Sordin Supreme Pro X and Peltor Tactical Pro share an NRR rating of 26 decibels. This places them firmly in the high-end category for passive noise reduction capability.
An NRR of 26dB is suitable for most shooting and industrial noise environments. It effectively blocks hazardous noise levels while still allowing important ambient sounds through.
This level of passive attenuation exceeds the EPA’s recommended NRR of 22dB for hearing protection devices. At the same time, it isn’t so high that it completely dampens situational awareness.
For most users, the noise reduction of both the Sordin and Peltor models hits the sweet spot between protection and awareness.
- Sound Quality and Situational Awareness
When it comes to sound quality and directional hearing capability, the Sordin and Peltor models have slightly differing approaches.
The Sordin Supreme Pro X uses four external microphones to deliver excellent directional sound pickup and augmented hearing capability.
Voices and ambient sounds come through with clarity, depth, and 360-degree directional accuracy.
The four mic omnidirectional design gives you fantastic situational awareness.
The Peltor Tactical Pro utilizes a two-microphone design along with the company’s proprietary Smart Muff audio circuitry.
This provides consistent, balanced sound reproduction with good all-around situational awareness.
The two mics capture a wide ambient soundstage, while the dynamic suppression time feature reduces sudden loud gunshot blasts while letting you still hear quieter background noises.
For most users, both ear muff models allow enough ambient sound amplification to maintain awareness of your surroundings. The 4-mic Sordin system provides a slight edge in terms of pinpointing sound location and directionality.
However, the Peltor model delivers ample situational awareness and dynamic sound processing in a slimmer more streamlined package.
- Battery Life
The Sordin Supreme Pro X and Peltor Tactical Pro both take two AA batteries and deliver approximately 600 hours of runtime. This battery life is certainly above average for electronic earmuffs. Changing batteries once per year or less frequently should be expected.
Both models have automatic shut-off after 4 hours to prevent battery drain if you forget to turn them off. This is an essential feature for maximizing battery longevity.
When it comes time for a battery change, the process is quick and painless on both sets of earmuffs. The battery compartments are easily accessible and the muffs use common AA batteries that are cheap and ubiquitous.
For military, law enforcement, and other professionals who use their earmuffs daily, the exceptional battery life of the Sordin and Peltor headset is highly advantageous. You can focus on training and operations rather than constantly worrying about your batteries.
Also Read: Differences Between BlueParrott 650 And 550 Headsets.
- Comfort and Fit
Comfort is crucial for any hearing protector used for extended periods. Here again, both the Sordin and Peltor deliver excellent performance.
The Sordin Supreme Pro X features soft, padded memory foam ear cushions. Many users find this supple memory foam offers a more comfortable long-term fit, especially those with larger head sizes. The headband is adjustable and padded as well.
Peltor uses a twin cup design with generous padding on the headband and ear cups. The cups tilt and swivel for a customized fit. The materials wick moisture to reduce sweat buildup during prolonged use. Those with larger heads appreciate the adjustability of the Peltor headband.
When it comes to comfort, the slight edge probably goes to the Sordin model. However, both sets of earmuffs are exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear. The padding prevents pressure points and allows you to keep them on for hours of training, shooting, or work without fatigue or discomfort.
- Durability and Water Resistance
You don’t want your expensive electronic earmuffs to fail in adverse conditions when you need them most. Both Sordin and Peltor engineer their headsets to be extremely durable and rugged. They stand up to rough handling, dropping, sweat, moisture, and weather extremes.
The Sordin Supreme Pro X boasts a nearly indestructible composite and metal exterior that can survive being run over by a truck. The shells resist dents, dings, cracks, and scratches even under severe impacts.
Similarly, the Peltor Tactical Pro meets rigorous military durability standards. The outer shells and interior components can withstand shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature swings.
Peltor’s proprietary Twin Cup Clamp design also enhances durability and acoustic performance.
For water resistance, the Sordin and Peltor models both utilize a weatherproof sealing gasket around the ear cups. This prevents moisture from penetrating into the sensitive electronic components, making the headsets suitable for wet environments.
Overall, both manufacturers recognize that durability is paramount for tactical and military use. Both the Sordin and Peltor earmuffs deliver ruggedness you can count on, mile after mile.
Cost Comparison
When purchasing quality hearing protection, your budget is sure to be a consideration. Here’s how the costs stack up:
- Sordin Supreme Pro X: $320-$350 range
- Peltor Tactical Pro: $200-$250 range
As you would expect, the Sordin model comes with a higher price tag.
The four microphone design and premium memory foam materials drive up manufacturing costs.
However, many users report the improved sound quality and comfort are worth the extra investment.
Peltor manages to keep down costs through efficient engineering and materials choices without sacrificing durability.
This makes the Tactical Pro the more budget-friendly pick.
Both models could be considered “buy it for life” investments that will serve you well for years before requiring replacement. But if low cost is your top priority, the Peltor Tactical Pro gets the money-saving edge.
Also Read: Is SoundGear Better Than Tetra Hearing Protection?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences between the Sordin Supreme Pro and Pro X models are:
1. Pro X has 4 external microphones vs 2 on the Pro
2. Pro X has slightly higher NRR rating of 26dB vs 24dB
3. Pro X has volume buttons located on each earcup rather than one cup
4. Pro X has auto shut-off after 4 hours to save battery life
The Pro X builds on the proven Pro platform with some incremental upgrades. But both models offer excellent sound amplification and directional hearing capability powered by Sordin’s omni-directional microphone arrays.
The Sordin Supreme Pro X and Sordin Supreme MIL CC are quite similar electronic earmuffs with a few key differences:
1. Pro X has 4 microphones instead of 2 on the MIL CC
2. Pro X has volume control buttons on each earcup, MIL CC volume is controlled on one cup
3. Pro X has auto shut-off after 4 hours; MIL CC lacks this feature
4. Pro X comes in black and green; MIL CC is desert tan color only
5. MIL CC meets military testing standards for impedance and rigorous environmental conditions
The MIL CC costs a bit less but lacks some of the features and sound sophistication of the Pro X. However, for mission-critical military and tactical use, the MIL CC is purpose-built to withstand extreme environments.
MSA and Sordin are separate companies, but MSA is the exclusive distributor for Sordin products in the United States. So when you purchase Sordin earmuffs from an authorized seller in the USA, they will often have MSA branding on them as well. The earmuffs themselves are designed and manufactured by Sordin in Sweden. So while the two company names are both associated with the same products, MSA does not actually make Sordin earmuffs – they distribute them.
Yes, many branches of the U.S. military have adopted Sordin electronic earmuffs as standard gear. The ruggedness, situational awareness, and battery life of models like the Supreme Pro X, MIL CC, and Ultimate 15 meet the demanding needs of the armed forces. Sordin earmuffs see widespread use with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. They are commonly employed by military police, infantry, artillery crews, combat engineers, and other frontline positions where hearing protection is crucial but so is staying alert. The transparent amplified sound of Sordin headsets allows soldiers and support personnel to maintain excellent communication and operational readiness even in deafening environments.
The Verdict
When all factors are weighed, the Sordin Supreme Pro X stands out as the slight overall winner in this head-to-head match up.
The Supreme Pro X justifies its higher price through stellar directional sound quality, deep situational awareness, and plush long-wearing comfort. The four-mic design provides immersive, high-fidelity ambient sound reproduction that competitors struggle to match.
And the rugged, weather-resistant shell will withstand anything you throw at it.
However, the Peltor Tactical Pro puts up an impressive fight. For nearly $100 less, you still get superb dual-microphone sound amplification, great durability, impressive battery life, and battle-tested performance. Peltor’s innovative audio engineering and 70 years of experience are evident in this intelligently designed headset.
Ultimately, both models are phenomenal electronic ear muffs suitable for military, law enforcement, shooting, industrial, and tactical users. You’ll enhance hearing protection, heighten situational awareness, and gain peace of mind with either of these industry-leading solutions.
