I started wearing my Pixel Buds 2 Pro to concerts and shows — and my weird experiment is already paying off

I’ve been doing something new this summer that I haven’t before: being hired as a concert videographer. Nearly every weekend so far this summer, I’ve been shooting videos for different festivals where performers are blasting their deafening music — which obviously got irritating for me since I was up front to capture all the action.
I was only able to endure about 15 minutes being in that general vicinity because my hearing got all irritated from all the loud sound. That’s when I realized I had my pair of Google Buds Pro 2 on me, so without hesitation I put them on. Let me tell you, it was such a relief. Sure, I might’ve looked weird mixing in with the crowd at some point, but this crazy experiment ended up paying off in a big way.
Better yet, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also $40 off at the moment You'll end up paying only $189 for the Google's earbuds, down from the normal $229 you'd have to pay.
Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are improved in almost every way imaginable. Not only are they much more compact and lighter, but they have improved noise cancellation as well to mitigate ambient noise. There's also a transparency mode that allows you to hear more of the world around you when you need it.
Price check: $189 @ Best Buy
The reason why I put on my Pixel Buds 2 Pro is to save my poor ears from being obliterated by the deafening music. There are times when I’m literally in front of the speakers taking in their full force, but enabling the noise cancelling feature on the earbuds absolutely mitigates the harshness of the sounds.
Similar to how effective the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are at toning down the screeches I hear on some of my subway rides to work, the earbuds also manage to tone down the intensity of the sounds from all the speakers before they hit my inner ear. While noise cancellation doesn’t negate all of the sound, it’s still better than just having my ears exposed to all the unadulterated sound from the speakers.
I’m able to record videos of the performers without worrying too much about the noise. While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 works great at minimizing the noise around me, I can still hear the rumble of the bass pound my chest when I’m close to the speakers. I don’t mind this at all, since I’m more concerned about potential hearing damage.
Many experts suggest wearing dedicated earplugs that specifically reduce the intensity of sound, like the Loop Experience 2 earplugs, and studies have shown how effective they are in preventing noise-induced hearing loss. But of course, you’ll have to remember to bring them with you every time. They’re cheaper, so I would recommend buying a pair ahead of time.
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I wasn’t anticipating any of this when I signed up to be the official videographer, but I can tell you how clutch it was having the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on me. Best of all, they stayed secure for the entire 5 hours I was there recording the concert. Since I had such a positive experience using my Pixel Buds Pro 2, I ended up using them over and over again for subsequent shows. They're now a permanent fixture in my arsenal of gear.
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John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.
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