The DM filter for natural sound and clear speech
The DM filter is the flat attenuating top series from Dynamic Ear Company, originally developed for musicians. It reduces high, medium and low frequencies evenly, so music and voices sound the way they are, only quieter.
Five strengths in the DM series
The values come from the Dynamic Ear Company datasheet. H, M and L stand for the attenuation of high, medium and low frequencies.
DM 25 · SNR 20 dB
H 19 · M 19 · L 18 dB. The strongest DM, with almost flat attenuation across all tones.
DM 20 · SNR 17 dB
H 15 · M 18 · L 18 dB. Reduces low and middle tones slightly more than high tones.
DM 16 · SNR 16 dB
H 16 · M 13 · L 12 dB. A middle option for people who listen to a lot of music and wear them for a long time.
DM 15 · SNR 15 dB
H 15 · M 13 · L 12 dB. Slightly lighter, with the same even sound.
DM 10 · SNR 10 dB
H 10 · M 6 · L 6 dB. Light attenuation for people who want to keep hearing as much detail as possible.
How each DM filter attenuates per frequency
Low tones are on the left of the chart, high tones on the right. The flatter the line, the more evenly the filter attenuates. DM 15 and DM 20 have the flattest line, so music sounds balanced, only quieter. DM 25 attenuates around 25 dB almost everywhere. DM 10 and DM 16 reduce the high tones a little more than the low tones.
- DM 25 black
- DM 20 white
- DM 16 green
- DM 15 blue
- DM 10 sea blue
Redrawn from the Dynamic Ear Company DM series datasheet.
Who is the DM filter for?
Dynamic Ear developed the DM series for professional musicians and music lovers. The filter is now also used in industry, in places where hearing protection is needed and speech must stay easy to understand. The manufacturer mentions musicians, sound engineers, cabin crew, production staff and racing teams. So you find the filter in music, at events, in aviation and in motorsport.
The filter works best when sound is about equally loud across all tones, such as with amplified music or a machine that runs constantly.
Why flat attenuation sounds natural
Ordinary earplugs often reduce too few low tones and too many high tones. Music then sounds dull and voices become hard to understand. The membrane in the DM filter is tuned to prevent that. You hear the music in balance, only quieter.
Breathable and pressure-regulating
The membrane is made of breathable material. This keeps your ear canal cool and lets you wear the filter all day. The membrane also regulates pressure. According to Dynamic Ear that gives extra comfort when flying, which is why the filter is also used by cabin crew and travellers.
Optional DM with a switch
Dynamic Ear also supplies the DM in a version with a Total Block Switch. In the closed position the attenuation according to the datasheet is SNR 25 dB (H 27, M 22, L 20). This is useful if you switch between music and a much louder situation. Want to know whether this is possible in your custom earplugs? Ask us.
Music, hospitality and events
Are you going to concerts or festivals, or do you work in hospitality or at events? These pages explain how much protection you need in each situation.
Source
All attenuation values on this page come from the Dynamic Ear Company DM series datasheet and were determined according to EN 352-2. In custom earplugs the attenuation can differ, depending on the fit and the shape of your ear canal.
Written by Thijs Worm.
Questions about the DM filter
What is the difference between the DM and the DR filter?
The DM filter attenuates more flatly. High, medium and low frequencies are reduced more evenly, so music sounds more natural. The DR filter is meant for general use and comes as standard in your custom earplugs. You choose the DM filter at an extra cost.
Can I wear the DM filter on a plane?
Yes. According to Dynamic Ear the membrane regulates pressure, which gives extra comfort when flying.
Which DM strength do I need for a concert?
That depends on how loud it is and how long you stay. Our page about concerts and festivals explains how to choose. Not sure? Contact us.
Does the DM filter fit in my Audibling custom earplugs?
Yes. According to the manufacturer, the DM filter is fully interchangeable with the DR and DI series and fits in custom earplugs made of hard acrylic and silicone. So you can swap filters without new earplugs.