Bottom line is if you end up liking the Hearos better, then use them.
HOWEVER
......
Since you have used the Hearos for almost 10 years, you have that "sound" in your head, you're used to it, and like it.
Right off the bat, you're up against your own built in bias. Looking for a huge difference probably would never happen realistically. The plugs either work, and protect the ears, or they don't.
Both brands are going to claim that their plugs make thing sound clear and "real". I do find that the Earasers do that for me, as close as anything
you stick in your ear can be at least.
They may
possibly be too small, but the rep looked at both my friends, and my ears and said we would take a Small, and a said MOST people take a Small.
They ONLY had Small and Large at the booth, and never mentioned there even WAS a Medium. I don't thing the lit had a Medium listed either. When I ordered mine (for the replacement set) online, I'm pretty sure there was only S & L at that point too. Again, just my experience with them.
Maybe it's a new offering?
Do you wear an XL (or 2X fitted) baseball cap?
Just curious as to why a Samll wouldn't work for you.
They DO go in a ways, and the little pull thing will adjust to sit in the center to pull out of the ear. You just have to bend it a little with your finger--that's what I did. Maybe my ear could fit a Medium too, don't know.
I have a set of the
type you have, but I don't know that they are the Hearos HiFidelity model.
I will try them out tonight, and see what the differences are (I found them yesterday).
In the same boat as you ATM, and if I had $15 to "try out" (a couple drum projects already ITW) the actual Hearos HiFidelity, I'd do it, because now I'm stumped and curious.
I get you on the different sound--I have a set of Peltor ear muffs, and the drums sound freaking awesome with them, but I'm not wearing them on stage, they'd look stupid.
I'm used to an open, resonant sound from the drums, and when I tune them up, or play without plugs, they sound the same with the Earasers. I can only go by my experience with them.
They are light years better sounding than the foam plugs I used before (which actually rate higher at 29), and for me, they have been easy to use and comfortable (if they are warm
). I know I didn't stay with the type you have because of the sound, and the PITA it was to put in, just for "normal" protection and not the
quality of sound.
Too bad about the money spent if you really just don't like them after a bit of use. For me they DO work great, but, not everything is for everyone.
You have them now, so I'd still try them a few times playing the drums in the environment you usually do, without A/B ing them and see what happens. You spent the money so you don't have anything to loose at this point.
If you get good protection, and good results (during & after) then use them, but if you A/B, you're still up against your 10 year sound familiarity, and the "test" is skewed.
After 10 years or whatever, anything is going to be an adjustment--not that you should just change "because", or anything either.
Worse case out of it, you have a good back up set of plugs to protect your ears--if you aren't thinking "I f#king hate them" as you are playing as gig.
I won't tell you to complain to GC that you never put them in your ears after seeing them (and knowing you need a Medium) to get a bigger size. A "It's not fair that you have to see the product out of the package, and then get screwed" type of thing.
They told me to just clean them with warm water and soap.
The rep said they have to throw them out, but I'd guess they would likely clean them up and repackage them if they look absolutely brand new, unless they have health watchdogs over them.
I've used mine since May, and they look brand new still.
Good luck.