I don\u2019t envy newer manufacturers trying to break into a crowded market space, especially one with an established, long-term market leader. Scopes, AR-15s, and, yes, ear protection. <\/p>\n
So when I say in the intro<\/em> that the Savior Equipment Apollo<\/a> ear protection is worth your time to read about (and your money to buy), it\u2019s because I\u2019ve been impressed, and I think you should know why.<\/p>\n So, there\u2019s thankfully little hyper-tech-lingo, and a lot of specs in blue-collar English. Here\u2019s what I think before the first range days: The Apollo is sturdy. This is clearly well-built and easily on par with the $300 Peltors I\u2019ve been using. No foam on the exterior covering the mikes. The gel cups are slightly more solid than the Noisefighters I\u2019ve used for years, and are comfortable. The Apollo is simple. One knob, that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n One of the big technological leaps over the last few years is the jump from analog to digital circuits. In my opinion, Analog gives a much better sound quality (think old-school Howard Leight Impact Sport). <\/p>\n Digital gives a faster \u201cattack\u201d time, meaning how many milliseconds after a loud noise is detected before the audio circuit dampens that noise. The digital sets perform better in this metric, but I dislike the \u201ctinny\u201d sound quality and squealing feedback (consider Howard Leight Bolt, Auto Ears). <\/p>\n With digital headsets, it sounds like I\u2019m listening to the world through a video being played on a nearby cell phone. The Savior Equipment Apollo uses analog circuity, and I\u2019m glad it does. Sound quality is much more natural, with better differentiation as to near\/far noises.<\/p>\n The Apollo ear protection headset has just as good of sound quality as the Peltor 500 and the original Howard Leight Impact Sport (not the HL Bolt<\/em> or the New Impact<\/em>, both of which I like less).<\/p>\n I\u2019ve waited for improvement in the total Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). <\/p>\n The industry sales leader Howard Leight Impact Sport headsets offer a 22 NRR at ~$60. HL\u2019s New Impact Sport<\/em> is 21<\/strong> NRR at ~$181. The excellent Peltor Tactical 300 series gives a 24 NRR at ~$122. Peltor 500? 26 NRR at ~$160. <\/p>\n The Savior Equipment Apollo ear-pro brings 24 NRR at $49.99, the best bang for your buck.<\/strong><\/p>\n How is the cost kept down? One way is by eliminating excess tech. A lot of ear protection I\u2019ve reviewed lately has Bluetooth, and while I like it well enough, I don\u2019t use it often. Judging by the comments section, lots of you don\u2019t either. <\/p>\n There\u2019s no need to pay for a feature you don\u2019t use; let the premium-priced headsets offer that. That\u2019s the Bluetooth hardware, the on\/off\/connect button, and the volume controls\u2014eliminated.<\/p>\n The battery cap pops off easy enough, sliding upwards like so many other brands.<\/p>\n A little bonus feature the Savior Equipment Apollo offers that most don\u2019t? Patch panels. A little strip about 1\u2033x2\u2033 on each side of the headband allows you to attach your own patches via Finally, the Apollo comes in 12 colors. These range from tactical (FDE, OD Green, Black), to wild (Peach, Prison Pink, Safety Orange). I\u2019m pretty sure they have something for mom, dad, and any of the kids as well. The surface is a nice matte material (on my OD Green set at least, can\u2019t speak for all colors) that doesn\u2019t<\/p>\n Too much BOOM? Try some boom. That\u2019s the point of ear protection right? <\/p>\n Traditional muffs have a far higher NRR than even the best electronic ear pro because the space usually taken up by circuit boards is instead stuffed with foam. The trade-off is that electronic ear pro offers a significant improvement in situational awareness, primarily in the ability to communicate without shouting at people right next to you.<\/p>\n So, features and bullet points aside, how does the Apollo work?<\/p>\n Damn well. The increase from 22 NRR (my usual go-to headset) to 24 NRR is noticeable. Muffling gunshots isn\u2019t a problem for the Apollo. You also don\u2019t get the \u201cdead mike\u201d effect with some other electronic headsets, where there\u2019s a noticeable lag of silence before the circuit opens back up. The Apollo is responsive.<\/p>\n Hearing the people you\u2019re shooting with is one of the big benefits of a headset like this, which is all for nothing if the sound quality sucks. Thankfully the Apollo excels here as well. The audio is leaps and bounds better than the last headset I reviewed, Auto Ears<\/a>. I\u2019d say this is on par for the best audio quality around, given that it\u2019s easy to forget you\u2019re wearing it. That\u2019s both in regards to how natural the sound quality is, as well as\u2026<\/p>\n Physical comfort. The Apollo\u2019s headband has a padded, mesh lining. The ear cups are gel filled, and stay cool even on a hot range day. The whole assembly is adjusted via the same sliding bars nearly every unit uses. <\/p>\n There was a bit too much pressure on my head, so I bent the headband slightly, similar to metal framed eye protection. Easy! The Apollo matches up well with the Intrepid Warbird BT<\/a>, and the Peltor 500<\/a>. After a few hours at the range, I didn\u2019t feel the need to pop the headset off during every \u201ccold range\u201d period, as I have to do with so many others.<\/p>\n The bottom line is that the Savior Equipment Apollo just\u00a0works<\/em>.<\/span> There\u2019s only one, small downside so far, and that\u2019s mild to moderate wind noise. <\/p>\n I didn\u2019t notice anything with a small breeze, it actually started when I was sprinting (I\u2019m not that<\/em> fast). I think it\u2019s due to the steel mesh covering the microphones, instead of using foam like most do. Foam cuts wind better, steel is obviously much more durable. <\/p>\n The microphones are recessed, so I don\u2019t really have any ideas for a quick DIY fix on this. If you shoot in a really windy area (hello Utah), expect some wind noise.<\/p>\n It\u2019s shocking that Savior Equipment is not only bringing an electronic hearing protection headset to market that\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>competitive features wise, but they\u2019re also pricing it under nearly every other option out there. $49.99<\/a> is a damn good price for a headset that\u2019s comfortable, sounds good, and has a better NRR than the best selling headset out there. This is a better deal than pretty much anything else available.<\/p>\n If you need an effective set of ear protection and don\u2019t need to pay for unused comms or bluetooth, I highly recommend the Savior Equipment Apollo. I\u2019m confident that if you try it, you\u2019ll like it as much as I do.<\/p>\nApollo Tech Specs:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Where To Buy<\/h2>\n
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Savior-Equipment-Apollo-Ear-Protection-1024x1024.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2.jpg\")
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5.jpg\")
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6.jpg\")
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4.jpg\")
velcro<\/s> hook loop pile, or use the included American flag and name badge patches.<\/p>\nSavior Equipment Apollo At The Range:<\/h2>\n
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8.jpg\")
![\"Savior](\"https:\/\/cdn-ildeanb.nitrocdn.com\/WfSYgsTNsGINqorISNFoOjQQQrKTrUAP\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-ba9458e\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7.jpg\")
Bottom Line, Bottom Dollar:<\/h2>\n