3M™ Peltor™ Protac™ III MT13H221A Headset

3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A Headset: intelligent hearing protection and high attenuation

The Peltor ProTac III MT13H221A is an electronic noise-canceling headset designed for noisy industrial environments. It attenuates harmful noise while allowing useful sounds such as voices to pass through.

Its intelligent ambient audio technology amplifies low sounds and automatically cuts out dangerous sound peaks. Ideal for staying in communication without removing the headset.

With a high SNR and robust construction by 3M Peltor, it is a reliable piece of personal protective equipment for demanding professionals.

Presentation of the 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A headset

The 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A is an electronic noise-canceling headset designed for demanding industrial environments. It combines high passive attenuation with active amplification of useful sounds.

Result: the operator clearly hears instructions and alerts, even in a noisy area, without removing their headset. Safety and communication are no longer incompatible.

Its SNR attenuation level of 33 dB positions it among the highest-performing hearing protectors in the Peltor™ range. It is suitable for intense sound exposure, from 100 dB(A) and above.

ProTac™ sound modulation technology: how does it work?

The ProTac™ technology relies on two external microphones that continuously pick up the ambient sound environment. An electronic circuit analyzes the sound level in real time.

Below 82 dB, sounds are amplified up to 4 times. The user perceives voices, warning signals, and machine noises naturally.

As soon as the level exceeds this threshold, automatic compression kicks in in less than 0.5 ms. The headset instantly switches to passive protection mode. The ear is never exposed.

This system is particularly useful in environments with impulse noise: hammer blows, gunshots, detonations, industrial presses. The switch between active/passive is imperceptible to the user.

• Ambient amplification: up to 4×
• Cut-off threshold: 82 dB
• Reaction time: < 0.5 ms
• SNR: 33 dB
• Power supply: 2 AAA batteries
• Battery life: approximately 600 hours

Technical specifications and acoustic performance

The 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A is an electronic noise-canceling headset designed for noisy industrial environments. It combines high passive attenuation and amplification of useful sounds.

Its SNR of 32 dB places it among the highest-performing hearing protectors in the Peltor range. It effectively attenuates impulse noises like hammer blows or gunshots.

The integrated Level Dependent technology amplifies ambient sounds up to 82 dB, then automatically cuts amplification beyond that. The user hears their colleagues without removing their headset.

Main features:

• SNR: 32 dB
• H / M / L: 35 / 31 / 26 dB
• 2 external microphones for natural spatial perception
• 3.5 mm jack audio input for radio or phone
• Power supply: 2 AAA batteries (battery life ~400 hours)
• Adjustable headband, high-density foam cushions
• Weight: approximately 340 g

Model	SNR	Electronics	Connectivity	Primary use
3M Peltor ProTac III MT13H221A	32 dB	Level Dependent	3.5 mm jack	Industry, construction site
3M Peltor ProTac XP	33 dB	Level Dependent	3.5 mm jack	Heavy industry, intense impulse noise
3M Peltor WS ProTac III	32 dB	Level Dependent	Bluetooth + Jack	Industry, wireless communication
Honeywell Howard Leight Sync Elec	30 dB	Level Dependent	3.5 mm jack	Light industry, assembly

The ProTac III remains the versatile standard from 3M for demanding industrial environments. It offers the best balance between attenuation, comfort, and communication in the field.

Comparison: Peltor™ ProTac™ III versus other noise-canceling headsets on the market

The market for active noise-canceling headsets is dense. Here is how the Peltor™ ProTac™ III positions itself against its main competitors.

Model	Manufacturer	SNR	Ambient amplification	Connectivity	Primary use
ProTac™ III MT13H221A	3M™ Peltor™	33 dB	Yes-4 microphones	3.5 mm jack	Industry, hunting, shooting
ProTac™ Hunter	3M™ Peltor™	26 dB	Yes-2 microphones	No	Hunting, outdoor
WS™ Alert XPI	3M™ Peltor™	33 dB	Yes	Bluetooth	Connected industry
Impact® Sport	Howard Leight	22 dB	Yes-2 microphones	3.5 mm jack	Shooting, leisure
SOR/AL1	Sordin	27 dB	Yes	3.5 mm jack	Shooting, law enforcement

The ProTac™ III stands out with its SNR of 33 dB, among the highest in its class with active amplification. This is a decisive advantage in noisy industrial environments.

Its 4 directional microphones offer sound localization far superior to 2-microphone models like the Howard Leight Impact® Sport or the ProTac™ Hunter.

Compared to the Peltor™ WS™ Alert XPI, the ProTac™ III gives up Bluetooth but gains robustness and simplicity of use. Less technology, fewer potential breakdowns in the field.

Compared to the Sordin SOR/AL1, the ProTac™ III boasts a higher SNR and benefits from the 3M™ ecosystem: accessories, replacement shells, compatibility with Peltor™ hard hats.

In summary, the ProTac™ III is the ideal choice for those who want high attenuation, precise ambient listening, and field reliability without compromise.

Recommended applications and work environments

The 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III Headset is designed for industrial environments where noise is intense but communication remains essential.

Its ambient sound amplification technology distinguishes it from classic passive protectors: it amplifies useful sounds (voices, warning signals) while blocking dangerous sound peaks above 82 dB.

It excels in the following sectors:

• Heavy industry: steel mills, foundries, paper mills, high and continuous sound levels
• Construction and public works: sites with machinery, compressors, jackhammers
• Manufacturing industry: assembly lines, presses, machine tools
• Defense and law enforcement: shooting, maneuvers, tactical communication
• Agri-food: noisy packaging areas
• Aeronautics and airports: runways, maintenance hangars

The ProTac™ III is particularly suited to positions where the operator must alternate between noisy and quiet zones, without removing their headset every time they move.

It is also suitable for environments where verbal safety instructions must be heard without removing the protection: team leaders, forklift drivers, maintenance technicians.

Product	Technology	SNR	Target environment
3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III	Active amplification + passive attenuation	33 dB	Heavy industry, defense, construction
3M™ Peltor™ Optime™ III	Passive attenuation only	35 dB	Very noisy environments without the need for communication
3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ Hunter	Active amplification	26 dB	Hunting, sport shooting, low continuous noise
Honeywell Howard Leight Sync	Passive attenuation	30 dB	General industry, standard use

Compliance, certifications, and safety standards

The 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A Headset is compliant with the European directive on personal protective equipment (PPE, EU Regulation 2016/425). It meets the requirements of the EN 352-1 standard, which covers passive hearing protection earmuffs.

Its design also incorporates the EN 352-4 standard, which applies to hearing protectors with level-dependent attenuation. Specifically, the headset allows useful low sounds (voices, alerts) to pass through and automatically blocks dangerous peaks above 82 dB.

The SNR (Single Number Rating) is 26 dB, which classifies this headset in the high attenuation category, suitable for noisy industrial environments between 95 and 105 dB.

Here are the key certifications to remember:

• EN 352-1: passive noise-canceling headband
• EN 352-4: level-dependent attenuation (active technology)
• EU Regulation 2016/425: CE marking category II
• SNR 26 dB: certified overall attenuation

These certifications make the ProTac™ III a choice that complies with French and European regulatory obligations regarding hearing protection on construction sites, in the manufacturing industry, or in noisy logistics.

FAQ - 3M™ Peltor™ ProTac™ III MT13H221A Headset

1. What is the noise attenuation of the Peltor ProTac III?

The Peltor ProTac III MT13H221A boasts an SNR of 26 dB. It is a high-level hearing protector, suitable for noisy industrial environments such as machine shops, construction sites, or production areas.

2. What is the purpose of 3M's ProTac technology?

The ProTac technology amplifies low useful sounds, voices, alarm signals, while automatically blocking dangerous sound peaks above 82 dB. Specifically: you hear your colleagues without removing the headset, and your ears remain protected in the event of sudden noise.

3. Is the ProTac III compatible with other protective equipment?

Yes. The ProTac III is designed to integrate with a safety helmet via Peltor adapters. It can also be paired with safety glasses without compromising the seal of the ear cushions. This is a strong point for users who wear multiple pieces of PPE simultaneously.

4. How long do the batteries last and how to replace them?

The headset operates with 2 AAA batteries, providing an autonomy of approximately 200 hours under normal use. Replacement is simple: the compartments are accessible directly on the cups, without tools.

5. What is the difference between the ProTac III and the ProTac Hunter?

The ProTac III is optimized for industrial use: higher attenuation, reinforced robustness, compatible with helmet adapters. The ProTac Hunter targets outdoor users (hunting, sport shooting) with finer sound directionality but slightly lower attenuation. For a regulated work environment, the ProTac III is the right choice.

6. Is the ProTac III certified for professional use in Europe?

Yes. The Peltor ProTac III meets the EN 352-4 standard, which governs active level-limiting hearing protectors. It is CE certified and compliant with European regulatory requirements for category III PPE. At Dagobert Industrie, we only offer products that comply with current standards.