I haven't used the Ear Peace HDs. The ER-20xs is significantly smaller than the old ER-20, just barely protruding beyond the ear canal. The Ear Peace plugs may be a better option if you're prone to getting whacked in the head. The ER-20xs has an optional neck cord, which I find to be a handy feature. They also work with a range of foam and silicone tips, so are more likely to fit a broad range of ears.
>If anything, they made gigs sound better to me.
As I mentioned in my comment, the sound engineer is almost certainly either wearing ear plugs or half deaf. Either one causes a substantial roll-off of high frequencies, so the engineer is likely to subconsciously compensate by boosting the treble in the mix. If you've got plugs in, you're hearing something much closer to his intended mix. It's a totally perverse situation, but gigs almost always sound better with ear protection.
>If anything, they made gigs sound better to me.
As I mentioned in my comment, the sound engineer is almost certainly either wearing ear plugs or half deaf. Either one causes a substantial roll-off of high frequencies, so the engineer is likely to subconsciously compensate by boosting the treble in the mix. If you've got plugs in, you're hearing something much closer to his intended mix. It's a totally perverse situation, but gigs almost always sound better with ear protection.