Thanks for reporting on this. Have heard good things about them from some other users over here, those who have decent systems. Similar effect to what you have mentioned. Been skeptical though, the placebo effect / expectation bias and all that. Plus, their pricing requires a considered decision.
Now that, skeptical as you were, you have tried and experienced the same result, I am getting more curious.:hmmm:
Are the results akin to a component level change or incremental?
Which of the components result in the more significant changes?
I’m ALWAYS skeptical of such things. What he did was start out using the active devices (H2). They use two double AA batteries and last 2-3 years without changing.
Then, slowly, you add the passive devices: in the middle up front, then about 2 feet behind the speaker on the wall, then parallel to the tweeter/back a couple of inches, then ideally, just in front of the listener on the side walls and one behind and quite far above the listeners head (I will post some pictures later).
The active devices and passive devices work together in unison. For example, if you move the one passive unit at the front of the room lower, the voice of the singer moves lower. Move it higher, and the voice moves higher. We placed it at a heigh which would have you believe the singer was standing at the front of the room. Nothing is fixed and it’s easy to move to hear the affect.
You can then add two more active units behind the listener (think near corner of back walls), angle them in and the affect again goes to another level.
What is this affect? The best way I can describe it is “the room disappears”. It’s like adding the “MBL” affect to conventional speakers. This is FAR beyond a component change, more in line with a room change or a speaker change.
I kept pressing Holger for more information. He said, “it’s very complicated stuff, quantum physics.” I then looked up Holger’s pedigree and indeed found him to be a physicist and engineer. OK, fair enough, way over my head. But he then asked me, “how much does a cubic meter of air weight?” Having not taken a science class since high school (other than computer science in University), I proudly responded “nothing! Air doesn’t weigh anything!” Holger says, “well, actually, one cubic meter of air weights 1.293 kg. That’s kilograms.” Huh? Well, you learn something new every day. A quick look on google confirmed this.
Holger further went on to explain that because of the density of air, it affects sound waves quite dramatically. OK, so far, this is starting to make sense. Beyond that, it’s a quantum physics level that would require me to return to College, and other than the drinking and partying with beautiful women, there’s just no appeal for me to do that!
I found this quote:
“Enter German physicist, engineer, and audiophile Holger Stein. He discovers that air vibrates at certain frequencies and, in the presence of those vibrations, becomes more compliant. If air is more compliant, then sound waves have an easier path to your ears. Enter the SteinMusic Harmonizers... elegant boxes sold in pairs that generate vibrations that make the air more transmissive of music in all its complexities.”
Source:
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue59/stein_music_harmonizer.htm
I have been carrying Stein products for over two years now. Mostly for his amazing phono cartridges and carbon fiber record mats. But Holger always remained insistent that I try his Room Acoustic products. Of course, I was always skeptical. Not any more. I will be saving up and buying some for my home system and every room in the store (I purchased two full sets for the store yesterday).
I completely understand if folks remain skeptical. Mike (who works with me) was there while Holger worked on the first room (we stayed until 7pm to finish the second room, but Mike had left). The before and after was so dramatic, I was writing a check on the spot.
A side benefit? I didn’t want to go home. The listening experience/pleasure was multiplied by 10 times. Like I said, it’s like giving the “MBL” affect to a normal cone and dome speaker.
I once again asked Holger to explain how everything works, he said, “in the simplest terms, the active and passive devices work together to help music travel through the air with much more ease.”
Remain skeptical until you get a chance to experience it. Then you will be a convert - guaranteed.
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