Yes, it does seem that way sometimes and I don't know if it is actually true or a psychological phenomenon.
Better sound on rainy days?
Does anyone else notice this? I also get better FM reception on rainy days.
40 responses Add your response
I've been thinking about this too! I can't say for sure if the sound is better or not when it's raining, but it does seem a little different. In my house I can hear the rain so it adds a sort of white noise to the background. I find I have the volume turned up a little higher when it's raining. Technically a speaker should be more efficient at generating sound if the air is cold and dry and the air pressure is high. How audible that is at naturally occurring extremes and whether it sounds better or worse as a result I don't know. Maybe there's some research on it. How the weather effects us physically might have a larger effect on our subjective evaluation of sound quality than any change in the actual signal reaching our ears. |
As it happens, I just installed a TV antenna in my attic a few days ago. I am using it for the FM reception and my tuner is in the basement. I keep a close ear to the results, as I am very picky about this. Yes, it did rain the very next day, and even though there wasn't a noise level to worried about, the voices in the FM transmission were more clear. As the weather dried up the area, reception was still great but the music wasn’t quite as full. Signal strength remained the same. Having said this, there is a notable mystery noise that comes from some sort of interference or noise from this area. It sounds like a control signal of some sort. When it comes to radio transmission/reception you can’t always have it all. The weather has no effect on this rare noise. |
@yyzsantabarbara, They burrow into the mud and go into hibernation until it rains again. Doesn't sound like much of a life, but I guess we all have to play the hand we're dealt. |
Rain is like a waterfall....The atmosphere become ionized... Ionization act on the body of the listener and in the room physical atmosphere making sound waves traveling and interacting more " easily" in the room ... «Raining also causes an increase of negative ions in the air; negatively charged particles that come about because of lightning and the friction between the rain and the air. These ions can significantly improve the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, helping people feel more comfortable and relaxed.»
I own a grid of ionizers, three different complementary types in my room....With the low cost Schuman generators grid they are my main non-Helmotlzian devices for my room acoustic control... 😁😊 All that at very low cost and with a big impact... Ionization help a lot to create an intimate sound effect like listening to an headphone but the sound is outside the head 😊 but ionization alone will not be enough, i used a foldable wood screen as a psycho-acoustic devices to work with speakers A and B for ear A and B loke a lense balancing direct waves and reflkected waves.... But it is another matter not related to the OP question... If you think i am "nut" read this review about Mr. Ishiguro costly acoustic panel using tourmaline as ionization device...And Mr. Ishiguro is anything but nut in Japan audio circles...
What are the audible effect of ionizing the room? I will borrow the words of the reviewer, they describe better than i would have, the effect of ionization, even if here he spoke also about acoutic panels where the ionizing tourmaline is indeed integrated... «The panels do not modify the colors, but they bring them out, they do not add top or bottom, but better focus the edges of the sound spectrum. The sound is much more engaging with them and also more relaxing. Virtually everything is improved—from space, through color, to dynamics.» This describe well the effect i feel with my ionization devices, i dont claim that my cheap devices can replace three panels costing near 8 ,000 bucks for the three but my ratio S.Q. /price ( under 200 bucks) is over the roof... I wrote this to motivate people to create their own devices and experiments.... |
Didn't hear what other signals may be coming to the OP's location other than FM . There probably are many opinions about this crazy idea. But, many years ago I experienced a similar observance. Back then my primary sources were vinyl, cassette, and FM radio. There are some theories about enhancement of transmission caused by weather conditions. That depends on the source of the transmission. |
Comments about sound in water and whales are irrelevant, unless you and your system are fully submerged. Air pressure influences our ability to hear. Depending on the amount of rain, the effect it has on the ambient temperature will help with overhead power supply cooling and improved transmission efficiency, which is a factor in providing a cleaner power input. Also, if you have a local grounding system, the resistivity reduces if the rain is sufficient to get down to the grounding. This can be a significant factor in revealing systems. Your aircon and fridge is not working so hard in cooler weather = your hi-fi system gets a cleaner power input. Psychologically, a dull day could focus our minds on the music more than a sunny day, which may offer more external distractions. Depending on where you live, you may feel more comfortable in a lower ambient temperature. Then your mood could be improved.
|
My favorite radio station is WBGO FM. Jazz Station is in Newark, NJ, but broadcasting antenna is in NYC 26 miles away. My 2012 Volvo C70's miserable radio can only receive a strong enough signal to be noise free on cloudy days. Comes in fine in everybody else's car every day all day. Just a bit more signal please. |
@mitchb I’ll have to admin I do agree! Also, never test drive a car on a rainy day. They drive smoother a quieter. I know that has nothing to do with why our audio systems sound on a rainy day but was the only analogy that came to mind. interesting that you should bring this up. |
@dinov unless you live in the Pacific NW. |
My 1st car was a 1958 Ford with a 312 T Bird motor. It had a hood scoop which had an emblem which was just a styling cue. However, I knocked out the emblem and installed screen wire in its place. It was then a real hood scoop. On a rainy day, that car was very noticeably faster. It was somewhat of a thrill to drive except for one problem. The windshield wipers were vacuum operated. So, if you really accelerated hard, the wipers stopped. That feature probably saved my life. I was 16, wild and crazy and didn't care. IOW I was the typical 16 yr old... |
At 16 myself i cannot afford a bycicle....( i bought only books with my scarce money) I discovered someday the cheap house my father, a poor workman, dream to buy without never daring to buy one because of cost... He buy me a cat.....Instead of a dog to give a reward ... This cat was a tiger and even attack guest, he sleep on my bed only and keep guard.... My dad did not buy me a 1958 Ford, Lucky you....I will de dead if he has did so... 😁😊
|
As reported by HAM radio operators...the distances their signals travel are much greater on cloudy days easily traveling to Europe and beyond due to being contained by the clouds. As to cars running better/stronger is because the moist air flashes to steam during the combustion cycle. There is such a thing as water injection to tame detonation (pre-ignition). Regards, barts |
My mother ws a single mom in the 50’s. Dad left when I was 3. So there was no one to buy a car for me. I started cutting grass when I was about 10 yrs old and saved my $$ to buy a car. Then I had to choose between a car and drums which I dearly wanted. The car was a way out and so, more important. it cost me $150. Owned by a little old school teacher.............................who apparently never changed the oil. Thus the T Bird engine which i got a bank loan for at 16. it took til I was 19-20 to get my drums. So nothing was handed to me. This is the car, not the bird
|
Interesting story and beautiful car of this era...I am a bit jealous because i bought my first car at 25 years old to see the woman i will marry...I always wanted a car but cycling cost me less and i needed books... At 20 i owned 2,500 books evaluated to 12,000 bucks , i computed the numbers and price, and i take a loan of 800 bucks to buy more... This was a pain because it takes me a few years to repay... I lost my job... My father was desesperate about my deranged mind! I would have freak him less if i have bought a car instead of useless books... My father has no education of any kind, a hard tough man....Same is true for the motorcycle i never buy...For the same reason.... 😁😊 Thanks for your story .... |
@mahgister / etal With your car performance analogy, I suggest the air, or the O2, density is providing the largest influence. Hence the reason why some car engines are fitted with inlet manifold intercoolers. H2O injection was a big thing in motorsport several years ago, because of the release of O2 into the combustion chamber increased power output for a given engine capacity, until it was banned by regulation. Interesting about -ive ions. They will play a part as actual humidity rises. Cheers, BP |
Good point! My best to you....
|
I remember listening to it in my school basement, when walking down the stairs to the coffee room... Asking what is this? I was 15 years old studying latin and Greek... 😁😊 And my bad english to this day was learned badly by me from this very good school .... I had never listened to such a sound before... And never after... Hendrix was a poet like Dylan... I am sorry he die so young... |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
