2. misc-audio
  3. 151198-122613

Why Do Schumann Resonators Work?

Schumann Resonators are little boxes you plug into the wall that produce electromagnetic radiation tuned to 7.83 Hz. This is the frequency that the earth/atmosphere system “rings” at when the Earth is struck by lightning. It is also a common frequency your brain “ticks” at.

When employed in the listening room, many people claim it makes their audio sound better. If this is true, then what is the mechanism of action?

-Is it a matter of the resonator producing a more relaxed mental state?
-Does it help block or alter electromagnetic interference?
-Does it add its own electromagnetic interference to your system that just so happens to be pleasing?

I experimented with one recently and what I noticed is that it seemed to remove some of the high frequency nasties or what some might call “digital glare” (although digital glare can also show up in analog systems). When I made this observation, the resonator was placed right next to my power strip that my CD player, preamp and some other devices are plugged into.

My “proof” of the effect is that I could turn the volume up louder than usual without it sounding “too loud.” The sound levels of the system weren’t any quieter, it’s just that the digital glare was reduced so that I could go louder before thinking “this is too loud,” which usually isn’t a sound level thing per se but the point as which some frequency (often the highs) become irritating.

So who here has experience with these devices? Do you like them? Does anyone know why they work?
128x128mkgus
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

wlutke
geoffkait
"Acoustic waves are on a different spectrum."

That’s the root of my question. Below radio frequencies is the ultrasonic, sonic and subsonic, none of which can be broadcast without an electromagnetic carrier frequency. Does that not preclude a subsonic electromagnetic wave?

>>>>>The “electromagnetic spectrum” goes from DC 0 Hz to visible light and beyond, with increasingly more energetic photons as the particle involved. That’s why I used the ELF as an example of extremely low frequency EM radiation/wave. ELF is a radio program/transmitter, thus the ELF Signal is a radio frequency. I realize we usually think of “radio frequencies” as very high frequencies, like microwave.

The Schumann frequency - both the natural one and the one generated by all these various devices - except the CD - is an electromagnetic radiation/wave. And obeys the laws of such waves, I.e., Maxwell equations, speed of light in a vacuum, etc. The CD generates an acoustic wave of frequency 7.83 Hz.
wlutke
727 posts
 
geoffkait,
I understand.  My point being broadcast electromagnet spectrum vs that which requires a conductor to propagate (DC to sub radio.)   Yes, electromagnetic audio frequencies can be transmitted through wire but there is no wave transmitted, only current through, and a field about, a wire.  How can a 7.83 Hz signal be broadcast into a room without a carrier wave?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,304 posts
 
There is nothing wrong with reaching conclusions by conjecture if that is all there is. Just be aware of how the conclusion was reached.

con·jec·ture/kənˈjekCHər/
  1. an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
So the way it works is you cite references that help support the things you say if you want them to carry more weight.

Being a rebel and not caring is fine too, just don’t expect to get to play by one’s own rules alone and expect your opinions to carry much weight with others.

There may well be something to this Schumann audiophile thing. Music is after all just a bunch of resonances at various frequencies and no doubt it has a psychological effect on people. Why not frequencies that are a part of our natural environment? Who knows?

Question: How do you know that the resonator device is working properly? Everything breaks eventually. Some devices are defective and do not work as they should.  Is there some sensor or detector provided to test? How else would you know?




geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
They have little lights are are ON when the device is working. Even my little BLACK USB dumaflaches. Brilliant, eh?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
wlutke
geoffkait,
I understand. My point being broadcast electromagnet spectrum vs that which requires a conductor to propagate (DC to sub radio.) Yes, electromagnetic audio frequencies can be transmitted through wire but there is no wave transmitted, only current through, and a field about, a wire. How can a 7.83 Hz signal be broadcast into a room without a carrier wave?

>>>>You’re losing me, not all EM waves require a conductor. Look not further than cell phones, TV signals, NASA transmission through free space to the Moon or to command Voyager, Mars Lander, etc. and the ELF transmissions. It’s the same with the natural Schumann EM wave and the artificial one, they’re both transmission through free space and air. Just like microwaves.

As for the current and the wave - the current is the wave. Wave hello! 🤗 The audio waveform is not traveling down the wire, only the current and voltage. The audio frequencies - the audio waveform - the speakers generate in the room is determined by how fast the alternating current (EM wave) alternates on the two wires + and -.
More to discover