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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
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The idea came from a study of our atmosphere. The ionosphere is a high layer of the atmosphere that because it is charged reflects a certain range of electromagnetic radiation back to earth, where it bounces back again. Since the Earth is round this layer is spherical and so like anything else if you hit it with some energy that will excite it and the whole thing will vibrate or ring. 

So your lightning or volcanic eruption puts energy in, triggering the so-called Schumann resonances. There are a number of them. I don't know if 6.5Hz is any more representative or not. Where the 7.83 came from, for all I know it is easy to make them that way, it falls within the range, and more numbers to the right of the decimal point makes any number sound a whole lot more sciency and precise whether it is or not.

technohead
3 posts
 
Everywhere I've read, the spacing between each "mode", from 14.3 Hz on up, is about 6.5 Hz in spacing.
It occurs to me that, since simple pulse generators based on oscillators like the 555 timer put out a square or rectangular pulse, their outputs cannot be correctly simulating the Schumann Resonances, because the discrepancy between the true harmonics of the pulse generator's 7.83 Hz, and the Schumann partials at 6.5 Hz spacing, keeps growing as you move up in frequency.
The only frequency the two have in common is the fundamental, of 7.83 Hz.  This problem has bothered me for a while, and suggests to me that we really don't understand the reasons for the discrepancy. Wikipedia and others say it's due to the spherical geometry involved, but that really doesn't explain things adequately. And the formula they give seems empirical and gives erroneous answers for the predicted frequencies of the upper modes or partials.
Just thought I'd post this question to see if anyone else had noticed that things don't quite add up.
Thanks for your response.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"...if anyone else had noticed that things don't quite add up."

Many have.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,173 posts
 
Anyway i dont think that S.G. work in my audio system by the emission of a very "precise" electro magnetic pulse corresponding to the very EXACT Schumann resonance... Any low pulse or infrasound near 7 hertz will do....

i bought some chinese S.G. for 10 bucks and it is easy to guess how they work, increasing the acoustical listener envelopment factor of sound....They introduce some low pulse in the electrical grid of the room and this help a lot to focus and enhance the "sound impression"...Any low frequencies , infrasound one, will do.... It is my hypothesis.... I am not a scientist....

One thing is certain if i want to use them for a better sleep i will order more costlier and efficient one able to produce a stable exact 7.83 hertz ....

But an experiment in audio for 20 bucks will only give fun....

If not, called that "snake oil" and go for the rest of your life clamouring with a "proof" that all audiophiles are idiots.... Is it not worth it to be able to laugh at people for so less money ? 😊

I apologize for my sarcasm....


technohead
3 posts
 
Sarcasm and Satire, in my opinion, are some of the highest forms of humor!
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