Holostages - critical review

[pmiller]

These things have proven to be the focus of sustained interest and continued experimentation for, among other reasons, the issue remains as to how and why the hell do they work. Numerous people have reported the effectiveness of these things - I myself use them and find them to have an effect- but only one poster has been able to reference a site that purports to provide a semblance of an explanation. It's would be almost embarrassing to get caught placing these little boxes around the room and continuing to move them around and experiment -and then again each time listen to the effect we believe they have - in systems which in some cases are valued at $50,000.00 or more.

 

[Willgolf]

These things have proven to be the focus of sustained interest and continued experimentation for, among other reasons, the issue remains as to how and why the hell do they work. Numerous people have reported the effectiveness of these things - I myself use them and find them to have an effect- but only one poster has been able to reference a site that purports to provide a semblance of an explanation. It's would be almost embarrassing to get caught placing these little boxes around the room and continuing to move them around and experiment -and then again each time listen to the effect we believe they have - in systems which in some cases are valued at $50,000.00 or more.

Every component, cable, tube, cord, or tweak can enhance listening enjoyment. In many cases, it is additive. Sometimes, it might only be a 1-2% improvement. I had over 24 HFTs, and I found they did nothing. I have a high-end system valued way over $500k. You might wonder, if your system is that good, why must you do anything? You probably don't, but when I played around with the Holostages, it took the music to an entirely different wavelength. The music for whatever reason, science be damned, just sounded crystal clear with an encompassing soundstage all around me. I am not smart enough to understand the science behind them, and frankly, I do not care. They work for me, and that is all that matters.

 

[Chop]

These things have proven to be the focus of sustained interest and continued experimentation for, among other reasons, the issue remains as to how and why the hell do they work. Numerous people have reported the effectiveness of these things - I myself use them and find them to have an effect- but only one poster has been able to reference a site that purports to provide a semblance of an explanation. It's would be almost embarrassing to get caught placing these little boxes around the room and continuing to move them around and experiment -and then again each time listen to the effect we believe they have - in systems which in some cases are valued at $50,000.00 or more.

(my bold and colour change)
Pmiller, I'm not picking a row with you here.
I absolutely understand what you are saying about their effect being almost embarrassing in the context of £50k+ systems, but "the effect we believe they have" doesn't come into it - the fact that they make a positive difference is undeniable and acknowledged even among the most sceptical on this thread.
Like you, I feel uncomfortable that I can't understand how or why they do what they do, but that doesn't negate their effect. I think we just have to accept it, turn your left brain off and enjoy!

...Or thinking about the bolded text again: if the Holostage price vs the system price feels disproportionate, does this mean you would feel more comfortable with them if the price of Holostages was tripled?

 

[MacF]

(my bold and colour change)
Pmiller, I'm not picking a row with you here.
I absolutely understand what you are saying about their effect being almost embarrassing in the context of £50k+ systems, but "the effect we believe they have" doesn't come into it - the fact that they make a positive difference is undeniable and acknowledged even among the most sceptical on this thread.
Like you, I feel uncomfortable that I can't understand how or why they do what they do, but that doesn't negate their effect. I think we just have to accept it, turn your left brain off and enjoy!

...Or thinking about the bolded text again: if the Holostage price vs the system price feels disproportionate, does this mean you would feel more comfortable with them if the price of Holostages was tripled?

Heartsound Audio - Nirvana Sound

Aesthetix, an awe-inspiring brand of high-end audio electronics that has been bringing musical enjoyment to the audiophile community since 1993.

nirvanasound.com

 

[Republicoftexas69]

These things have proven to be the focus of sustained interest and continued experimentation for, among other reasons, the issue remains as to how and why the hell do they work. Numerous people have reported the effectiveness of these things - I myself use them and find them to have an effect- but only one poster has been able to reference a site that purports to provide a semblance of an explanation. It's would be almost embarrassing to get caught placing these little boxes around the room and continuing to move them around and experiment -and then again each time listen to the effect we believe they have - in systems which in some cases are valued at $50,000.00 or more.

I felt the same way before I ordered them, figured what the heck and ordered a set and guess what everyone here was right they work. I wanted to see the white papers, lab reports, any sort of a scientific explanation as to why I should order them and why they work. If you are worried about being embarrassed then don't bother.

 

[pmiller]

"If you are worried about being embarrassed then don't bother." The comment about embarrassment was meant in humor.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

"If you are worried about being embarrassed then don't bother." The comment about embarrassment was meant in humor.

Okay, sarcasm can be lost on me at times. So sorry, but I did feel the same way about these products with the lack of technical data. Cheers.

 

[pmiller]

Okay, sarcasm can be lost on me at times. So sorry, but I did feel the same way about these products with the lack of technical data. Cheers." --- No problem, cheers to you as well. I have many times thought, now and in the past and sometimes with my wife's counsel in mind, that this is a hobby where you can consciously undertake things that make absolutely no intuitive sense whatsoever and still feel good about what you're doing and the results you end up with.

 

[pmiller]

Okay, sarcasm can be lost on me at times. So sorry, but I did feel the same way about these products with the lack of technical data. Cheers." --- No problem, cheers to you as well. I have many times thought, now and in the past and sometimes with my wife's counsel in mind, that this is a hobby where you can consciously undertake things that make absolutely no intuitive sense whatsoever and still feel good about what you're doing and the results you end up with. Do you think this behavior can further deteriorate?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Every day these little old black boxes amaze me.

 

[MacF]

Heartsound Audio - Nirvana Sound

Aesthetix, an awe-inspiring brand of high-end audio electronics that has been bringing musical enjoyment to the audiophile community since 1993.

nirvanasound.com

I’m certainly no scientist, however, the description of ions, air & speed of sound seems as plausible as any offering thus far. Those reading this who are brighter than me, please see the link above & scroll down past the photo of a single holostage.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I’m certainly no scientist, however, the description of ions, air & speed of sound seems as plausible as any offering thus far. Those reading this who are brighter than me, please see the link above & scroll down past the photo of a single holostage

I am a Mechanical Engineer and the only time we use graphine is in Triboligy to reduce friction across two surfaces.

 

[MacF]

For those wondering about lifespan of the Holostages, this from Krissy Tetrault of Heartsound Audio.

"I have prototypes that are going on 16 years old, still strong as all get up.

****
Nanoparticles and crystals have no lifespan. Last for years and years without losing effect!!!!"

 

[Tuffy7]

I have many of the different Heartsound products in my system. They all work and together have a cumulative effect. The holostages are nice as they are the most portable. Some of the effects of Krissy's products are a larger soundstage in all directions, fuller denser sound, more detail, increased three dimensionality and a more natural tone. The overtones of instruments flow throughout the whole soundstage. Last night I just put in a ground box and attached it to my LSA Satatement integrated amplifier with the Exemplar modifications and top notch Mullard tubes and so far the sound is even better. Wow. I will report later next week on the thread for the ground box. So far a definite notch or two up in the fullness of the sound.

 

[Huggster99]

Hi all,

Hadn't read the thread for awhile...I am so happy it blossomed.

I have a skeptic inside me too but as I have aged, or become wiser, I have been able to turn it off when dealing with audio tweaks.

And yes, there are many gimmicks or false promises out there, but I am so glad that I took the plunge with purchasing the Halostages!

For my audio room, which has odd dimensions, I found the best placement was two sets (per picture - and Spidey rules!) inside of two window wells.

And a single in front of room and behind me about 4 feet high.

And the closest I have come to describing improvement would be "like room was treated" allowing better depth, lower noise floor, and excellent vocals or orchestral movements.

And it should be added, Krissy has provided some great suggestions and she convinced me to get treatments for power panel

Awesome

 

[Halydean]

Question to long time users or others with experience:
They have no power source so will they lose efficacy over time?

I've got a few very old ones, pre-dating the black box containers. They still sound the same as they previously did, at the time of writing this.

Regarding longevity, I think if they were dropped hard enough that the seals broke they could dry out and become like the older, slightly less potent sounding ones.

 

[Halydean]

Coming soon-- I am going to post a link to a video of my system, for anyone here curious about my latest iteration of Holostage placement. Chuck Miller has a YouTube channel and has been driving around the US in his RV listening to different systems that belong to hifi manufacturers, reviewers, and individuals. His channel is called "The Audio Files." He is admittedly not a video guy but the quality of his videos has been improving a lot. His videos of Robert Harley's system and the inner sanctum at Shunyata were some of my favorites. It's a fun channel seeing a tour of the rigs of other audiophiles, followed by a lav mic audio recording of their system (which, when you compare it to his other crappy recordings, you can actually hear the general differences between systems).

At any rate, I have a pile of various Heartsound Audio components and I will be giving a little tour of them all, with some rambling commentary and discussion on placement and some other tweaks. I will post a link after it's up on YouTube.

 

[HiFi Live]

Coming soon-- I am going to post a link to a video of my system, for anyone here curious about my latest iteration of Holostage placement. Chuck Miller has a YouTube channel and has been driving around the US in his RV listening to different systems that belong to hifi manufacturers, reviewers, and individuals. His channel is called "The Audio Files." He is admittedly not a video guy but the quality of his videos has been improving a lot. His videos of Robert Harley's system and the inner sanctum at Shunyata were some of my favorites. It's a fun channel seeing a tour of the rigs of other audiophiles, followed by a lav mic audio recording of their system (which, when you compare it to his other crappy recordings, you can actually hear the general differences between systems).

At any rate, I have a pile of various Heartsound Audio components and I will be giving a little tour of them all, with some rambling commentary and discussion on placement and some other tweaks. I will post a link after it's up on YouTube.

It appears that the devices talked about here are basically the same ones Stein Music developed over a decade ago. I find Synergistic Research to have many of the same devices. While I am skeptical of any claims made that have no real explanation or credible theory as to what a device can do I was introduced to these over 10 years ago from Fidelis Audio a dealer in the north east. Some of the devices from Stein have even been reviewed by Absolute Sound and others. Just thought that anyone into these devices would also appreciate knowing about Stein.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

It appears that the devices talked about here are basically the same ones Stein Music developed over a decade ago. I find Synergistic Research to have many of the same devices. While I am skeptical of any claims made that have no real explanation or credible theory as to what a device can do I was introduced to these over 10 years ago from Fidelis Audio a dealer in the north east. Some of the devices from Stein have even been reviewed by Absolute Sound and others. Just thought that anyone into these devices would also appreciate knowing about Stein.

Actually not.

 

[Halydean]

It appears that the devices talked about here are basically the same ones Stein Music developed over a decade ago. I find Synergistic Research to have many of the same devices. While I am skeptical of any claims made that have no real explanation or credible theory as to what a device can do I was introduced to these over 10 years ago from Fidelis Audio a dealer in the north east. Some of the devices from Stein have even been reviewed by Absolute Sound and others. Just thought that anyone into these devices would also appreciate knowing about Stein.

Comparing the Stein device to the Holostages is sort of like comparing an IBM 386 in a black tower running an algorithm to a rack of modern GPU-based servers in black towers running an AI.