Holostages - critical review

[Republicoftexas69]

Ok, so I continue to be frustrated by my hearing a difference with the Holostages in place in my listening room, yet not understanding how it is possible. So I decided to try to see if anything was clearly measurable.
I am not a measurements geek, I don't know or own REW, and I only have a passing familiarity with acoustics. But here's what I did:
- I have a calibrated Dayton Audio measurement mic that I plugged into my iPhone.
- I placed the phone and mic on a table near my normal listening seat.
- I opened the FFT Plot app and set it to Slow Average.
- I found the Pink Noise track from the old Stereophile Test CD, which was saved to the internal SSD of my Pachanko server.
- I played the pink noise track (1) with my four Holostages in place; (2) with the rear two Holostages removed; (3) with all four Holostages removed; and (4) again with all four Holostages in place.
- I snapped a screenshot of the resulting plots at 60 seconds into the track and again at 90 seconds into the track.
Here are the eight plots that resulted from the four different scenarios described in the previous paragraph. (In case you're wondering about the high-frequency fall-off in all of the plots, I realized that the microphone was about 30 inches below my normal seated ear level. Sorry, but I didn't want to go through it all again...).
View attachment 148926
(Above) All four Holostages in place, 60 seconds into track
View attachment 148927
(Above) All four Holostages in place, 90 seconds into track
View attachment 148928
(Above) Only 2 FRONT Holostages in place, 60 seconds into track
View attachment 148929
(Above) Only 2 FRONT Holostages in place, 90 seconds into track
View attachment 148930
(Above) All Holostages Removed, 60 seconds into track
View attachment 148931
(Above) All Holostages Removed, 90 seconds into track
View attachment 148932
(Above) All Holostages - FRONT and REAR - back in position, 60 seconds into track
View attachment 148933
(Above) All Holostages - FRONT and REAR - back in position, 90 seconds into track

I'm not going to try to interpret anything here, but what stands out to me is that the SPL is notably higher across the range in all four instances during which the Holostages were in place compared with the plots during which they were removed. I "bookended" the tests with the Holostages removed with the two tests with them in place. My amp (Modwright KWH 225i integrated with triode front end and solid state output section) had been warmed up for more than 30 minutes and both the server and DAC had been on overnight.
Hmm.

PS: Here's the room, showing the Holostages (near the ceiling, top left and right) on 3M Command Ledges (4"x 3.5" each).
View attachment 148934
There are also two behind the listening position; one high and center above the rear wall window, and one about five feet above the floor, 2/3 of the way along the right-hand wall.

Sounds a bit discouraging, I am sure you will sort it out.

 

[Zuman]

Sounds a bit discouraging, I am sure you will sort it out.

In case I wasn't being clear (which I hear from my family all the time, especially when I get long-winded, like in my post above...), there is both an audible and a <GASP!> measurable difference when the Holostages are in my system. What I don't understand is how that can be!

<<UPDATE April 17, 2025: I repeated the same process today and did NOT get the same kind of differentiation between pink noise level readings with and without the Holostages in place. The results were closer to each other. AC power differences during the first test? Tube performance variances?>>

 

[Tuffy7]

I have found that many times you can hear SOME of the changes in the sound quality after inserting the holostages into the system. However, I really think it takes several days for the full effect to settle in. I have 16 in my home system. I really like the last tip shared here by others of putting a pair 5 feet high on the wall behind and outside the speakers. That really added to the solidness and completeness of the soundstage. This was after already having 14 others in. I have some more in my car and more under 2 tvs in the home. I would say 2 to 4 days should give you a good idea of what they can really do.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I have found that many times you can hear SOME of the changes in the sound quality after inserting the holostages into the system. However, I really think it takes several days for the full effect to settle in. I have 16 in my home system. I really like the last tip shared here by others of putting a pair 5 feet high on the wall behind and outside the speakers. That really added to the solidness and completeness of the soundstage. This was after already having 14 others in. I have some more in my car and more under 2 tvs in the home. I would say 2 to 4 days should give you a good idea of what they can really do.

16 that’s nuts! Well I will try my 4 in my small listening room for now.

 

[christoph]

I have found that many times you can hear SOME of the changes in the sound quality after inserting the holostages into the system. However, I really think it takes several days for the full effect to settle in. I have 16 in my home system. I really like the last tip shared here by others of putting a pair 5 feet high on the wall behind and outside the speakers. That really added to the solidness and completeness of the soundstage. This was after already having 14 others in. I have some more in my car and more under 2 tvs in the home. I would say 2 to 4 days should give you a good idea of what they can really do.

That is interesting.
We heard absolutely immediate changes when bringing in the Holos into the room.

 

[MacF]

That is interesting.
We heard absolutely immediate changes when bringing in the Holos into the room.

Likewise, unmistakably immediate & pleasant changes. I have several sets in different locations, however, 1 set of 4 in a small room will provide ample evidence that you are indeed on to something very special.

 

[Tuffy7]

Christoph

It looks like I forgot to clarify better in my first sentence. I meant to say that even though sometimes you do hear changes pretty quick, I always give things at least 15 or 20 minutes to settle in my system before I listen again. I think most of Krissy's products take several days or longer to fully breakin. I have multiple of Krissy's units plugged into my LSA Exemplar Statement integrated amp and my Ric Schultz highly modified Oppo 205. I also have a pair of her speaker filters plugged into my Hales Transcendance 5 speakers and 2 panel pieces attached to my breaker box. Krissy is in the midst of bringong stronger versions of all of these products to the market soon. I believe she will have RCA units available soon which come in pairs soon that are DEFINITELY stronger in dividually than a Holostage unit.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Installed 4 and so far unimpressed. Will give them time…..

 

[PDXDrew]

Installed 4 and so far unimpressed. Will give them time…..

Sweet- I just won $20... I bet my wife, that you would have this response.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Sweet- I just won $20... I bet my wife, that you would have this response.

Well you better give her the $20.00 back slick errr Drew. After being in my system for a couple hours there is an improvement. Worth $1000.00 not sure but time will tell.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Moved the HS on my front wall and it is strange they sound better just under 4 feet place flat on a shelf, and 66 inches up on the back wall.
Going to leave them for a bit and see how this works.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

When I added a few magnets it was a positive improvement. Everything the Holostages were doing was the same but intensified. Then I tripled the number of my magnets,... and the whole soundstage collapsed and everything sounded bright. I left it to simmer for a few days to see if it would settle-in, but no change. My soundstage has turned completely FLAT and I feel like I'm listening to speakers again. My wife (who did not know about my magnet purchase) came in and listened and said, "it sounds more quiet and detailed than I've ever heard it, but it is also very gritanche." (screamingly harsh)

So you most certainly can add too many magnets! Drew, I would wonder if you used smaller magnets and give them some time to settle down for a few days, maybe what would that sound like in your system?

I'm also going to experiment and remove magnets now starting with the ones around the room, and leave the magnets on my devices that are sitting on and under electronics.

Magnets?? Where?

 

[PDXDrew]

Magnets?? Where?

I'm glad they seem to be settling in. I hope they continue to work for you.
I tried the magnets, as Halydean mentioned, one each on top of each H/S on the front walls, then moved them to the side two. In both instances I had the same results, in that the sounds stage collapsed, and I got too much detail, everything seemed hyper focused. My speakers are already very detailed, taking them further in that direction was not a good thing for my system. I did order more magnets of different strengths and sizes, that I plan to experiment with. Just haven't had time.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I'm glad they seem to be settling in. I hope they continue to work for you.

Thank you. Going to see how they interact with my X200 Tube IA.

 

[MacF]

Thank you. Going to see how they interact with my X200 Tube IA.

As one of the early posters, I’m also tickled but not surprised, that you are experiencing similar changes to the acoustics in your room that will hopefully soon be heard as improvements once they settle in. Holostages are powerful little buggers & fun to tinker around with. For example, I’m finding this configuration where possible is even more effective. Think I have 4 sets of HS’s in various locations, as well as one of Krissy,s USB ground boxes, a chassis ground box & a breaker panel box. My sense is they are cumulative.

 

[MacF]

As one of the early posters, I’m also tickled but not surprised, that you are experiencing similar changes to the acoustics in your room that will hopefully soon be heard as improvements once they settle in. Holostages are powerful little buggers & fun to tinker around with. For example, I’m finding this configuration where possible is even more effective. Think I have 4 sets of HS’s in various locations, as well as one of Krissy,s USB ground boxes, a chassis ground box & a breaker panel box. My sense is they are cumulative.

I have also found some additional toe-in assists in restoring focus to the center image if you happen notice it drifting due to the new found dimensions of the soundstage.

 

[Willgolf]

As one of the early posters, I’m also tickled but not surprised, that you are experiencing similar changes to the acoustics in your room that will hopefully soon be heard as improvements once they settle in. Holostages are powerful little buggers & fun to tinker around with. For example, I’m finding this configuration where possible is even more effective. Think I have 4 sets of HS’s in various locations, as well as one of Krissy,s USB ground boxes, a chassis ground box & a breaker panel box. My sense is they are cumulative.

If you were to take one of those L-shaped HS away, could you tell a difference?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

As one of the early posters, I’m also tickled but not surprised, that you are experiencing similar changes to the acoustics in your room that will hopefully soon be heard as improvements once they settle in. Holostages are powerful little buggers & fun to tinker around with. For example, I’m finding this configuration where possible is even more effective. Think I have 4 sets of HS’s in various locations, as well as one of Krissy,s USB ground boxes, a chassis ground box & a breaker panel box. My sense is they are cumulative.

Enjoying the 4 in my standard configuration. Very small space so I really do not know how beneficial additional units would be. Next tweet will be the LessLoss Firewall for speakers. https://www.lessloss.com/firewall-module-p-216.html#a_55-655

 

[MacF]

Enjoying the 4 in my standard configuration. Very small space so I really do not know how beneficial additional units would be. Next tweet will be the LessLoss Firewall for speakers. https://www.lessloss.com/firewall-module-p-216.html#a_55-655

Looking forward to the LL review. My gear is LessLoss centric. Suits my tastes perfectly. I'm fortunate be running 2 pairs of Stellar Firewalls per speaker. Very natural. The Stellars are every bit an anchor in my system as the LL Power Base. By the way, I haven't experimented lately with removing any holostages from the room. Sounds so good, I don't want to lose it!

 

[Sc00ter]

Thanks. Doesn't wholly work if one side is open.

Good point. The way my room’s set up (I may have a picture of my system posted here), it’s on the left half of a 30’ wide room, so I really only have a front corner on the left side… the right wall’s 14-15 feet away. I was thinking of attaching the right-hand ones to the front and back walls at about the same distance away from the system as the ones in the left-hand ones, and hoping for the best. That seems to be working okay for Zuman ;-)