View Full Version : Dehumidifier Magic!
Over the last week I have been dehumidifying my house especially the downstairs rooms and have been pouring away litres and litres of water. The machine I have is particularly good with a digital readout of the humidity level reached and it purifies the air at the same time.
I have been using the machine as I have an old house which although not damp does get a bit more condensation build up than a modern house.
The unexpected side effect I have found bringing down the humidity has been the uplift in sound quality from my system. It is not subtle and has left me speechless and mystified. Maybe my system had small levels of moisture in it especially the speakers, maybe the drier atmosphere has made a difference but all I can say the difference is remarkable. The level of clarity across the board is literally like remove earplugs or taking a blanket off the speakers!!:eek:
As with all things hifi you just don't know what things can always affect it and as always "everything matters" but reducing humidity was not one I expected to make a difference.
The dehumidifier cost £80 delivered and has given my system an unexpected boost in SQ which would probably have costed way more if I had spent it on another cartridge, cable or piece of equipment so it has been an amazing good value upgrade if not an unusual one in the world of hifi.
Oddly I have opposite issue and have 2 humidifiers.. Lol
There must be an optimum humidity then Grant. Your house is too warm and dry and mine is too warm and humid.
I think 55% humidity is the recommended level.
hifinutt
10-08-2019, 18:39
Well at first I thought how crazy this suggestion is but reading some of the science behind humidity and sound transmission it does seem possible
Audio Al
10-08-2019, 18:46
Oddly I have opposite issue and have 2 humidifiers.. Lol
stereo ?
Well at first I thought how crazy this suggestion is but reading some of the science behind humidity and sound transmission it does seem possible
Might optimise the cartridge suspension which is also dependent on temperature.
It would have been interesting to know the level of relative humidity in your house before you employed a dehumidifier, and what it is now. In the UK, the RH is typically about 60%, and the speed of sound increases very slightly with increasing humidity.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cornelis_Van_der_Geld/publication/51873087/figure/fig1/AS:214156205662208@1428070226228/Speed-of-sound-vs-temperature-and-relative-humidity-according-to-2-p-1013-kPa-314.png
https://weather-and-climate.com/uploads/average-relative-humidity-united-kingdom-london.png
It would have been interesting to know the level of relative humidity in your house before you employed a dehumidifier, and what it is now. In the UK, the RH is typically about 60%, and the speed of sound increases very slightly with increasing humidity.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cornelis_Van_der_Geld/publication/51873087/figure/fig1/AS:214156205662208@1428070226228/Speed-of-sound-vs-temperature-and-relative-humidity-according-to-2-p-1013-kPa-314.png
https://weather-and-climate.com/uploads/average-relative-humidity-united-kingdom-london.png
My two rooms downstairs were above 70% humidity before I started reducing it!:eek:
I have got the humidity down to below 60%, aiming for 55% which is the recommended humidity for comfortable environment.
brian2957
10-08-2019, 21:56
Got a link to the unit please James .
Got a link to the unit please James .
Here you go mate. Mine came the next day!
https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/cd12p/electriq-cd12p
Interesting. I have a humidity meter in my room and it is usually between 55 and 65 percent. Currently showing 62% but it is a very damp day. Maybe I should get one of these gadgets? House is 118 years old, don't know how old yours is James?
Interesting. I have a humidity meter in my room and it is usually between 55 and 65 percent. Currently showing 62% but it is a very damp day. Maybe I should get one of these gadgets? House is 118 years old, don't know how old yours is James?
Hi Martin, my house was built on 1866 so fairly old. I never thought it was particularly damp but sometimes I saw condensation on the walls. It also felt a bit cool. The transformation is very noticeable even after 3 days running the dehumidifier. It feels a different atmosphere, dry and much more pleasant. The model I have in the link to Brian also has an air purifier function which also helps. You can set the humidity level you want it to go down too and it switches off automatically when water tank is full.
in summer the air is warm so can hold much more water, hence high values. its in mid 60's here at moment and wet outside. Cold air cant hold much moisture so winter is usually much lower. also your central heating is on and dries it even more. Plants scattered around house is a good way to control moisture, along with the dehumidifier. 45/50 is probably your ideal, but unlikely to get it in peak summer months.
My breathing suffers badly if it gets too high or too low; especially low. you also get lots of static when in low 30s of winter.(I have to touch earth with my stick before touching anything)
As to your point with audio, there will be changes at certain frequences at different humidity levels, and SoS is also affected. Water vapour is lighter than air so when moist its less dense and thus SoS is faster.
Hi Martin, my house was built on 1866 so fairly old. I never thought it was particularly damp but sometimes I saw condensation on the walls. It also felt a bit cool. The transformation is very noticeable even after 3 days running the dehumidifier. It feels a different atmosphere, dry and much more pleasant. The model I have in the link to Brian also has an air purifier function which also helps. You can set the humidity level you want it to go down too and it switches off automatically when water tank is full.
I'm sold, will order one on Monday. I dry clothes indoors so will help with that even if nothing else. If you had condensation on the walls it sounds like you definitely needed one.
I'll report back on any SQ differences.
brian2957
11-08-2019, 12:36
Thanks mate , think I'll treat myself to one of these too :)
walpurgis
11-08-2019, 12:52
If you play records, you may find a dry atmosphere encourages static. Not necessarily a good thing.
I agree too low humidity does encourage static. However my static has reduced considerably the closer I get too 60% humidity. I was over 65%.
There must be an optimum level for humidity as there is for room temperature which is about 21oC. Cartridge suspension material is calibrated at this temperature.
Static only bothers me here when i get around 40 and lower. I try to keep it about 45 in winter. Today its rained all day but temp in house is about normal 22/23c and humidity around 58/65 depending on which metre i believe. breathing today at that level is good and sounds from stereo are fine.
not sure if you will distiguish much change with 5 or 10% change but you might
in summer the air is warm so can hold much more water, hence high values. its in mid 60's here at moment and wet outside. Cold air cant hold much moisture so winter is usually much lower. also your central heating is on and dries it even more. Plants scattered around house is a good way to control moisture, along with the dehumidifier. 45/50 is probably your ideal, but unlikely to get it in peak summer months.
My breathing suffers badly if it gets too high or too low; especially low. you also get lots of static when in low 30s of winter.(I have to touch earth with my stick before touching anything)
As to your point with audio, there will be changes at certain frequences at different humidity levels, and SoS is also affected. Water vapour is lighter than air so when moist its less dense and thus SoS is faster.
True, but the change is much smaller than you would think:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cornelis_Van_der_Geld/publication/51873087/figure/fig1/AS:214156205662208@1428070226228/Speed-of-sound-vs-temperature-and-relative-humidity-according-to-2-p-1013-kPa-314.png
At 20 degC the change is negligable. Even with a change of humidity from 0% to 100% the speed of sound at 20 degC shanges from 343.5m/s to 344.8m/s, a change of less than 0.4%.
https://i.stack.imgur.com/EXr7T.gif
I would put the perceived improvements in SQ down to the atmosphere being more comfortable for the listener, and so the experience is more enjoyable.
yup, i doubt you would notice it much. i know they do adjust outside concerts to temp and humidity etc, but they are big areas
Very warm humid air does affect speaker performance and timing so maybe there is an optimum humidity for sound waves in the atmosphere?
I would have though humidity would affect the compliance of the speaker cone suspension (and depending on the material used, the cone itself) to a greater degree than the affect it has on the air.
I would have though humidity would affect the compliance of the speaker cone suspension (and depending on the material used, the cone itself) to a greater degree than the affect it has on the air.
I expect you are right Barry.
Well whatever the 'explanation', the fact that you are benefitting from reducing the humidity in your house is good enough for me. :)
My house was built in the '60s, and I have to say I don't suffer problems with the air inside being too dry (I don't get problems with static), or too humid - weather permitting.
walpurgis
11-08-2019, 15:18
I have actually had a small but effective dehumidifier in my listening room for many years. I used it when I first got it, but found no benefit.
What I really would like is an air filtering unit of some sort. The dust I get is a real problem.
I have actually had a small but effective dehumidifier in my listening room for many years. I used it when I first got it, but found no benefit.
What I really would like is an air filtering unit of some sort. The dust I get is a real problem.
Geoff, the dehumidifier I have does work as an air purifier as well. You can use a number of filters with it including HEPA and you can use it in that mode only without dehumidifier.
dave2010
11-08-2019, 21:52
Odd that this thread should pop up now. We have a seriously good dehumidifier, but recently it's been next to impossible to reduce the RH below 60%. The external humidity is higher than that, and has been for weeks. Earlier in the year we could get it down to below 50% insider the house - probably was relatively drier outside then.
A year ago I didn't know about this sort of thing, but I bought a whole bunch of really cheap humidity monitors (typically around £2 each ) and now have them all round the place to keep an eye on how things are going. 70% - which has been mentioned is indeed really high, and it should be possible to get that down to around 60% unless the weather turns really awful.
Opti-cal
12-08-2019, 10:52
This is 100% scientifically feasible. (So potential to be accepted by all camps!.....)
I remember reading somewhere about the relationship between air molecules (and their varying concentration/volume of H2O) and sound. I think I was actually reading about the sound barrier at the time so it was probably to do with Typhoon's and F14's but the principal applies.
Looking forward to everyone's findings.
I applaud everyone's enthusiasm regarding this kind of tweak. In many places it might have been dismissed.
Maybe the effect could be likened to using different types of cloth on speaker grills, thicker lets less sound through, thinner the opposite. Maybe.
If the suspension in a cartridge and the rubber surround and suspension on speaker cones can be affected by temperature, then maybe they can also be affected by humidity?
I was thinking that in a damper atmosphere air will have more resistance so drive units will not move as quickly?
I was thinking that in a damper atmosphere air will have more resistance so drive units will not move as quickly?
I am sure speaker companies have done work to evaluate this?
You'd think so but it is really hard to find any info/data on line.
Dry air is denser than moist air, though again the effect is very small:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/docs/documents/680/moist_air_density_temperature_relative_humidity.pn g
Any information on how sound waves are affected by air density?
I know its not scientific but I can feel the difference dry air has compared to moist humid air. So if I can actually feel a difference then it must have a difference on soundwaves and therefore timing etc...
Speaker manufactures do go to great lengths to engineer their speakers in order that the drive units reproduce music that is time aligned. I think Wilson audio has done a lot of work here.
Just out of interest I googles affect of humidity on sound waves and there are hundreds of articles stating that it does with drier air absorbing soundwaves more than humid air which i though would have been the reverse but when you are talking about particles science then the molecules that make up air are complex and all have different densities etc.
Here is just one interesting article.
https://www.soundproofcow.com/impact-humidity-temperature-room-acoustics/
Well I've ordered a de-humidifier/air purifier and one of the fancy digital temperature/humidity monitor things as well. See how it goes.
Any information on how sound waves are affected by air density?
I know its not scientific but I can feel the difference dry air has compared to moist humid air. So if I can actually feel a difference then it must have a difference on soundwaves and therefore timing etc...
Speaker manufactures do go to great lengths to engineer their speakers in order that the drive units reproduce music that is time aligned. I think Wilson audio has done a lot of work here.
The speed of sound in a material varies inversly as the square root of the material density. The density of air in turn depends on both the temperature and the relative humidity of the air, but the dependence is small as shown in the figures I have cited in previous posts.
I still maintain that the improvement you perceive in SQ is down to you feeling more comfortable, rather than to any changes in the acoustic propagation of the air.
dave2010
12-08-2019, 17:59
If you want a seriously good dehumidifer try the Meaco ones.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meaco-20L-Energy-Dehumidifier-Condensation/dp/B00HO963A6/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=80814136762856&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvqmt=e&keywords=dehumidifier+meaco&qid=1565632420&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Pricey though, but great for drying clothes if there's no other way. OTOH a clothes line in a very windy spot is also good for clothes, providing it doesn't rain and the birds keep away.
We also have a much smaller and cheaper Peltier effect unit which is next to useless. It might just freshen rooms up a little bit, but very hard to be sure - like some tweaks to hi-fi!
dave2010
12-08-2019, 18:06
For measuring RH try these https://www.amazon.co.uk/INRIGOROUS-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Temperature-Incubator/dp/B07RKSGVG7/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Humidity&qid=1565632866&rnid=1642204031&s=garden&sr=1-4
I mentioned before that typically these are under £2 each - they keep popping up in batches of 1 or 3 in different guises and perhaps from different suppliers, and maybe with different pricing and P&P. If you don't mind waiting the P&P is usually nil.
Thery're not gold plated, and some may give dodgy readings, but they're probably good enough for most domestic purposes.
AJSki2fly
12-08-2019, 18:44
I have just told my wife what some of you are doing, buying de-humidifiers to lower the humidity to improve your listening experience.
I should have known better her response was and I quote "Oh for goodness sake, what a bunch of sadoe's, open a window!", followed by "Take an interval break, have an ice cream, it would improve karma and listening experience."
She is still going on about it :doh::eek:
I told the women at work and they looked at me in total disbelief! :lol:
Pigmy Pony
12-08-2019, 20:17
I have just told my wife what some of you are doing, buying de-humidifiers to lower the humidity to improve your listening experience.
I should have known better her response was and I quote "Oh for goodness sake, what a bunch of sadoe's, open a window!", followed by "Take an interval break, have an ice cream, it would improve karma and listening experience."
She is still going on about it :doh::eek:
You should have told her that some women at work were discussing how lowering the humidity is beneficial to hair, and those using a dehumidifier at home suffered fewer "bad hair days". Then she would be all over the idea :)
Expensive leather goods like shoes and handbags also benefit from lower humidity (that's why shoes often come with those little desiccant sachets). That one should seal the deal.
Colloms, in High Performance Loudspeakers, stipulates an agreed standard for temp and humidity.
Classical guitars benefit from humid conditions.
dave2010
13-08-2019, 07:34
The graphs in msgs 7 and 8 are interesting/useful. if the outside humidity is high there's really not a lot of point in trying to get it a lot lower inside. It is interesting to keep an eye on the RH using a collection of small hygrometers. I think ideally RH inside in the UK should be 50% or maybe slightly lower, but this is difficult to achieve if the outside RH is 70% or more.
If a house has experienced flooding, or has condensation problems it is worth dehumidifying to minimise possible problems - structural, health etc. Dehumidifiers can also be used for drying washing, but that may not be the preferred way of doing that.
Personally I'd recommend doing comprehensive measurements before rushing to buy a dehumidifier, though if you want one and have a real need then buy a good one. Our big one - compressor model - is efficient, doesn't cost too much to run, and can extract litres of water quite quickly. The smaller one - a Peltier effect device - may extract a few tea spoonfuls of water if run for a very extended period of time. Hardly worth the bother, thought it is small and I got it for about £20 IIRC. The other technology which is used is based on dessicators. I have no experience of them, though I think compressor models are most probably better if you want/need one.
hifinutt
13-08-2019, 18:38
Being a saddo i was pondering this today , walking around a very large lake in the rain , i could still hear the reversing lights of a rubbish lorry a several miles away . Nothing wrong with sound transmission there !!
julesd68
14-08-2019, 10:33
Since using a dehumidifier I have noticed a much drier sound in my system - can anyone explain this? :)
The electriQ units are excellent, I found them quieter and more efficient than the Meaco I had. Both those units didn't last more than a couple of years though, so got a cheap extended guarantee for the new electriQ on the basis I will be getting a free replacement at some point ...
Since using a dehumidifier I have noticed a much drier sound in my system - can anyone explain this? :)
The electriQ units are excellent, I found them quieter and more efficient than the Meaco I had. Both those units didn't last more than a couple of years though, so got a cheap extended guarantee for the new electriQ on the basis I will be getting a free replacement at some point ...
Nice little unit the electricQ, very happy with mine.
My de-humidifier has arrived. Not the same as Jim's but very similar, also works as an air purifier. The fancy humidity monitor arrived earlier in the week, it shows time, temp and humidity. Currently running at 21.3 degrees and 64 percent. Will get the machine running in a bit and see what sort of impact it makes.
My de-humidifier has arrived. Not the same as Jim's but very similar, also works as an air purifier. The fancy humidity monitor arrived earlier in the week, it shows time, temp and humidity. Currently running at 21.3 degrees and 64 percent. Will get the machine running in a bit and see what sort of impact it makes.
You will be doing well if you get humidity down to 60%. Don't forget to close all windows and doors!
My windows are hardly ever open anyway! Even in summer. The noise from the street irritates me. As soon as I open a window some fucker in a diesel will pull up outside and sit there for half an hour with his engine running.
Anyway I'm aiming for the golden 55% humidity, see if it can be done.
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2019, 06:23
I wonder if a dehumidifier would speed up the drying of my undercrackers on the clothes maiden?
In your position Martin I would seriously consider the effects of that environment on my health.
In '86 I, as a result of a split-up had to move to a studio flat on the Borough High St., and the pollution there was very bad, but I had previously rebuilt an ioniser and I put it into service.
I also had lent it to my Mother who lived in Beckenham, and who smoked a lot, and when I went to see her I could see what looked like marmite running down her walls, such was its effectiveness.
When I finally left the Borough in '94, when I moved the furniture the walls were black with exhaust and wheel disc wear, and I recommend anyone in such to get one; a small investment for a major gain in health IMO.
MikeMusic
19-08-2019, 10:18
In your position Martin I would seriously consider the effects of that environment on my health.
In '86 I, as a result of a split-up had to move to a studio flat on the Borough High St., and the pollution there was very bad, but I had previously rebuilt an ioniser and I put it into service.
I also had lent it to my Mother who lived in Beckenham, and who smoked a lot, and when I went to see her I could see what looked like marmite running down her walls, such was its effectiveness.
When I finally left the Borough in '94, when I moved the furniture the walls were black with exhaust and wheel disc wear, and I recommend anyone in such to get one; a small investment for a major gain in health IMO.
Ioniser seconded.
Mine is an air blown jobbie so the filter is cleaned every so often.
Stunning the amount of muck I clean out of it
My humidifier has an ionizer. I've not fou d any muck so far but I don't smoke so maybe the reason
I already have an ionizer but thanks for the suggestion.
Pollution is not really a problem although the air quality round here is not great. It's more the noise that makes me keep the windows shut.
icehockeyboy
28-08-2019, 17:17
Stop Press!
Hifi stores inundated with requests for dehumidifiers! ��
Okay dehumidifier update.
With it running for about an hour I can get humidity down to 53%. I have 3 humidity meters, one built into the unit, a stand-alone digital temp and humidity monitor and an old fangled analogue job and they all read the same. After an hour there was about an egg-cups worth of water in the tank.
With no dehumidifier running the humidity varies from 55% to 65%. This appears to be entirely dependant on the weather. This morning humidity is 57% without the unit running. Conclusion: I don't have a humidity problem in my house. Although the unit I bought also acts as an air purifier so there is some use to it. I have not found there to be any connection between the humidity and sound quality, possibly because I cannot get the humidity high enough to hear any deleterious effects.
humidity is 51 here.. not had my humidifier on of late as its been humid enough. but with winter onsetting they will be on a lot more
51 is very low.
was 65 a few weeks ago.. yup heating is kicing in now as temps drop, so air gets drier. i have to add water, where you take it away.
50 is bang on tbh... lower than 40 and static becomes an issue
I've no central heating and my house much older than yours. Don't think I could ever get it down to 40!
40, your not far off the sahara!:lol:
lol that's what I thought.
goes down to 30 here sometimes in winter with heating on... air is so dry it burns yir nose lining. But its a lot colder here in general so heating can be on all the time. was much better with the coal fire which i miss
dave2010
07-09-2019, 14:20
humidity is 51 here.. not had my humidifier on of late as its been humid enough. but with winter onsetting they will be on a lot more51 is OK. One of my meters is showing that today. In the bathrooms currently the meters are 60+, but that's to be expected if people will have showers. For preference I'd like to see values between 45 and 55 - ideally at the low end, but with British weather that's not always possible. If the weather forecast is showing high humidity, then it's a real struggle to get it significantly lower indoors. Look at the BBC Weather app and check the humidity at different times of day.
For example, currently
London - 16:00 48%, 18:00 50%, 20:00 57%, 22:00 63%
Glasgow - 16:00 51%, 18:00 57%, 20:00 68%, 22:00 79%
I used to live in Fresno (CA). Currently showing -
10:00 42%, 12:00 34%, 14:00 27%, 16:00 22%
Nice and warm there - and the low humidity was great. Coming back to the UK was a horrible shock - though it took a while to get used to the very high temperatures there in the summer.
"Coming back to the UK was a horrible shock "
I bet the humidity was not the only shock.
Dehumidified house today and managed to get to 55% humidity. Turned the system on and again it sounds exceptionally good tonight. No static whatsoever from my vinyl. Clarity and soundstage definitely up a notch, at least to a point where it is noticeably better so something beneficial is going on.:).
Sherwood
09-09-2019, 21:14
I am somewhat perplexed by this thread and my own experience runs contrary to that of many of the posts here. My reason for this is that I spent the period 1998 to 2005 living first in Namibia, and then in Bangladesh. For those unfamiliar with these countries, they represent polar extremes in terms of humidity. There are some parts of Namibia where no rain falls at all for many years. Even though the temperature may get into the 40's during the day, no matter how much energy one expends, one never gets sweaty because the moisture evaporates immediately. In fact, the absence of moisture content and the lack of cloud cover at night means that it often drops below freezing after a day of intense heat. In contrast, Bangladesh is extremely humid, especially during the monsoon season. I still recall my mornings when after a shower I would put on a fresh cotton shirt and cotton chinos, and be absolutely drenched with perspiration in the time it took me to get from my air conditioned home to my air conditioned car.
I mention this because I used the same hifi system in both countries and never really noticed any significant difference in performance between the two locations, and I listened to a lot of music in that time. My listening room in both settings was very large with tiled floors and high ceilings, although the Bangladesh lounge was squarer in layout. There were some factors that did affect the sound, most obviously variations in mains quality. At some times the drop in voltage was so great that the television picture would shrink and light bulbs would dim noticeably. What I did find to influence the sound was the operation of several air ionisers around the house. The effect of these was visible as well as audible since after a few days one would have to clear up a pile of "dust" in front of the ioniser units. These particles were particularly worrying in Bangladesh as they were mainly exhaust particles from pollution whereas in Namibia they were just desert dust!
I accept that in Bangladesh, the air-conditioning will have reduced the humidity a little, but the levels were still much greater than one would experience at any time in the UK. In Namibia, my house did not have air-conditioning in the lounge, only in the bedrooms.
Whilst forum members may detect a difference in perceived sound, I suspect that this may be related to feeling more comfortable in a location with less humidity when the temperature is high. I also suspect that my ioniser had a similar effect as it is known that negative ions can create a sense of well being. Candles and waterfalls are both ion generators, and that might explain why we feel good around them. The benefits of negative ions are usefully summarised here https://negativeionizers.net/negative-ions-benefits/ .
I would be interested if the same effects were reported when the dehumidifier were used in winter. I suspect not, not least because so many homes lack natural ventilation and central heating systems dry out the air normally. In fact, I often find myself increasing humidity in winter by putting a wet tea towel on the radiator, even though I keep windows open to let fresh (moister) air into the house.
Of course, these are my personal experiences, but they are based upon extreme humidity environments.
Your observations of fluctuating mains voltage was one of the first areas I noticed years back that affected the sound of my system. I found that after 9.00PM onwards the noise floor dropped at a result of variations in the mains quality but I did not actually know this was a fact and had been known about until I started mentioning it on forums and asking friends if they had experienced the same phenomenon. I just attributed it to less traffic at night and the fact that my system had warmed up for 3 hours or so. Now I know that noise on the mains can be greatly reduced at night as the general neighbourhood starts switching off devices and less power is consumed on the grid resulting in better mains quality thus reducing noise floor in my system.
My experience with humidity is not as pronounced and obvious but on occasions when I have used my dehumidifier and got the humidity to below 60% I have noticed that it affects the sound of my system. Now I must also say I have noticed it sounds better in the winter rather than the summer and has done for years but I have not mentioned this. Humidity is often a fair bit lower in the winter than the summer especially when you consider our wet warm summer and that water moisture is held at a greater percentage in moist warm air rather than in cold dry air.
Using the dehumidifier has probably allowed me to obtain the same humidity in my listening room in the summer as I would have probably have had in the winter and as I have stated my system definitely sounds better as a consequence. It may well be down to the comfort factor but I am not so sure?:)
Too many variables to do anything other than speculate. Having neighbours either side precludes any serious late night listening so I can't really test that although I've always thought that it is the lower background noise late on that has a positive effect, not anything to do with mains pollution which would manifest itself in more obvious ways if it was a problem.
I also run an ionizer, it does freshen up the air a bit. It sits on a sheet if aluminium foil that draws the dust down to it.
Sherwood
10-09-2019, 08:29
Too many variables to do anything other than speculate. Having neighbours either side precludes any serious late night listening so I can't really test that although I've always thought that it is the lower background noise late on that has a positive effect, not anything to do with mains pollution which would manifest itself in more obvious ways if it was a problem.
I also run an ionizer, it does freshen up the air a bit. It sits on a sheet if aluminium foil that draws the dust down to it.
I am fortunate enough to live in a new (6 year old) detached house in a semi-rural area on the edge of Sherwood Forest (or what's left of it). That means I have no neighbourly restrictions on late night listening. I am also very close to an electricity substation so that the quality of mains supply is very good, typically a constant 247v or very close to it. My main system is in a converted double bedroom at the back of the house so that there is very little ambient noise during the day although even then it is noticeably quieter at night time. Since the local mines closed down there is no industry of any kind locally, so there is very little in the way of mains borne industrial pollution. In spite of that I still use a good mains filter block to keep out any domestic type noise. Despite all these factors the system still sounds noticeably better at night than it does during the day. I am guessing, and it is no more than a guess, that the improvement is partly due to the lower ambient noise, but mainly due to the higher quality of the mains at night. I would guess that once my neighbours have settled down for the evening and finished using their electric hobs, washing machines and dishwashers, that the "noise" on the local power supply reduces significantly.
Of course, I cannot rule out "psycho-acoustic" effects on the perceived improvements in night time sound quality. For example, the soothing effects of green ambient led lighting, or the chemical effects of a nice glass of Rioja (or two).
anthonyTD
10-09-2019, 11:31
I find Saturday has now become a good listening day for me in my area, my distribution transformer is around 50 to 100yds away from my listening room, so pretty close.
I have used De-humidifiers here for a few years now, as like many others on AOS i live in an old house, and at certain times of the year ther moisture in the air is much higher, especialy winter time when the heating has to go on.
A...
there is very little ambient noise during the day although even then it is noticeably quieter at night time.
Same here, even on a weekday afternoon I can sit in pretty much absolute silence (prob about 35db in reality) when there is no TV or music on, but it does get even quieter after about 2100 hrs onwards even though you wouldn't think there was any room for improvement.
Also I just had a new double glazed front door fitted that has made a significant difference in reducing the level of background noise. It is one of those things that you don't think can get any better until it does. Hence the difficulty in evaluating it.
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