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*Cupping* your ears while listening

post #1 of 16
9/29/12 at 11:06am
Thread Starter 
It's an interesting thing - no matter how good a system I've listened to, it sounds better when you put your hands behind your ears to act as reflectors. I don't necessarily making contact with your ears in the traditional way when you're trying to hear something quiet but rather just moving your hands behind your ears. I often find myself going back on forth on my 2 channel systems holding my hands open, vertical, and one to two inches behind my ears. It focuses the sound stage, improves clarity, particularly on the higher frequencies like cymbals, and so on.

FWIW, I have one system based with a Yamaha RX-990, Onkyo CS5VL CDP, Technics SL-QL1, and Celestion DL-8 speakers. The other system is a Marantz PM8004 and Marantz CD6004 CDP along with NHT SuperOnes. Both rooms are pretty flat acoustically.

Anyway, I just find it an interesting thing and think someone in the accessories business should make "Big Ears" - a foam set of reflectors you'd wear like headphones that were positionable behind your ears.

Anyone know what I'm so inelegantly trying to discuss? wink.gif
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post #2 of 16
9/29/12 at 11:54am
I made pair of ear reflectors from a old hat that I bought at Disney World. I only use them when when I wear my tin foil hat. smile.gif

Go for your idea. Get a design and patent. It could your "Pet Rock". tongue.gif
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post #3 of 16
9/29/12 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
As long as I could charge at least a couple large, maybe... biggrin.gif
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post #4 of 16
10/5/12 at 2:44pm
what is interesting about this is another fact implicated by this experiment. and something people always forget.
Each persons head, ears, ear canals, sinuses etc ARE different and this is a factor on why people hear sounds different.
Another reason you have to get gear and set up your room on how YOU like it.
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post #5 of 16
10/5/12 at 2:48pm
There was this company once that invented a near field music experiance the speakers were about bookshelf size, but mounted just out from the arms of Lazy Boy chairs. ( I don't know if they are still around, saw them at a trade show once, but not again) The experiance was amazing, I am sure this near field experiance eleminated many of the acoustical properties that are happening when you are sitting back in a room getting reflections etc.

And if you are by yourself there is always high quality headphones.
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post #6 of 16
10/7/12 at 5:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSG123 View Post

It's an interesting thing - no matter how good a system I've listened to, it sounds better when you put your hands behind your ears to act as reflectors. I don't necessarily making contact with your ears in the traditional way when you're trying to hear something quiet but rather just moving your hands behind your ears. I often find myself going back on forth on my 2 channel systems holding my hands open, vertical, and one to two inches behind my ears. It focuses the sound stage, improves clarity, particularly on the higher frequencies like cymbals, and so on.

The usual effect of placing one's hands as you seem to be suggesting is an increase in the midrange and lower treble. There are other audible disturbances to your personal HRTF, as well. If you like your music with an increase in the midrange and lower treble, then its good for you. It is however a step away from natural sound.
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post #7 of 16
10/9/12 at 9:56am
I agree with Arny but... I actually enjoy a semi reflected sound with my high backed loveseat that I use for listening. The back of the loveseat reflects just the right amount of sound and it seems about the correct frequencies too that makes for an impressive soundstage. I swear it's like listening with a nice pair of headphones without the bother of headphones!
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post #8 of 16
10/11/12 at 12:45pm
It just means you need bigger ears CSG! wink.gifbiggrin.gif
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post #9 of 16
10/15/12 at 5:01pm
I think you can already buy these at Disney World smile.gif
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post #10 of 16
10/20/12 at 4:21pm
Funny I just came across this thread!..last week while listening to steely Dan. With all the lights off and no distractions ,I cupped my hands behind my ears just as you described and....wow! The soundstage and everything sounded amazing...although I don't really want to do that all the time ,it really made me think about all the money we spend on this hobby and the free tweak by doing this!
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post #11 of 16
10/20/12 at 4:26pm
Thread Starter 
I was totally serious about this topic and hoped it would generate more serious discussion. It was my stepfather that first introduced me to this phenomenon when I was a kid (I'm 62 now and my hearing is pretty good save for limits at 13-14 kHz and above).

It's a helluva tweak and someone should make $3900 Magic Ears. Or maybe $20 Magic Ears. I only wish I could figure out how to make a pair without them looking ridiculous.
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post #12 of 16
10/20/12 at 4:58pm
You can also just slouch in your seat or use a tall pillow behind your head. Change the upholstery depending on your mood or music genre.

This was similarly discussed on Audioholics in the last year. I remember jokes about "audiophile pillows".
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post #13 of 16
10/20/12 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 
No, it's different than that. More focused using your hands.
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post #14 of 16
10/21/12 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSG123 View Post

No, it's different than that. More focused using your hands.

I remember a product that would 'extend' your ears this way. it was sold a few years ago but could not find it anymore using google.They looked like plastic transparent cups about 2x to 3x the size of your ear.

Daniel.
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post #15 of 16
10/21/12 at 7:37am
Actually cupping one's hands behind their ears works best at outdoor concerts. I've been doing it for years at marching band/drum and bugle corps competitions. I remember an ad in Stereo Review several decades ago for a leather device, sort of the back half of Koss Pro 4s. Should have bought a set then because I've never seen them advertised since. I've considered trying to create a new inexpensive version to be used and sold at the above mentioned shows plus any and all outdoor concerts. They even have a name - "Impact Ears". That name is not copyrighted so go to it.
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post #16 of 16
10/23/12 at 6:59am
Don't try this while driving a car, strange looks from other drivers will not be the only problem smile.gif
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