Cupping hands behind ears while listening - WOW!

[unmutual]

I've been spending a lot of time recently trying to optimize my stereo setup. REW measurements, speaker placement and toe-in degrees, 1 or 2 subwoofers, room treatment products, equalization...

But, the most revealing change (and improvement) was when I cupped my hands behind my ears while listening. Suddenly, there was so much more clarity and detail across the spectrum! It was really a veil lifting experience!

Some of you will probably think that this is a joke post, but I am absolutely serious.

What is the physical explanation behind this? Is it a kind of "treble boost" or is it more about removing sound reflections and getting more of the direct sound of the speaker?

 

[kiwifi]

What is the physical explanation behind this? Is it a kind of "treble boost" or is it more about removing sound reflections and getting more of the direct sound of the speaker?

You are getting more direct sound. The fact that it sounds better, should encourage you to look at treating the room, especially first reflection points.

 

[somebodyelse]

It's not just more direct sound and being a bit louder - it also changes the acoustic filtering effect due to the shape of the head and ear (HRTF). If you had some little in-ear microphones you could measure the change.

 

[Sokel]

Try the opposite.

 

[Apesbrain]

 

[terryforsythe]

HOME

Earglasses® Sound Magnifiers: Hear More for Le$$

www.earglasses.com

 

[Vincent Kars]

 

[RayDunzl]

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7389655643373718817

 

[WeekendWarrior]

I've been spending a lot of time recently trying to optimize my stereo setup. REW measurements, speaker placement and toe-in degrees, 1 or 2 subwoofers, room treatment products, equalization...

But, the most revealing change (and improvement) was when I cupped my hands behind my ears while listening. Suddenly, there was so much more clarity and detail across the spectrum! It was really a veil lifting experience!

Some of you will probably think that this is a joke post, but I am absolutely serious.

What is the physical explanation behind this? Is it a kind of "treble boost" or is it more about removing sound reflections and getting more of the direct sound of the speaker?

Just tried it, and WOW indeed. If I can find a pair of those Earglasses they'll be straight in my basket for purchasing, but only for when I'm listening on my own!

 

[kyuu]

These guys know what's up:

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Having impaired hearing makes me very familiar with cupped hands. Actually I saw adults doing it when I was a kid. The simplistic explanation is that you're capturing more sound. You're directing air into your ear. I'm sure the scientific acoustics explanation is more precise and probably proves me wrong in detail.

 

[Sgt. Ear Ache]

Doing the ear-cup thing was one very simple little exercise that really exemplified to me just how much of an impact the room can have on sound in general. Given how much cupping your ear changes the sound, just imagine the impact something like a wall is going to have if you're sitting close to it.

 

[Zek]

 

[xanalog]

The actual (physical) 'cupping one ear' - to mean you did not hear someone - has been a social norm... for, I don't know how, long.
Similar to saying "Huh?"

Note to Self: Needs more research!

 

[Laika2]

I have done this. I am just wondering if cupping tells us anything of value beyond what it does acoustically anywhere any time. By focusing on the front is there anything of value that should be changed. I can see someone liking the effect and meeting it half way by bumping the front stage a few dbs or reducing the rears a few dbs. (Though that should greatly reduce the rears in surround sound but hey, if you like it better good for you.)
Fun exercise either way but will cupping lead to the discovery of flaws. I would REW and Dirac it again after word but am I gaining any knowledge here than cupping accents sounds in front of you.

 

[egellings]

These guys know what's up:

View attachment 452686

In spite of those pinnae, the nose still rules.

 

[sfogg]

If you really want to break your brain, and are listening to stereo, try holding a mattress upright in front of your face pointing forward. It will increase the channel separation at your ears and that will change your imaging pretty dramatically.

Carver's Sonic Holography, Lexicon's Panorama and a number or speaker manufacturers did something similar with interaural crosstalk cancelation techniques. They can be very effective too if set up properly.

 

[xanalog]

If you really want to break your brain, and are listening to stereo, try holding a mattress upright in front of your face pointing forward.

Could you imagine the mind blowing experience your mate would have seeing you, standing in your skivvies, behind an upright mattress with the stereo blaring?
Oy!

You could also play sound-stage tricks on yourself, by simply pushing one ear forward with an index finger.

 

[mhardy6647]

I've been spending a lot of time recently trying to optimize my stereo setup. REW measurements, speaker placement and toe-in degrees, 1 or 2 subwoofers, room treatment products, equalization...

But, the most revealing change (and improvement) was when I cupped my hands behind my ears while listening. Suddenly, there was so much more clarity and detail across the spectrum! It was really a veil lifting experience!

Some of you will probably think that this is a joke post, but I am absolutely serious.

What is the physical explanation behind this? Is it a kind of "treble boost" or is it more about removing sound reflections and getting more of the direct sound of the speaker?

Time for a hearing test!
(and I am not being facetious)

 

[mhardy6647]

Could you imagine the mind blowing experience your mate would have seeing you, standing in your skivvies, behind an upright mattress with the stereo blaring?
Oy!

I believe the director's cut of Risky Business starts with just such a scene.