Holy Holostages!!

It's a reality the universe plays on us once in a great while.

My good friend, who was a revered Audiophile, recently added two Holostages to his listening room, for a total of sixteen. Alas, there is such a thing as too much of a miracle; sadly, my friend could not cope with the transcendental four-dimensional bliss brought upon by the additional Holostages, this though a mere two had been added.

Were he still with us, my friend would urge me to bring a message of caution to the members of this Forum. Indeed, few of you realize how powerful Holostages really are. Please do not add any Holostages without first seeking clearance from your medical team! Think of your loved ones and don't be the next statistic. This is no joke, folks.

I had chimed in earlier in this thread but wanted to update some findings upon adding two more Holostages to my home system. It has been just over a week since introducing two more Holostages into my system. I have one on either side of my seated position about 1 foot outside of the speakers position and about 34 inches off the floor. My Hales Transcendance 5 speakers are about 8 feet apart, and my listening position is about 8 feet from the speakers drivers. The sound now is more three dimensional with guitars and many other instruments seemingly jumping out more into the foreground of the speakers and in between them. It is like being in the front row of your own personal concert. Orchestral music now has a larger scale to it with the enhanced three dimensionality and increased soundstage. The sound seems to flow better with a greater sense of continuity. I held off on inserting these last 2 Holostages into the system because Krissy said they should be a little higher up than I have them but wasn't sure what to put them on. So I just decided not to wait any longer and to put a Holostage on top of a side table with some stacked cds on one side and a box of cds on top of an Ottaman on the other side under the other Holostage.  Boy, am I glad that I finally inserted them into my system as it is quite the effect that these two Holostages have had on the enjoyment of the music. 

I also wanted to mention just how nice, accommodating and easy that Krissy is to work with. Krissy is also very knowledgeable on what her products can do for your system and an audiophile herself.  

"If an elderly but distinguished scientist says that something is possible, he is almost certainly right; but if he says that it is impossible, he is very probably wrong."

Arthur C. Clarke

I am come here to call out the doubly dumb Dilbert Dudes who wish to tear down men and women alike. Those among us who work outside the tired and worn pages of science in the natural world. Some of us with creative minds research and study newly described particles and pathways, these nearly invisible parts within our environment. 

The key for the use of these nano particles is to find the appropriate binder or carrier to add these nearly invisible particles to. Almost every use requires a different method and carrier. Those inside a dark closet with no light won't even be able to find their own meat heads or their wallet. Did they leave the store with meat in hand and unpaid for? 

To pick on someone who has lost someone they loved and cared for to their very end is a despicable action. She carried on her companion's work for years and has made her own separate discoveries and creations. 

Maybe some who spend hours thinking of and writing the negative should get out of their closets and create something new . Or at the very least try. TomD

I laughed out loud……

A good friend who is also a discerning Audiophile told me this.

He purchased 12 Holostages because he had 60 days to return them. He was positioning them around his room but he was frustrated because, although he could already tell that their effect would be transformational, the 12th Holostage was nowhere to be found and without it he he could not achieve the ultimate four-dimensional-like balance he desired.

So he decided to run to Fred Meyer to get some dinner. For those of you who live in different parts of the world, Fred Meyer is a regional supermarket chain we have around here.

Police was playing on the store speakers as usual. But this time, Sting sounded... exceptional, the best my friend had ever heard him. His voice sounded good, he said, imagine that! And the bass was amazingly deep and tight, as if the big freezers in the frozen aisle softly pulsated with enveloping bass whose inky depths were so sweet my friend forgot all about the cat food. But salmon fillets were on sale for 99 cents a pound, so he got that, and it seemed to him that was a really a good price.

The lady at the fish counter sounded like Diana Krall! My friend was enthralled by her mellifluous tones! He was in a great mood now, so he got a big flat of filet mignon for $3, figuring he would freeze it.

At the checkout he reached for his billfold, and - there was the missing Holostage! It had been in his pocket this whole time!

Back home, he positioned his last Holostage thoughtfully on top of his amp, and that old Burmester suddenly sounded like brand new Rotels, no lie! He popped one of his favorite Toni Braxton CDs in his player and sat back, enjoying every instant of perfection.

As he pointed out, why not give Holostages a try since you have 60 days to return them? Chances are you'll want to keep them though, because honestly how many $3 flats of filet mignon does it take for those little gems to pay for themselves? Exactly. And let naysayers say nay.

Whether “most” or “all” doesn’t change the intent of your post, and you yourself have not owned Holostages so what makes your opinion any more valid than other posters here - sheesh!

I never posted any comment here about holostage or those who use it..... I only observed that i was not surprised by the OP experience with holostage  because i know (i dont believe) how vibrations and resonance are detrimental ...Instead of accusing him of bullshitting i gave him credit because i know that his testimony is credible.

Some as you use negative words or sarcasms...

Once again then  you distorted my posts...

I just said that "tweaks" works in general and not in all case for sure, if by tweaks we refer to mechanical,electrical,acoustical embeddings controls. A person giving his opinion here about holostage must be respected..

As must be respected anyone speaking about "tweaks" here ...

Any sarcasm about tweaks most of the times reveal ignorance...

Some tweaks works for some , in specific conditions, for specific ears/brain, others do not in others conditions.. This dont means that there is no value for this "tweak"

It is difficult to understand ?

Instead of an argument you use the word "bullshit" in your post and you claimed to read my intention ...

As the OP, I’m happy for the many posters who have experienced these wonderful little boxes. I can understand if the changes or improvements are not to one’s liking, I get that. However, to devolve a constructive, informative conversation that began as a positive experience for numerous respected members is a shame. Why not challenge your skepticism by auditioning a set of Holostages for yourself instead of doubting others who have actually tried them and found them to be indispensable? Personally, I never comment on products I haven’t tried myself. Bravo Heartsound! You hit it out of the park with Holostages! I’m looking forward to spending more quality time with Krissy’s Ground Box Booster which compliments the performance of the Holos, as well as the Breaker Panel Box that will be arriving soon.

Oh boy

My posts was aimed at those who insult someone who only describe and communicate his own experience with a "tweaks"... One bought or one homemade... Nevermind...

There are 2 errors in your post:

First i use the word "most" people not the expression "all people" ...

Second it is evident that people who had not bought the holostage or any other "tweaks" or never experimented  in mechanical,electrical and acoustical embeddings controls are the bulshitters especially if they use the word "bullshit" or any others insults ,  then not me nor those who sincerely only communicate their own experience without accusing others to be bullshitters as you just did.

Third i never spoke against people who had experiences themselves with a product here as some did.. You distorted my post and read it how it suit you...Then you call my post bullshit...

Buy a mirror in all due respect ...

With all due respect, that is a BS assumption, and appears to be as viewed through your own particular biased lens.

Most here are well aware you have combined low cost and/or older audio gear and by "tuning and properly embedding" your system you achieved sonic results that you believe far surpass what would be achieved by the same gear in a system that has not been properly "embedded." That is your viewpoint, but don’t assume that just because somebody else is skeptical of this ($1K/set of four) item, they don’t have experience tweaking, building, purchasing, and experimenting with their own systems.

And by the way if i read your sentence :

Most here are well aware you have combined low cost and/or older audio gear and by "tuning and properly embedding" your system you achieved sonic results that you believe far surpass what would be achieved by the same gear in a system that has not been properly "embedded."

The word "believe" here was used to put doubt on my own concrete experience. I dont believe in acoustics nor in mechanical control of vibrations, i use it.

Who bullshit who here?

First: i dont doubt that holostages works because i learned by myself the effects of resonance and vibration on the acoustics perceptive experience...

Second: most of people who doubt this or most of people who attack this "tweak" as snake oil had no first hand experience in tuning their own system by their own devices mechanically, electrically and acoustically...

Read about acoustics, try simple experiments, read again, try other simple experiments... Few years after you will know why things works and how and you will not mock no more the  experience of others...

I have had 8 holostages for the last 8 months.  I have placed them on all of my components and crossovers in my system.  i have two sitting on a shelf behind me.  I have an all-Aries Cerat system, so it is hard to hear improvements in SQ.  I know Krissy and was a fan of PPT in its heyday.  In fact, I think Krissy has more knowledge and understanding of the audio effects of tweaks than even Tim had.  

To all of you naysayers, unless you have tried them don't bother commenting.  You are wasting everyone's time.  You have a 60 day trial period.  

I talked to Krissy at great length before purchasing.  Was I skeptical?  Somewhat.  But, If I can spend $20k for a power cord, I can certainly try 4 holostage.  When I first got them, I really did not hear an impact.  TBH, I was not surprised, given the quality of my total system.  I had 18 SR HFTs scattered around my room.  My wife hated them, and quite frankly, they did nothing to improve my system.  They were removed.  About the third day, I was sitting in my chair, and I looked up when I was listening.  That usually means something has changed.  In this case, the music reached another increment.  The music filled the room; the sound was bigger and more holographic with more clarity.  So for me, the Heartsound Holostage was worth the investment I made.  

I am not here to promote Heartsound.  I am here to say try them and if they do not work for you, simply return them.  

Fleschler - killer system you have there, well done! Given your knee deep in the VS and Westminster camp, have you tried the Masterbuilt Cables? As spendy as they are, they were a revaluation, and to me a worthwhile value to my ears.

I once used a Parasound JC-3 and it was a great preamp.

Carver holographic generator C9 did this a long time ago.

I suspect due to much better technology, that this can be accomplished in a smaller package. But as well?  Only a side by side would tell. 

How do you think we keep ourselves entertained?

Is this some sort of parody thread? It’s as if The Onion has come to Audiogon.

I apologize for any confusion. I have a 2ch stereo system & an A/V surround system in same room. They are independent of each other. The 2 Holos are simply sitting on top of the rear surround speakers. The top of those speakers are a convenient & effective location for them.

As for swimming vs your term "drowning" in music, swimming really is an apt description. However, if a particular piece of music sounds more natural playing in a narrower, more authoritative & slightly forward soundstage, you can experiment with different locations to achieve your goal.

For example, moving the 2 Holos from the front corners of the room to the tops of your main speakers will narrow the field while still retaining a good deal of the immersive effect.

My point is they are unobtrusive & easy to relocate depending on your desired outcome. Start with a set of 4. They are very powerful! At the moment, I have placed 1 Holo on top of both front speakers, 1 Holo on top of both rear surround speakers that are part of a separate A/V system because they surrounds were a convenient location, 1 Holo on top of each binding post on back of the front speakers. 1 Holo ear level in the middle of both side walls. You can literally tune your room with Holostages.

Rich, dense, saturated, resolving imagery!

Finally, you owe it to yourself to give these little black boxes a try.

@jmfinney OP I am confused about a couple of things:

1. You advocate use of these for 2 ch but in your original post you talk about using 1 each on your "rear surround speakers"--sounds like you're listening in surround sound as @jolywins asked. That would certainly give a sense of more immersive.

2. I'm also confused by your comment that if the experience is too  "immersive" and you prefer "a more intimate setting" you can move them around--what's the difference between immersive and intimate?  Immersive is "swimming in the music" but too immersive is drowning in the music?

Please clarify

Krissy is a very nice person. I had her late husband’s products all over my listening room. It altered my sound in a way that became annoying so I sold them. Maybe her new iteration is a success.

I have moved on and now employ Von Schweikert VR9 SE M2 upgraded speakers, Westminster Labs REI monoblock solid state (!) Class A amps, Lampizator Poseidon DAC/Pre-amp, Jay’s Audio CDt3Mk3 CD transport, EAR 324 phono pre-amp, VPI TNT VI, highly modified SME IV w/Dynavector 20X2L, a mix of mostly Grover Huffman cabling except for Paradox Pulse SPDIF cable, four SupraNa 2 power cables and GH power cables, one very expensive Westerminster Labs Ultra XLR IC from pre-amp to amps,

I have kept my two pairs of Shakti Halographs as they do contribute to my custom built/designed listening room. The Synergistic Research MiG/SX footers under the EAR is one tweak as are my obsolete footers under the Poseidon (100s of tiny stainless steel or carbon steel balls floating in a glutinous matrix). I just don’t need tweaks any longer other than for the lesser equipment where I use Acme treated fuses and a variety of footers.

But zero emoji away from 🐂💩

Has anyone noticed that "Holostages" is just two letters away from being "Hostages" ?

Funny chit man.

I have never used Holostages. However, I have incorporated NeoDio R2 "pucks" into my system. I honestly don't know (and don't care) what the "science" is behind them, all I know is the improvement was breathtaking. I experience what the OP describes as "swimming in my music"- I just never thought to describe it that way. Allegedly, the R2's work to "calm" the water molecules in the room. It sounds crazy, and I don't care, because they are incredible. 
 

My system includes dedicated, shielded electrical runs, professionally installed room treatments, full complement of HRS racks, feet, etc. My point is, as crazy as some of these tweaks may sound- sometimes they really deliver. 

Some recent observations regarding placement of the Holos. Adding one Holo ear level on mid-left & right wall, to a configuration of 1 Holo on top of each floorstander & 1 Holo at ear level mid-left & right walls, and slightly behind listening position, and finally, 1Holo resting on top of L & R floorstander binding posts.
 

The addition of the Holos mid-left & right walls produced significantly denser, juicier more even & engaging immersive experience. Experimenting with placement on top of, or near speakers, as well as the location of the rear pair, produced the most notable changes of all locations thus far.
 

Placing a pair of Holos on top of each floorstander narrowed the field produced a more authoritative, forward soundstage, resembling a bit of toe-in.

If you're curious & on the fence about these little, nondescript, black boxes, give them a try. They come with superb customer service & a very generous return policy, but you'll want to keep them!

They really are quite amazing! 

Nirvana Sound

I have been reading around about these "stages." I have to say that the verbiage reminds me very much of that explaining orgonite. These stages sound like they are filled with graphene powder doped orgonite. The graphene increases electrical conductivity. Orgonite pucks contain a crystal in their core which is surrounded by a mixture of polyester resin and aluminum or other metal flakes. When the polyester resin cures and shrinks further pressure is placed on the crystal which heightens its piezoelectric sensitivity.

As a maker of orgonite my entire house if filled with various orgonite objects. I have been swimming in the field for years but never paid much attention to its potential effects on acoustics. However, orgonite very distinctly affects the body and mind, so that could be the avenue of activity. Primarily orgonite converts EMF's into something the body can handle with more ease. For electro-sensitive people being in its presence and handling it can bring great relief. There are perhaps some dots to be connected here.

I have used a lot of Krissy’s products throughout the years. Always a great bang for the buck investment.  They have a way of making your system sound richer and more coherent with no downside. Same goes for the holostages.  You can certainly make fun of the people that use them and their claims.  I know one thing- Kristy is no scam artist and is one of the nicest people in this industry. She is relentless worker who is always trying to improve her product. She is always accessible . Call her and she’ll advise want you may need for your system. Some people hear no difference between a lamp cord and $30,000 speaker cables. So be it. I hear  what I hear. Her products make a very nice improvement in my system for a bargain price. With a 60 day trial I don’t see the risk. She is an honest person and has been doing this a long time. My guess is you’ll be pleasantly surprised

cue…crystal clear persuasion….. 

Re: "Crystals"

Crystals don’t just affect electronics - they can become transmitters of vibrations (waves) that interact with brains. They can be "go-betweens" so to speak with the components of any environment, so they are potentially transmitting influences not just to our "ears" but also to our bodies in toto. Of course, our bodies are composed of crystals as well.

An interesting experiment: recline on a bed holding a crystal in each hand (preferably reasonably clear crystals with no or few fractures." Bend your arms so that each crystal is raised off the bed with your elbows still resting on the bed.. Then, looking down the axis of your reclining body play your eyes on one crystal at a time and do so in a back and forth manner so that the contrast in what you feel in either hand is heightened by the abrupt changes in gaze.. This can be a very surprising discovery and clues you in to the amount of energy that comes from our eyes and the amount of energy that crystals can transduce.

Having been a beta tester for Heartsound Audio (Krissy) for the last few years, I had the the chance to audition many prototypes of the Holostages and some other products. I concur with jmfinney's description of the effect the Holostages have on music presentation. Also, see gladmo's review of them under "member's reviews".. I've gone through numerous tweaks over the past 40 years and the latest version of the Holostages nailed it.                                                                                                     I found by experimenting that placement of these products is critical and it takes a few days for their full effect to emerge. . Also, using too many of them can be unpleasant and harsh after extended listening. I understand the naysayers here when it comes to tweaks,. I used to be one myself. A 60 day return policy is generous and risk free if you enjoy tweaking your sound like I do. I also enjoy tube and capacitor rolling, It's all fun. Good listening. Jeff

I’m mailing a 4 pack to Cuba, in a week the power system there will be the envy of Texas…. if that hasn’t happened…already

@dorkwad 

Thank you, Bob.  I was having a crappy day until I read your post.  Lewis Grizzard could learn from you...

This is the best thread ever! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣

I have a very good sounding setup in a dedicated room I built myself with some idea help from experts.  My speakers are VMPS RM40 BCSE w/ al the best upgrades except the OXO.  I have a heavily modified TRL DUDE preamp, the 2 best upgrades to the Nuforce Reference 9 SE mono amps from Bob Smith at TDSS, a heavily modified MW Sony 5400 Signature Truth CD/SACD, and very good ICs from Teo using the Schroeder double IC method, power cords from Bob Smith, WyWires, Dynamic Design, and one awesome Verastarr Statement,  SC from Clarity Cables Organic.

My system had 3 minor problems  specifically with the speakers that kept them from being close to my definition of perfect reproduced sound:  1.) the 66" H speakers have their ribbon tweeter exactly in the middle of the speaker--when sitting, there is very nice highs with great air and detail, when you stood up, there was a very noticeable loss in the highs;  2.) the 10" bass woofers are located top on the front near the top and near the bottom front--10" passive radiators are located facing down very near the bottom of the speakers--on loud deep bass transients, the sound bottomed out occasionally;  3.) on my pair that I've had for about 10 years, if the volume knob on my DUDE was turned up past 11:00, the right channel sound would stop until I returned the dial one notch lower or more, when it would resume playing like it should.

With those points in mind, Krissy sent me 2 sets of holostages about 6 months ago. Within a couple days of locating the holostages and 2 of the Perfect Path E-Mats in spots, all those problems went away.  I placed the first 2 holostages on top middle of the speakers (one on each), put one mat on top of the bottom board that holds the two side and rear boards to give the passive radiator room to breathe--that put the mat in the middle on that board.  2 other holostages went in my car's backseat.  My audio buddy told me about his in his car.  2 more holostages were put on my MW CD player about 3" from the power plug.  The other was placed about 3" from the power plug on the power supply of the MW.  

I have many CDs and records with great bass players on them.  On these cuts, the bass would bottom out on deep transients prior to placing the holostages on the equipment.  At no time since using these, has the bass bottomed out no matter what the volume level was.  As I stood up at 6'6", no longer did the highs lessen.  It was now like they were a point source speaker--highs all the way to the top of the speaker and even beyond.  Lastly, after about a month, the volume shutting off on the right channel stopped happening.  I could now play the speakers at VERY LOUD levels as high as I could listen at and all was well.  10 years of this problem were suddenly vanished just like that.

The two holostages in the car began doing their thing about a week after putting them in the back seat.  I have a 2005 Ford Escape SUV with a head unit from Kenwood that I installed along with a pair of $69 Kenwood speakers in the front.  I did not replace the rear speakers from stock.  I had a slight buzzing the right front speaker after installing it and it suddenly disappeared.  I use my vehicle more like a van and keep the back seat area flat all the way to the rear door.  I've had several aftermarket stereos installed in previous cars.  The sound of mine now was much better than I've had in previous vehicles--even my Impala that had a separate Infinity amp and 4 Kenwood speakers in it.  The holostages caused all matter of new sounds from my CDs from various spots in the vehicle.  

The kicker on the car parts was I thought I was going to have to replace the transmission because the vehicle keep missing as it would try to accelerate especially up hills.  My SUV has about 165,000 miles on it and never had a tune up.  It didn't have very good pickup.  Now, the buzz is gone, my acceleration has really increased, the car stereo sounds much better in SQ and has more power.  

I told Krissy that I didn't care what's in the little boxes, only that they did these things.  I wasn't expecting the performance increase in my SUV.  Another thing, the AC used to take about 5 minutes to cool the car and now, it cools it in a bout 30 seconds.  Same with the heater, heats the vehicle in about the same time.  The aright front brake was squeeling if I braked too hard before.  It hasn't made a noise since.

If you guys who haven't tried the holostages like talking crap when you have zero knowledge, be my guest.  That's a lot of good things from 2 small boxes in my SUV. Thanks Krissy.  I have quite a few of her black boxes in my home system and each one significantly improves the SQ of the music.  I feel quite blessed to have a system in both my house and my car that I can hardly wait to listen to.  Those who are ignorant, bash away--but you don't know what you're missing.  Every system will improve with each addition.  

Bob

I have 6 Holostages in my Camaro convertible RS V6 with the upgraded Bose Stetmreo. I have never been much of a Bose stereo guy but did like the one that came with this car. Upon adding a few of the Holostages to my back seat my sound system started to become more three dimensional. Several months and 4 more Holostages later the sound is way above anything I have heard in any car. And I have heard a 20k custom system in a Genisis car at an Audiophile Christmas Party in Tampa Florida about 4 years ago. The soundstage is huge and covers the entire windshield. The vocals actually have texture and the three dimensionality pops out at you  There is also some great bass now and it us not overblown but hits hard when appropriate  I had very little expectations for the Holostages in my car as I have never been a car audio guy.

I put 2 of them in my car at the end of last winter when it was a warm day and I could put the top down. 30 minutes later I was able to drive with the top down and I could already tell the sound was changing albeit slightly. I could tell it was a little better a day later even though I felt that the bass was a little diminished. The bass came back and then some a few days later! Anyhow, about 6 months later now the sound just makes me laugh and smile! There is another positive aspect to these things but I will save that for another time. If anyone in the Chicagoland area would like to hear my car I would be glad to meet you somewhere in between your place and mine out  in Sugar Grove, IL. Trust me hearing is believing!

Come on sweet boys, it’s just an audio forum.

That product is probably unavailable at Upscale Audio 

My last posts here had 2 goals:

First pointing that the OP experience make sense to me...

Second: we can make experiments in vibration controls at no cost and reach if not the same results than the OP at least a satisfying experience...( for example with springs, micro quartz crystals, or diverse materials)

Third : only hateful people can attack me because i say this ...

I posted many posts about acoustics and psycho acoustics information instead of insulting or gangstalking the people who seems up over your head or down under your feet .. ...

I appeal to thinking and arguments...

You last post is insinuation and insult..

Is your post an appeal to another gangstalking ? Or the expression of your  way of being ?

In acoustics the sentence " you get what you pay for " has no conceptual  meaning....

We buy what our budget makes us able to afford... One this is done  the real work, the real learning begin : experiments  at the lowest costs...

Maybe the sanest way to process this is to look at it as performance art. In 2013, artist Pyotr Pavlensky famously nailed his testicles to the ground in Red Square to protest increased authoritarianism in Russia. Paying $999 for 4 little plastic pucks is undeniably less painful, but where is the political value? Exactly. You get what you pay for 😂🤣

Vibrations controls can be done in many ways...It is a trade-off set of experiments. I did it at no cost...It is based on elementary knowledge or experiments ( nano crystals, shungite, and many materials or devices as springs etc ).

Some buy gear with no experiments and change the gear by frustration or unsatisfaction.

Others buy basic good gear for their specific needs and makes extensive experiments to improve it... At the end no need for further upgrade race, nevermind your specific budget, this experiments principle rules at all audio design levels... ... I did it...

This place is always good for a laugh.

Thanks all.

I am certainly no expert (unless you consider I have had Shakti Stones sitting over the power supplies in my equipment for years - too lazy to sell them), but my dumb, common-sense logic makes me believe anything to be affected by crystals would need to be located fairly close to the crystals.  Therefore, I am dubious to read claims of "mesmerizingly effective" sonic improvements resulting from crystals in plastic boxes that are basically sprinkled around a room.  To me, these are more like pet rocks in a box.  Buy hey, what do I know.  With a 60-day money back guarantee, by all means buy some, try them, and report back.  You almost can't lose when you consider Shakti Stones have held their resale value better and longer than just about any audiophile product I am aware of - you can still get $100 a pop for them, used!

There are more things in heaven and sonic than we know of. However, the description of the innards sounds a bit thin. I will be trying them out anyway since they are returnable.

As a maker and purveyor of orgonite since 2013 I know whereof stranger things can sometimes become advances in understanding. "Stretching It" is always worth a shot even if you are likely to be the recipient of ridicule. A lot of these outlandish sounding discoveries are a product of bravery and gall.