Headphones

Nadnerb · June 13th, 2012, 20:34

Hello,

I've begun using LifeFlow 10. I believe that as I progress with additional LifeFlow audios I will experience different frequency ranges.

Currently I have rudimentary headphones however, I'm concerned that some LifeFlow audios might be outside the frequency range of my current and any replacement heaphones I might choose to buy.

Can you offer guidance please in terms of the frequency range the headphones should be able to receive.

Kind regards,

pollyanna · June 14th, 2012, 12:40

Originally Posted by Nadnerb

Hello,

I've begun using LifeFlow 10. I believe that as I progress with additional LifeFlow audios I will experience different frequency ranges.

Currently I have rudimentary headphones however, I'm concerned that some LifeFlow audios might be outside the frequency range of my current and any replacement heaphones I might choose to buy.

Can you offer guidance please in terms of the frequency range the headphones should be able to receive.

Kind regards,

Hi there and welcome to the community

Most headphones will work - Sony MDR XD-200 are recommended as an example. The carrier frequencies of the LifeFlow series are between 30Hz or 60Hz. Most headphones have a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz or even 22,000Hz. So, if/when you are purchasing headphones, just make sure they go as low as 20Hz and you will be just fine. Any extra filters (Bass, treble, dolby etc) on your headphones should all be switched off.

Twenty Hz is the limit at which the human ear can resolve a "pitch" from a sound. It is not the limit at which the vibrations from sound can be perceived. Below 20Hz they are simply perceived as beats, not as a musical pitch.

Hope this helps, look forward to hearing how you progress and wish you much peace and joy

GilesC · June 14th, 2012, 15:34

Pollyanna,

I don't think Sony make the MDR XD-200 model any more. I know when I bought mine a couple of years back the Sony shop said they were an old model and they had to dig out some from the store room, and looking around on Amazon and even the online Sony shop they're "currently unavailable".

I think Michael perhaps needs to identify a suitable replacement and update the FAQ for that.

To add to what you were saying about the frequencies... the way the binaural beats are constructed is by using two slightly different frequencies that are of a higher Hz and can be heard. The actual "beat" is constructed in the brain because of the slight "out of phase" effect of those frequencies. So as long as the headphones can deal with the higher frequencies being used, we don't have to worry about them being able to play the lower frequencies of the entrainment beats directly. At least that's how I understand it.

Hugs

Giles

Harry Hondo · July 16th, 2012, 19:49

Giles, Amazon does still sell the Sony MDR XD-200 headphones, at least on the American site. A while back, I bought a pair of Sony MDR-XB500 headphones with a bit more dynamic range (4-24000) and the best part of this pair is they have extra cushy ear covers. They cost about $20 more, but I like the extra padding, since my ears tend to get sore (I'm a side-sleeper so I spend every night with my ear against the pillow).

Biker Bill · July 16th, 2012, 22:41

I'm sure any old headphones will be fine. As has been said, most have a frequency range of 20-20,000 - as does most sound equipment.
I would dispute the recommendation to avoid the type that fit into the ear canals. The suggestion seems to be that sound might reach one ear fractionally before the other, disrupting the binaural effect. This is ludicrous. Sound travels at 343.2 metres per second . A couple of millimetres difference in earphone placement from ear to ear wont make the slightest difference. Nor is it likely, in the case of over-the-ear headphones, that the distance from your outer ear to your eardrum is exactly the same left and right.
I use in-ear-moniters all the time. I use them for music, I used them for Holosync and various other entrainment soundtracks, and I use them for Lifeflow. I find them way more comfortable than having my ears covered, they put the sound right inside the head, and isolate completely from external noise, so are more effective at lower volume.
Just saying...

GilesC · July 17th, 2012, 01:38

I think the issue with the earbud headphones wasn't so much the distance from the eardrum as the angle at which they may be placed causing a change in the frequency somehow. However I think the main reason for recommending over the ear headphones is rather that they are more comfortable in the long term than a lot of earbud ones. Personally I've used both without any issue, but I guess it's up to the individual to find what suits them best.

Hugs

Giles

Biker Bill · July 17th, 2012, 10:16

Distance or angle, I believe it's irrelevant. It's difficult to imagine having earbuds in at angles so different the frequency would be altered

- you know straight away with in-ear-phones whether they're in right. The comfort issue is of course purely a matter of personal choice. For me, earbuds are way more comfortable than on or over ear phones. The point is, personal preference should be the only criterion when choosing - not worrying about whether the frequency is affected by slight variations in fit. It isn't.

pollyanna · July 17th, 2012, 21:59

Thanks Giles,

I did pass on your suggestion with regards to headphones and F.A.Q.'s and I was told there are a number of changes being made to the forum and they will recommend other headphones available in the U.K.

Hi there Biker Bill,

I hardly ever use headphones now, when meditating and playing any of the LifeFlow technology. I did use them a lot when I began meditating properly over 5 years ago. I have tried the earbuds with my ipod and for me they were way too uncomfortable to use for anything - I never knew whether I was placing them in correctly or not so they got put back in the box.

A lot of people have no idea which headphones to get or how to use the different settings on them. The ones recommended are simply a recommendation so I wouldn't worry about it. If you are comfortable with your ear buds, then they will be fine for you.

You may enjoy listening without headphones sometimes also.

I wish you much peace and joy

hansolo · November 3rd, 2012, 05:11

I found headphones that are 16 Hz - 20 kHZ would this be ok, or does the lowest frequency have to be 20Hz? I'm on level 10 just started yesterday. Thanks for reading.

zsz101 · November 24th, 2012, 17:47

Hi There,

I'm new to LifeFlow as well. Harry, I too use the Sony XB series. Mine are the MDR-XB600 model to be exact.

Our models are advertised as having "extra bass," and I'm curious to know if that will interfere with the LifeFlow tracks. It's not actually a setting or anything that can be switched off. The headphones are just described as having a better bass response, which I guess equates to extra bass. I think it's labeled as extra bass since the frequency response goes down to 4 Hz.

Are these suitable for listening to LifeFlow?

Thank you!

ZZ