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Capt'n Corrupt's Avatar
Posts: 3,524 | Thanked: 2,958 times | Joined on Oct 2007 @ Delta Quadrant
#25
Originally Posted by ArnimS View Post
Beat frequencies are generated by two overlaid waves at different frequencies. If for e.g. you play back a 400hz wave and a 406hz wave, your ear will hear a wave at 6 hz.

For the ear to hear a beat frequency does not require a playback mechanism capable of reproducing a carrier at that frequency. Specifically, to hear a 6hz (cycles per second) frequency using ~400hz carrier waves, any speaker or headphone will suffice. Here, i show yuu.

http://pupnik.de/beat_frequency_6hz_at_400hz.mp3
The insight is much appreciated! However, it is the carrier frequencies are in question. With certain binaurals, the carriers themselves can drop to the sub 10Hz level (6Hz with beats at ~0.2, I've read). I would imagine that regular headphones would butcher sound at this level especially given the standard amplifiers in most (not excluding the N810) portable listening devices. Though the beat frequencies are likely inaudible, there is apparently a very real psychological effect that the recordings have. I would imagine, that at this ultra-low level, its likely that special binaural headphones would have to be purchased.

For the time being, though, it doesn't hurt to have a good pair of headphones to take advantage of a wider and more consistent frequency spectrum for normal listening! The ability to use the N810 for this task further broadens its usefulness.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt