Keep your humidity up

[PHC1]

With the winter here and our heating systems on more frequently for most of us in the northern states, the indoor air is getting dry. Something that we don't consider much in our listening environment is the humidity levels. The attenuation of sound in air is affected by the relative humidity. Dry air absorbs far more acoustical energy than does moist air. This is because moist air is less dense than dry air (water vapor weighs less than air). That's not to mention the fact that dry air starts to shrink wood (speaker cabinets) and causing massive static build up which threatens our gear and wrecks havoc on speaker cables laying on the carpet. Then there is the whole health issue with dry air and skin, nasal passages and lung discomfort.

Although I have 2 humidifiers on my hvac, they are not enough and I typically bring out the humidifier into my listening room to keep the humidity levels to at least 45%. More comfort and yes, typically the system sounds much better.

I picked up 2 new humidifiers for this season as mine were getting old. These are not expensive and work really well.

https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Hu...tao+humidifier

[rubytuesday]

Serge....I literally just add a new filter and a secondary portable humidifier to my basement this afternoon. In Minnesota, we know about cold dry air. I knew I needed to add humidity when I went to turn on my McIntosh and saw a spark of static off my finger on the light switch to my music room.

[JMAC]

Although I have 2 humidifiers on my hvac, they are not enough and I typically bring out the humidifier into my listening room to keep the humidity levels to at least 45%. More comfort and yes, typically the system sounds much better.

I picked up 2 new humidifiers for this season as mine were getting old. These are not expensive and work really well.



I have a couple that size that I run around the clock.

[GaryProtein]

The problem with cool water vaporizers is in addition to the water, they also put all the dissolved minerals into the air, resulting in a white dust on everything.

You need to use Reverse osmosis water or distilled water to keep things clean.

[PHC1]

The model above has a water filter which helps.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

The problem with cool water vaporizers is in addition to the water, they also put all the dissolved minerals into the air, resulting in a white dust on everything.

You need to use Reverse osmosis water or distilled water to keep things clean.

+1

On-board filters will remove suspended solids, but will not remove the dissolved solids (minerals from hard water or salt from softened water), which cause the dust. Evaporation from my saltwater fish tank keeps my listening room nice and comfy.

[Audiophilehi]

Agreed! Have my humidifier in my listening room for the last 3 weeks. Will be there until around March!

[W9TR]

I had a Honeywell Tru-Steam whole house humidifier in our Minneapolis house. Fed with an RO system. Very soft humidity - best I've ever experienced.

[Rex Anderson]

Not enough humidity is never a problem here in SW Florida!

We're still using air conditioning (cooling) and have a dehumidifier on the system to keep the humidity level down so we don't have mold problems.

We haven't had the heat on for more than a few days in the past three years we have lived here.

Not complaining....

[Questortapes74]

Agreed that a little filtered moisture is a great thing. One of the benefits that I experience personally is less use of moisturizing creams. In the winter, I struggle with terrible dryness of the hands and torso. However the added moisture cuts the problem down to where I only use the cream prior to settling down for my nightly slumber.

Regards