One of the most common mistakes in setting up the sound environment for touch related healing practices is to position the sound source – the speakers – at one end of the room, usually with both speakers right next to each other (like a "boom box" arrangement). In this setup, sound will be perceived as monophonic (rather than stereophonic) and will bounce off all the walls before finally arriving at our ears. These bouncing "sound reflections" make the experience of the sound and music more indirect and it lessens the "presence" of the music.

So what is the solution? Separate! Move the speakers apart and situate them to the left and right side of (and as the same height as) the patient/client's head. In musical terms, you want the client’s head in the "sweet spot" -- the invisible line connecting the two speakers to the ears of the listener. In other words, the sweet spot is is that place right between the speakers which gives a direct path of sound-to-ear.

Incorrect Placement		Correct Placement - Direct Path to Ears

Once you try this, you will be amazed at the difference in sound experience.

This little tip alone will drastically improve the sound quality and acoustic experience for your patients and clients. Combined with the psychoacoustic recordings from The Heart of Sound, a pleasant listening experience becomes a healing, mind-altering experience.

You do not need a high tech, high-end stereo system for this to work. Most "boom boxes" come with detachable speakers. Just run down to Radio Shack™, get a bunch of speaker wire and black electrical tape and extend the range of your speakers by splicing the existing wires to the speakers with the longer lengths you just bought. Put the speakers at the same height of your patient's head – on shelves, a table or a couple of inexpensive speaker stands. I bought a couple of tall, candle stands for my speakers. Be creative! There are lots of possibilities.