Feeling a bit stressed? Then fire up your hi-fi and enjoy its surprising health and well-being benefits

Hi-fi enthusiasts may be reaping rewards well beyond the joys of being able to listen to high-quality music any time they choose. In this blog, we look at some of the evidence for the health and well-being benefits of listening to music on a good system.

Much is written about the hectic pace of modern life and how important it is to find ways to de-stress and decompress. Finding a bit of ‘me time’ can feel like a rare luxury.

The good news for hi-fi enthusiasts is that research shows listening to music can reduce stress and cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and lead to better sleep quality.

Now, it might be argued that you can get all, or at least many, of those benefits by listening to music played through a cheap smart speaker or your old kitchen radio. But consider this: is listening to music in the background while you’re busy doing other things the same as setting aside time to sit down and actually listen to an album or some of your favourite tracks?

Clearly not. There is a difference between background noise and attentive listening. The first is like glancing occasionally at a TV in a hospital waiting room (been there); the second is like going to see a good film at the cinema.

Added to which, hi-fi enthusiasts are more likely to set aside that listening time in the first place because they have taken the trouble to build (and pay for) a quality system.

Musical Mindfulness

Yes, mindfulness is a bit of a buzzword. But, in old money, mindfulness pretty much means focusing on what you’re doing.

Listening to music on a hi-fi system is an intentional act. It requires you to select a record, CD or a playlist, and then give that piece of music the attention it deserves. There is a ritual element to this process, especially if you are using vinyl as your source.

There is a lovely scene in the otherwise high-octane and often violent 2011 film The Mechanic in which Jason Statham’s hitman character comes home after a hard day at ‘the office’.

Jason Statham fires up his hi-fi in The Mechanic. Courtesy of CBS Films, MIllennium Films and Chartoff-Winkler Productions.

The first thing he does is select a record and place it on his turntable (apparently a Pro-Ject RPM 9.2 Evolution). The camera zooms in on him switching on the motor, moving the carbon arm over, followed by a side view of the cartridge and a shot of Jason lowering the arm onto the record. Some Schubert starts to play, and Statham’s character has a mindful moment in his otherwise brutal life.

This sort of listening is a bit like meditation, where you focus your attention on something other than the million and one thoughts racing around your head — or even your work as a hitman. When listening to music, you are in the moment, and your thoughts slow.

Actively listening, as opposed to having music as background sound, has also been shown to improve attention span, working memory, and processing speed.

As digital media acts to shorten human attention spans — think TikTok clips, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, constant notifications, and endless scrolling — it may be that sitting down and listening to music provides some respite and recovery in our increasingly bite-sized lives.

The Science

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans have revealed that music activates multiple regions of the brain, including the auditory cortex, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. Studies show that listening to music increases activity in areas associated with reward, emotion, memory, and motor coordination.

A 2011 study by researchers at McGill University in Canada found that emotional responses to music can trigger the release of dopamine — the same chemical released when people eat something delicious, experience physical intimacy, or — not that we advocate it — take drugs.

It was reported that one participant’s dopamine levels increased by more than a fifth when listening to music they enjoyed. Most experienced a rise of up to 9 per cent.

Although not tested in the McGill study, it could be argued that the level of enjoyment — and therefore dopamine release — may be enhanced when listening through a good hi-fi system that delivers high-quality sound.

Many studies have also shown that music can reduce levels of cortisol (often referred to as the stress hormone), which in turn can slow heart rate and lower blood pressure.

It’s no accident that certain types of music — such as ambient, new age, and binaural beats — are commonly used to aid relaxation in alternative healing and meditation sessions.

Emotional impact

A system that can deliver micro musical details, truer tonality in vocals and instruments, as well as width and depth to the soundstage, adds to the immersive experience and allows listeners to truly ‘lose themselves’ in the music.

A well-sorted hi-fi system that captures the subtleties and dynamic range of music delivers a more authentic sound. This means our emotional response to the music is likely to be more genuine and intense.

We all know that music can stir our emotions — whether it’s the poignant song that brings us to tears or the headbanger we queue up on our gym or jogging playlist to give us a bit more ‘giddy-up’.

Music can be a healthy outlet for our emotions, helping us to grieve, celebrate, or reconnect with long-forgotten memories and feelings.

There’s also a significant social aspect to music. It might be playing a few tracks that you and your partner enjoy — songs that carry shared memories — or putting on music at a party or social gathering, perhaps even taking requests from guests for their favourites.

Social bonding is key to good mental health and has been shown to increase oxytocin levels — a hormone linked to trust and connection.

Love the tech

So far, we’ve talked about the music — but many people also take pleasure in the physical aesthetics of hi-fi and the technical details.

Having our homes and the things in them look the way we want contributes to a sense of well-being.

looking good - the Monitor Audio Studio 89 standmount speakers

A beautifully designed and finished pair of speakers, like the Focal Sopra N°1s or the Monitor Audio Studio 89s, can look stunning in the right setting. Likewise, turntables often marry engineering and design into something that resembles a piece of art — think of Rega’s Planar 8 or the Michell Gyro SE. Amplifiers such as the Chord Electronics Ultima, the McIntosh MA5300, or the Naim Nait 5si are also examples of components that are, in their own right, a pleasure to look at.

Engineering meets design in rega’s planar 8 turntable

Some people also enjoy digging into the technical specifications of a component — its construction, function, and engineering — as much as its sound. Those with a passion for the technical and developmental side of hi-fi often join online forums or attend hi-fi shows and events. These social spaces foster connection and conversation, with all the mental health benefits that come with them.

Chord Electronics Ultima integrated amplifier is beautifully made and designed

Conclusion

It seems increasingly rare in our busy lives to enjoy quality time to ourselves. When not busy dealing with work and life in general, we often find ourselves scrolling on our phones, jumping between different feeds and messages. Doom scrolling can erode our sense of well-being.

Setting aside time to properly listen to music can be an antidote to the hectic pace of life. Investing in a decent hi-fi system can enhance that experience by making it more immersive and real, which in turn encourages heightened neurological and emotional responses.

Listening to music on a good hi-fi system is a holistic experience. In that moment, you don’t just hear the music — you feel it and live it. Discovering fantastic new music and artists is refreshing and even mentally stretching.

But music can also take you back in time to happy memories of people and places. It can unlock bottled-up emotions. Or it can simply help you have a good time with your family and friends.

In that way, Audio T’s customers are, in a small way, helping themselves to lead happier and ultimately healthier lives. Happy listening!

If you’d like to explore your listening options or book a demo, please feel free to give us a call on 02392 663604 or email us at portsmouth@audio-t.co.uk

Alan, Aga and Luke - Audio T Portsmouth

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