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FREE Shipping + 70-Minute White Noise CD with all Sound Conditioners (excluding Biobrite) ...PLUS Complimentary Travel Pillow with all travel models (Marpac TSC-330 and Sound Oasis S-850).
Consumer Reports: sound conditioners virtually as effective as sleeping pills (our Sound Oasis S-650 is one generation ahead of top-rated sound conditioner in article, and $30 less). Click here for article.
There are two types of sound conditioners: electro-mechanical (Marpac 980A and 580A) and digital (all other sound conditioners). Click here for a comparison table.
Sound conditioners (or
“white noise machines”) are a staple among sleep products. They were traditionally designed to create white noise –
similar to TV static.The purpose was
(and still is, in many cases) to mask background noises that interfere with sleep
or that create distractions in an office environment.Newer, more advanced models digitally create
white noise plus other sounds that help one sleep and/or create a spa-like or
meditative atmosphere (e.g., rain, crickets, bamboo wind chimes, night train,
heartbeat, “delta sleep signals,” and even lullabies).
Electro-mechanical.Here, an electro-mechanical
motor creates white noise by sucking air through narrow holes in the unit’s
shell.These units are valued because
of the “pure” or “natural” white noise they create.The most popular models are the Marpac 980A
and 580A Sleepmate (also called the Sound Screen), which were first invented in
the 1960’s.The Marpac 980A is, in fact,
the most popular sound conditioner overall in the market today.
Digital.Here, digital “sound cards” with infinite
sound loops create the sound.The sound
cards either installed permanently inside the unit’s circuitry (Marpac DS-600A,
TSC-330, 440, 1288A, Sound Oasis S-850, SB-950, S-3000), or can be inserted and
swapped from the outside (Sound Oasis S-650, S-550-03, S-560-02).A switch or button determines which digital
recording is played.Marpac’s 1288A and
Sound Oasis’ S-3000 allow additional “layering” or mixing of sounds for further
customization.Sound Oasis tends to be
more technologically advanced and provides a much broader selection of sounds,
partly due to its patent-pending sound card technology.Many of the Sound Oasis sounds are
scientifically designed by sleep experts to stimulate ideal sleep patterns.
Which type of model is
better for you?It depends on your
preferences.
Electro-mechanical vs. digital:the
electro-mechanical models produce richer or “thicker” sound, but the units are
not as flexible in terms of volume and sound character.The most popular seller in this category is
the Marpac 980A.The digital units are
much more flexible, but some people do not like the digital nature of the sound
or only want basic white noise.Sound
Oasis addresses one drawback of most digital sound conditioners by making extra
long soundtracks (25-60 seconds, versus the more common 5-6 second range).In this way, it’s virtually impossible to get
distracted by hearing the same pattern repeat over and over (which may keep
insomniacs from sleeping).Among digital
sound conditioners, the Sound Oasis S-550-03 is the most popular, while the
Sound Oasis S-3000 is the most advanced and versatile (it includes 3 speakers,
an AM/FM radio, alarm clock, and up to 120 sounds using the sound mixing
technology).Marpac’s most advanced
model is the Marpac Marsona 1288A.
Besides the type of sound
you are seeking, here are a few other features that may help you make up your
mind among the growing number of sound conditioner choices:
Bedside table space-savers: the Sound Oasis S-3000, S-650 and S-850 all
incorporate alarm clock features, so you can say goodbye to your alarm
clock.Biobrite (www.biobrite.com), a maker of sunrise alarm
clocks, also has a unit which includes digital white noise (the “alarm clock”
comes in the form of a sunrise simulator, a light bulb that gradually brightens
to the point of waking you up).
Travel-friendly models: Some models are built for portability and travel,
such as the Marpac TSC-330 (small and lightweight) and the Sound Oasis S-850 Travel
Sound Therapy System (compact, battery-operated and with a jet lag reduction
sound).
Models for infants or young children:The Marpac
Lifesounds 440 has sounds specially designed for children (heartbeat,
lullabies, womb sounds), as does the Sound Oasis Sleep Bear 950, which is
actually a sound conditioner embedded inside a teddy bear.
Popularity among consumers:If you want
to take others’ words for it, then consider that the Marpac 980A is the most
popular electro-mechanical model, and the Sound Oasis S-550-03 is the most
popular digital model.
Latest model:Billed by the company as a “next generation
sound conditioner,” the attractively designed Sound Oasis S-650 is the newest
model covered in this article.Features
include patented sound card technology, patented Sleep Enhancement® technology
that slows down sound playback to lull users to sleep, and many other
features.
Price: The
least expensive model is the Marpac 580A, offered by many retailers for as low
as $40.95.Next are the Marpac 980A and
Sound Oasis S-550-03, both found for $49.95, sometimes with free shipping.At the high end, the Sound Oasis S-3000 is
found for $149.95.All other models
covered in this article are priced in between.All models can be purchased with free shipping and sometimes with a free
gift included.
If you are a light sleeper,
a shift worker, or simply live in a noisy environment, then sound conditioners
area great way to improve your sleep.They are relatively inexpensive, work immediately, last for years, and
don’t involve any known health risks.
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