Hermosa Harmony Festival 2021
World of Sound Productions
Review by Ross Anthony

audienceWhat if rock concerts weren't so loud? What if, in fact, you controlled the volume of a live music event? I really enjoy live entertainment, but unfortunately, amplifying a play, concert, dj, or even a business presentation is an art and science that all too often stumbles in its attempt to bring high quality audio to everyone's ears. World of Sound Productions (which serviced this years Hermosa Harmony Festival) has solved many of the pitfalls of amplification. Below you'll find my review of this "Quiet Concert" angle of the Hermosa Harmony Festival - not the event itself. This was my first time experiencing a live event via wireless stereo headphones - and I'm really excited to tell you about it. Yes, there are improvements that can be made to the World of Sound Productions system, still, in my opinion, this system outperforms standard amplification systems (in general).

World of Sound Productions requires tickets to be bought online, this also makes it easier for them to hold your credit card deposit on their multi-channel, multi-color, stereo headphones. These sound great - and you control the volume! Staff were enthusiastic, upbeat, and sincerely excited about their service/product as well.

VOLUME/MIX/EQ: Once I adjusted the volume to my liking, the sound was excellent. The live stage mix was dead on. The vocals were on top without straining (like so many other live venues). The instruments sounded so clean and distinct and balanced. Very very nice. What a pleasure!

MIX location: With an amplified presentation, the mix and volume both change (sometimes drastically and abusively) depending on where in relation to the stage you sit or stand. I love love love that the headphones completely eliminate the problem. Plus, you can even use the restroom or food vendors without missing the music!

CONVERSATION: With headphones you can pop them off and talk without screaming at your friends. What a pleasure.

SIGNAL: I walked 500 steps away and still had a strong signal! Wow! I gave up trying to find the end of that signal and walked back.

UNCLUTTERED STAGE: In addition to the other advantages over an amplified band experience - the stage is uncluttered - no amps/speakers/monitors to block the audience view or box the band in. It all feels far more open and intimate.

HAT: I happened to be wearing an Indiana Jones type hat over which I put the headphones. This actually opened up a variation on the listener experience. I upped the volume just a bit and could also enjoy the sounds around me in the mix. Plus, no sweat.

DROPOUTS: Almost zero! There were only a handful maybe 5 for 2-4 hours of listening and they were all localized during the same couple of songs.

BAND CHATTER: Since the vocal mics can be given more gain, singers don't have to stress their vocal cords. As a side effect, audiences can hear band members talking to each between or before/after sets. That said, an audience-facing mic would be nice to give the band better interactions with the crowd.

ACOUSTIC GRAFFITI: (Led Zeppelin Tribute Band) They absolutely killed it! Never seen Zep live, but I feel like this band would give them a run for their money. Wonderful!

Keep an eye (or ear) out for headphone concerts. I can see future advancements including the ability to equalize to your preference. Such a customization would also be very useful for those with hearing disabilities. I am absolutely excited about this technology.


  • Based on the October 2nd, 2021 Hermosa Harmony Festival Event and World of Sound Productions. Copyright © 2021.
  • Starring Georgie Henleyc Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Kiran Shah, Liam Neeson.
  • Directed by Thomas Carter.
  • Screenplay by Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely Based on the book by C.S. Lewis.
  • Produced by Mark Johnson, Philip Steuer at Buena Vista/Disney and Walden Media.

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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Nov-2021 09:47:24 PST