Expert Reviews
Independent perspectives from journalists, creators and professionals who have experienced SonicNEST firsthand.
SonicNEST Professional Observations by Dr Wojciech Strzelecki / 3.08.2026
SonicNEST has undergone early professional observation by Dr Wojciech Strzelecki, psychologist and music therapist, based on his own experience with the device, observations of users, and interviews conducted during its early evaluation. The observations included adults without neurodevelopmental diagnoses as well as neurodivergent children with ASD and ADHD. In the case of children, SonicNEST was used within individual music therapy sessions.
Dr Strzelecki describes SonicNEST as a multisensory platform that allows music to be perceived simultaneously through hearing and through the body. High-quality sound is combined with clearly perceptible vibration, creating an embodied musical experience that may involve auditory perception, bodily sensation, emotional response, attention, movement and vocal expression.
Attention, immersion and self-regulation
One of the recurring observations was an increased level of focus and engagement with music.
The combination of sound and vibration may create a stronger and more concrete musical stimulus than conventional listening alone. According to the review, this may contribute to deeper immersion in music, longer periods of attention, greater emotional involvement and increased awareness of bodily sensations.
In adults without neurodevelopmental diagnoses, the experience was associated with increased engagement in music, a stronger sense of immersion and bodily presence, and the potential to support relaxation, reduction of subjective tension and a greater sense of calm when appropriate music is selected.
These observations also suggest potential applications in music therapy, relaxation training, mindfulness, work with emotions and well-being.
Observations in children with ASD
The observations involving children on the autism spectrum were particularly noteworthy.
During individual music therapy sessions, increased concentration and focus on music were observed when auditory stimulation was accompanied by simultaneous vibration. The multisensory nature of the experience appeared to support perception of rhythm and musical structure and, when the intensity of the stimulation was appropriately adapted to the child, may support sensory and emotional regulation.
The review also describes increased expressive activity involving movement, sound and vocal expression.
One of the most interesting observations was an increase in vocalizations among low-functioning children. Dr Strzelecki identifies this as a particularly interesting direction for further study, as it may reflect spontaneous vocal expression, pre-verbal communication or an increased readiness for interaction.
The experience may also create a non-verbal space for contact and shared musical engagement, while directing attention toward bodily sensations associated with music.
At the same time, the review emphasizes the importance of individualization. In some children with ASD, excessive sound or vibration may lead to sensory overload, making adjustable stimulation intensity and careful observation of the individual response essential.
Observations in children with ADHD
In children with ADHD, the combination of clearly perceived music and body-felt vibration appeared to provide an external structure for attention, movement and arousal.
During individual music therapy sessions, observations included:
increased focus on music and reduced shifting of attention toward other stimuli,
longer periods of concentration and sustained engagement in musical activity,
calming and reduction of excessive arousal when music and vibration were appropriately selected,
improved organization of movement and behavior through clear rhythm and predictable musical structure.
An important observation was that regulation did not necessarily mean simply “calming down.” In some cases, the experience appeared to help the child reach a level of activation more conducive to concentration and purposeful activity.
The review also identifies potential opportunities for working with response inhibition, turn-taking, initiation and stopping of activity, responding to musical changes, and using music as a safe channel for expression and motor activity.
A promising direction for further research
Dr Strzelecki concludes that SonicNEST shows potential to create a deeper, multisensory musical experience in which auditory perception is enhanced by vibration experienced throughout the body.
The observations collected so far are consistent with the hypothesis that combining high-quality music with deep vibrational stimulation may increase engagement in the musical experience and support processes of self-regulation and expression.
Potential areas of further application include:
music therapy · emotional-sensory regulation · attention-related work · developmental support · embodied music perception research
The observations are preliminary and should not be interpreted as evidence of established therapeutic effectiveness. Further structured research — including before-and-after measurements, comparison with conventional music listening and consideration of individual sensory profiles — is recommended.
SonicNEST is not presented as an independent diagnostic method or a substitute for established therapy. Its potential value lies in its use as part of a deliberately designed therapeutic or research process, with individualized selection of music and stimulation parameters.
Dr Wojciech Strzelecki
Dr Wojciech Strzelecki — Psychologist & Music Therapist, music therapy researcher with extensive experience working with neurodivergent children and adults.
Published with the author's permission.
SonicNEST Review by Adam Chabinski / 13.07.2026
Not everyone uses headphones to immerse themselves in music. Some are bothered by tangled cables, while others dislike the awareness of sound compression, latency, and the other compromises associated with wireless transmission. So what if someone created a sound capsule? Well, someone has — and it is called SonicNEST.
The shape and finish of the structure suggest its intended purpose. If it were simply a listening platform, it would most likely look entirely different: you could place your favourite armchair in the centre, while the speakers would stand on plinths, positioned at least a few dozen centimetres above the floor.
Here, however, we are dealing with something quite different. The softly upholstered centre of the platform invites the listener to sit cross-legged — a posture naturally associated with meditation and contemplative practices. Indeed, SonicNEST serves precisely this purpose: using music to enhance the sense of separation from the surrounding environment.
This is supported by the platform’s distinctive construction, which incorporates a sub-sat system consisting of two compact monitors angled so that the sound travels directly towards the listener’s ears, together with a subwoofer. The latter is mounted in such a way that low frequencies are transmitted through the seat to the listener’s body. It is a distinctive solution, but one that unquestionably intensifies the experience of the music and allows for greater immersion.
Despite their compact size, the monitors perform their role exceptionally well, producing a full, rich sound. It is genuinely surprising that speakers this small are capable of delivering such a remarkable result. It makes you want to stay a little longer...
The only question is how long someone unaccustomed to sitting cross-legged will be able to remain in this position — even when completely absorbed by the music and the experience. This consideration suggests that a natural audience for SonicNEST may be people who practise meditation and yoga, although its sound quality and level of immersion also make it an original form of conscious, personal music listening.
Adam Chabinski
Former Editor-in-Chief of CHIP Mgazine / PL
Science & Technology Journalist
Published with the author's permission.