There is a well-known mindfulness technique called the 54321 method, which involves listing five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. In London, hearing just three things is a luxury amidst the constant cacophony. This noise pollution is detrimental to our mental health, a concern that has driven Nico Elliott, co-founder of Polygon Projects, to open Polygon Portal, London's first 360-degree listening room on Dean Street.
The Concept of Polygon Portal
Polygon Portal offers traditional listening experiences like high-quality album playbacks and live performances, but also features wellness sessions such as yoga, soundbaths, and guided meditation. Elliott explains that being enveloped in sound without distractions settles people like little else does. The wellness aspect is integral to the venue's DNA, not an afterthought.
Personal Experience
Upon entering, guests are greeted with aromatics and mushroom tea, and a noticeable drop in noise. The author, suffering from vertigo, found relief through a soundbath and guided meditation, which alleviated symptoms for hours—something medicine couldn't achieve.
The Journey to Spatial Audio
Elliott and co-founder Adam Nicholas, a DJ and musician, bonded over a puritanical attitude towards audio. Elliott noticed that concerts and listening sessions were diluted by phones, ambient noise, and distractions. He believed that spatial audio had advanced dramatically, but most audiences had never experienced it at its best.
Spatial Audio in 2026
Now, spatial audio is gaining traction. Elliott notes that playback infrastructure exists, the music catalogue is growing, and listeners encounter it through headphones and home systems. Culturally, people are seeking inward experiences due to collective fatigue from information overload, the pandemic, and digital life. Using controlled, crisp sound to counter noise pollution may seem paradoxical, but it could be the solution.
