Phenyl has the same effect on sound, almost to the point of making you a little jumpy. I've dabbled in many noots and racetams and it is the only one I have found that had the effect that it does on sensory perception. It's been theorized that this has to do with the way that it communicates with the neural pathways and essentially hijacks the left-right brain communication, causing creativity to cease. This seems to increase the focus and awareness dramatically, though. Likely causing the feeling that everything is very bright, loud, crisp, and intense.
Which, if you have ever tried to study on phenyl, you'd see that it is definitely not what you want. You want to be hiking, running, or just being out and about enjoying things.