This paper outlines an investigation into the effects of loudspeaker location on the frequency dependency of loudness perception. The study aims to define a preliminary set of equal loudness levels for a 7.1.4 multichannel loudspeaker layout. Listening tests were conducted using a binaural synthesis of band-passed pink noise signals with head-related impulse responses of the speaker positions. The current results show that there do appear to be differences in loudness perception depending on the position of a sound source. They suggest that humans are not more sensitive at 4000Hz, than at 1000Hz, for loudspeakers at 90° and 135°. This is a new finding which is not present in the current standards for Equal Loudness Contours (ELCs) and hearing threshold models. Limitations of the testing method and the potential for further research are also discussed.

Authors: Dickinson, Samuel; Lee, Hyunkook
Affiliations: Applied Psychoacoustics Lab (APL), University of Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK; Applied Psychoacoustics Lab (APL), University of Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Conference: AES 2023 International Conference on Spatial and Immersive Audio (August 2023)
Paper Number: 43
Publication Date: August 23, 2023
Subject: Paper

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