Frequency response of headphones measured in free field and diffuse field by loudness comparison

Loudness comparisons were performed by four subjects, under two experimental conditions: free field (anechoic room) and diffuse field (reverberation room). Each subject adjusted the headphone level of critical band noise bursts until they were equally loud as those from a reference loudspeaker (70dB...

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Published inJournal of the Acoustical Society of Japan (E) Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 131 - 138
Main Authors Hirahara, Tatsuya, Ueda, Kazuo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Tokyo Acoustical Society of Japan 1991
Subjects
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ISSN0388-2861
2185-3509
DOI10.1250/ast.12.131

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Abstract Loudness comparisons were performed by four subjects, under two experimental conditions: free field (anechoic room) and diffuse field (reverberation room). Each subject adjusted the headphone level of critical band noise bursts until they were equally loud as those from a reference loudspeaker (70dB SPL). Measurement scatter was smaller in the diffuse field than in the free field. To examine the reliability of loudness judg mentsat high frequencies, another method-hearing thresholds by Bekesy tracking-was employed. Each subject's threshold was measured with both loudspeakers and head phones.After compensation was made for the loudspeaker and room transfer functions, headphone frequency response was extrapolated from the results. This method led to high-frequency responses similar to those from loudness comparison. A loudness comparison experiment in which the subjects continuously wore a headphone was performed. However, the method of sound pressure loss measurement should be reconsidered.
AbstractList Loudness comparisons were performed by four subjects, under two experimental conditions: free field (anechoic room) and diffuse field (reverberation room). Each subject adjusted the headphone level of critical band noise bursts until they were equally loud as those from a reference loudspeaker (70dB SPL). Measurement scatter was smaller in the diffuse field than in the free field. To examine the reliability of loudness judg mentsat high frequencies, another method-hearing thresholds by Bekesy tracking-was employed. Each subject's threshold was measured with both loudspeakers and head phones.After compensation was made for the loudspeaker and room transfer functions, headphone frequency response was extrapolated from the results. This method led to high-frequency responses similar to those from loudness comparison. A loudness comparison experiment in which the subjects continuously wore a headphone was performed. However, the method of sound pressure loss measurement should be reconsidered.
Author Hirahara, Tatsuya
Ueda, Kazuo
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Keywords Measurement
Free field
Diffuse field
Perception threshold
Sound intensity
Frequency response
Headphone
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References 30) E. Zwicker and E. Terhardt, “Analytical expressions for critical-band rate and critical bandwidth as a function of frequency,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 68, 1523-1525 (1980).
20) H. Fastl, and H. Fleischer, “Freifeldithertragungs masseverschiedener elektrodynamischer and elektrostatischer Kopfhörer,” Acustica 39,182-187 (1978).
13) E. Villchur, “Free-field calibration of earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 46, 1527-1534 (1969).
9) H. Miura, K. Muto, M. Minakawa, T. Fujimori, and H. Kado, “On the calibration of headphones for commercial use by IEC artificial ear and coupler; The second report,” Tech. Rep. Electr. Acoust. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. EA-83-22 (1983)(in Japanese).
3) H. Fastl, S. Namba, and S. Kuwano, “Freefield response of the headphone Yamaha HP 1000 and its application in the Japanese round robin test on impulsive sound,” Acustica 58,183-185 (1985).
24) J. Zwislocki, B. Kruger, H. D. Miller, A. F. Niemoeller, E. A. Shaw, and G. Studebaker, “Earphones in audiometry,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 83, 1688-4689 (1988).
11) K. Okabe, H. Hamada, and T. Miura, “Sysetm for simulated in situ measurement of hearing aids,” J. Acoust. Soc. Jpn.(E) 5, 95-103 (1984).
5) K. Ueda and T. Hirahara, “Headphones as psychoacoustical experiment apparatus: Frequency responseand impulse response,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-90-5 (1990)(in Japanese).
26) J. C. K. Chan and C. D. Geisler, “Estimation of eardrum acoustic pressure and of ear canal length from remote points in the canal,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, 1237-1247 (1990).
15) R. M. Cox, “NBS-9A coupler-to-eardrum transformation: TDH-39 and TDH-49 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 79,120-123 (1986).
16) H. Fastl, W. Schmid, G. Theile, and E. Zwicker, “Schallpegel im Gehörgang für gleichlaute Schalle aus Kopfhörern oder Lautsprechern,” Proc. DAGA '85 (VDE-Verlag, Berlin, 1985), pp.475-478.
25) von J. Schröter, G. Spikofski, and G. Theile, “Messung des Diffusfeldubertragungsmasses von Kopfhörern am Kunstkopf,” Acustica 60,105-116 (1986).
23) K. Ueda and T. Hirahara, “Measuring frequency response of a headphone: Free field and diffuse field response with a loudness comparison method,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-89-38 (1989)(in Japanese).
18) G. Theile, “On the standardization of the frequency response of high-quality studio head phones,” J. Audio Eng. Soc. 34,956-969 (1986).
21) H. Fastl and E. Zwicker, “A free-field equalizer for TDH 39 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 73,312-314 (1983).
von J. Schröter and H. Els, “On basic research towards an improved artificial head for measurement of hearing protectors,” Acustica 51,302 (1982).
14) E. Villchur, “Audiometer-earphone mounting to improve intersubject and cushion-fit reliability,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 48, 1387-1396 (1970).
2) H. Fastl, “Measuring hearing thresholds with audiometer headphones,” J. Audiol. Tech. 18, 92-98 (1979).
22) H. Miura, K. Muto, T. Takahashi, and H. Kado, “Calibration of headphones by the method of free fieldcomparison,” Tech. Rep. Electr. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. EA85-2 (1985)(in Japanese).
31) Y. Tohkura, “Introduction to the ATR new laboratories in the Kansai Science City,” J. Acoust. Soc. Jpn.(J) 45,493-494 (1989)(in Japanese).
7) M. D. Burkhard and E. L. R. Corliss, “The response of earphones in ears and couplers,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 26,679-685 (1954).
19) E. Zwicker and D. Maiwald, “Uber das Freifeldübertragungsmassdes Kopfhörers DT 48,” Acustica 13,181-182 (1963).
28) M. C. Killion, E. H. Berger, and R. A. Nuss, “Diffuse field response of the ear,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 81, Suppl. 1,575-HH4 (1987).
34) G. Spikofski, “The diffuse-field probe transfer function of studio-quality headphones,” EBU Rev. Tech. No.229, 1-16 (1988).
6) T. Hirahara and K. Ueda, “Investigation of head phonessuitable for psychoacoustical experiments,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, Suppl. 1, S142 (1990).
1) H. Fastl, “Comparison of DT 48, TDH 49, and TDH 39 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66,702-703 (1979).
27) M. R. Stinson and E. A. G. Shaw, “Wave effects and pressure distribution in the human ear canal,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 73, Suppl. 1, S59-60 (1983).
32) C. Milner, “Measurement of reverberation time in the variable reverberation time room,” ATR Tech. Rep. TR-A-0076 (1990).
10) von J. Schröter and H. Els, “On basic research towards an improved artificial head for measurement of hearing protectors,” Acustica 50,250-260.
17) H. Fastl, “Gibt es den Frequenzgang von Kopfhörern?” in NTG-Fachberichte 7 (VDE-Verlag, Berlin, 1986), pp.274-281.
8) H. Miura, K. Muto, and T. Fujimori, “On a calibration of headphones by the IEC artificial ear mounted on an artificial head,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-82-52 (1982)(in Japanese).
33) W. Rudmose, “The case of missing 6 dB,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 71,650-659 (1982).
12) E. A. G. Shaw, “Earcanal pressure generated by circumaural and supraaural earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 39,471-479 (1966).
35) J. Schroeter and C. Poesselt, “The use of acoustical test fixtures for the measurement of hearing protector attenuation. Part II: Modeling the external ear, simulating bone conduction, and comparing test fixture and real-ear data,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 80,505-527 (1986).
29) S. Buus, M. Florentine, and C. R. Mason, “Tuning curves at high frequencies and their relation to the absolute threshold curve,” in Auditory Frequency Selectivity, B. C. J. Moore and R. D. Patterson, Eds.(Plenum Press, New York, 1986), pp.341-350.
4) H. Fastl and E. Schorer, “Critical bandwidth at low frequencies reconsidered,” in Auditory Frequency Selectivity, B. C. J. Moore and R. D. Patterson, Eds.(Plenum Press, New York, 1986), pp.311-322.
References_xml – reference: 3) H. Fastl, S. Namba, and S. Kuwano, “Freefield response of the headphone Yamaha HP 1000 and its application in the Japanese round robin test on impulsive sound,” Acustica 58,183-185 (1985).
– reference: 11) K. Okabe, H. Hamada, and T. Miura, “Sysetm for simulated in situ measurement of hearing aids,” J. Acoust. Soc. Jpn.(E) 5, 95-103 (1984).
– reference: 19) E. Zwicker and D. Maiwald, “Uber das Freifeldübertragungsmassdes Kopfhörers DT 48,” Acustica 13,181-182 (1963).
– reference: 6) T. Hirahara and K. Ueda, “Investigation of head phonessuitable for psychoacoustical experiments,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, Suppl. 1, S142 (1990).
– reference: 20) H. Fastl, and H. Fleischer, “Freifeldithertragungs masseverschiedener elektrodynamischer and elektrostatischer Kopfhörer,” Acustica 39,182-187 (1978).
– reference: 28) M. C. Killion, E. H. Berger, and R. A. Nuss, “Diffuse field response of the ear,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 81, Suppl. 1,575-HH4 (1987).
– reference: 9) H. Miura, K. Muto, M. Minakawa, T. Fujimori, and H. Kado, “On the calibration of headphones for commercial use by IEC artificial ear and coupler; The second report,” Tech. Rep. Electr. Acoust. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. EA-83-22 (1983)(in Japanese).
– reference: von J. Schröter and H. Els, “On basic research towards an improved artificial head for measurement of hearing protectors,” Acustica 51,302 (1982).
– reference: 18) G. Theile, “On the standardization of the frequency response of high-quality studio head phones,” J. Audio Eng. Soc. 34,956-969 (1986).
– reference: 31) Y. Tohkura, “Introduction to the ATR new laboratories in the Kansai Science City,” J. Acoust. Soc. Jpn.(J) 45,493-494 (1989)(in Japanese).
– reference: 4) H. Fastl and E. Schorer, “Critical bandwidth at low frequencies reconsidered,” in Auditory Frequency Selectivity, B. C. J. Moore and R. D. Patterson, Eds.(Plenum Press, New York, 1986), pp.311-322.
– reference: 12) E. A. G. Shaw, “Earcanal pressure generated by circumaural and supraaural earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 39,471-479 (1966).
– reference: 29) S. Buus, M. Florentine, and C. R. Mason, “Tuning curves at high frequencies and their relation to the absolute threshold curve,” in Auditory Frequency Selectivity, B. C. J. Moore and R. D. Patterson, Eds.(Plenum Press, New York, 1986), pp.341-350.
– reference: 1) H. Fastl, “Comparison of DT 48, TDH 49, and TDH 39 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66,702-703 (1979).
– reference: 27) M. R. Stinson and E. A. G. Shaw, “Wave effects and pressure distribution in the human ear canal,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 73, Suppl. 1, S59-60 (1983).
– reference: 2) H. Fastl, “Measuring hearing thresholds with audiometer headphones,” J. Audiol. Tech. 18, 92-98 (1979).
– reference: 14) E. Villchur, “Audiometer-earphone mounting to improve intersubject and cushion-fit reliability,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 48, 1387-1396 (1970).
– reference: 17) H. Fastl, “Gibt es den Frequenzgang von Kopfhörern?” in NTG-Fachberichte 7 (VDE-Verlag, Berlin, 1986), pp.274-281.
– reference: 15) R. M. Cox, “NBS-9A coupler-to-eardrum transformation: TDH-39 and TDH-49 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 79,120-123 (1986).
– reference: 5) K. Ueda and T. Hirahara, “Headphones as psychoacoustical experiment apparatus: Frequency responseand impulse response,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-90-5 (1990)(in Japanese).
– reference: 7) M. D. Burkhard and E. L. R. Corliss, “The response of earphones in ears and couplers,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 26,679-685 (1954).
– reference: 13) E. Villchur, “Free-field calibration of earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 46, 1527-1534 (1969).
– reference: 8) H. Miura, K. Muto, and T. Fujimori, “On a calibration of headphones by the IEC artificial ear mounted on an artificial head,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-82-52 (1982)(in Japanese).
– reference: 23) K. Ueda and T. Hirahara, “Measuring frequency response of a headphone: Free field and diffuse field response with a loudness comparison method,” Tech. Rep. Hear. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. H-89-38 (1989)(in Japanese).
– reference: 25) von J. Schröter, G. Spikofski, and G. Theile, “Messung des Diffusfeldubertragungsmasses von Kopfhörern am Kunstkopf,” Acustica 60,105-116 (1986).
– reference: 33) W. Rudmose, “The case of missing 6 dB,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 71,650-659 (1982).
– reference: 24) J. Zwislocki, B. Kruger, H. D. Miller, A. F. Niemoeller, E. A. Shaw, and G. Studebaker, “Earphones in audiometry,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 83, 1688-4689 (1988).
– reference: 26) J. C. K. Chan and C. D. Geisler, “Estimation of eardrum acoustic pressure and of ear canal length from remote points in the canal,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, 1237-1247 (1990).
– reference: 30) E. Zwicker and E. Terhardt, “Analytical expressions for critical-band rate and critical bandwidth as a function of frequency,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 68, 1523-1525 (1980).
– reference: 10) von J. Schröter and H. Els, “On basic research towards an improved artificial head for measurement of hearing protectors,” Acustica 50,250-260.
– reference: 21) H. Fastl and E. Zwicker, “A free-field equalizer for TDH 39 earphones,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 73,312-314 (1983).
– reference: 35) J. Schroeter and C. Poesselt, “The use of acoustical test fixtures for the measurement of hearing protector attenuation. Part II: Modeling the external ear, simulating bone conduction, and comparing test fixture and real-ear data,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 80,505-527 (1986).
– reference: 22) H. Miura, K. Muto, T. Takahashi, and H. Kado, “Calibration of headphones by the method of free fieldcomparison,” Tech. Rep. Electr. Acoust. Soc. Jpn. EA85-2 (1985)(in Japanese).
– reference: 34) G. Spikofski, “The diffuse-field probe transfer function of studio-quality headphones,” EBU Rev. Tech. No.229, 1-16 (1988).
– reference: 16) H. Fastl, W. Schmid, G. Theile, and E. Zwicker, “Schallpegel im Gehörgang für gleichlaute Schalle aus Kopfhörern oder Lautsprechern,” Proc. DAGA '85 (VDE-Verlag, Berlin, 1985), pp.475-478.
– reference: 32) C. Milner, “Measurement of reverberation time in the variable reverberation time room,” ATR Tech. Rep. TR-A-0076 (1990).
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SubjectTerms Acoustical measurements and instrumentation
Acoustics
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Headphone
Hearing threshold
Loudness comparison
Physics
Real-ear frequency response
Title Frequency response of headphones measured in free field and diffuse field by loudness comparison
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