16 Dec 2009

Evaluation Form for Auditory Scene Optimization

The previous auditory scene (AS) testing used what was believed to be the best conditions for reproducing a plausible AS. Now, we wish to see if we can improve upon the source material, playback room, speakers and placement. On the other hand we may find that certain parameters have little effect on creating a plausible AS illusion.

This test asks you to rate qualities of the AS for different playback setups. The first question asks if the basic requirements for an AS illusion are met. These are: speakers disappear as sources of sound, local acoustics suppressed, phantom images between and behind the speakers. The next questions ask you to listen to aspects of the AS that further determine its quality. You are asked to compare each issue to the reproduction by a high-quality reference. This reference will not change and you are asked to rate the configuration under test on a -5 to +5 scale compared to the reference.

Written comments are encouraged.

1. Basic AS requirements -5 0 5

Speakers disappear.

Dereverberation

Phantom images

AS Lacking Equals reference Equals Live

2. Cocktail Party Effect -5 0 5

Ability to follow different

strings at will

Poor Equal Superior

3. Close phantom Image -5 0 5

Soloist “in your face when

the recording calls for it

Distant Equal Closer

4. Distant phantom image -5 0 5

Most recordings intend some

Images to be distant

Closer Equal Distant

5. Ambience -5 0 5

Should be non-localizable and

surrounding

Poor Equal Superior

6. Freedom of movement -5 0 5

Listener can rotate head

or move sideways

Lock to centerline Equal Full