Difference Limen for level of music

Davies, WJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5835-7489 2001, Difference Limen for level of music , in: 17th International Congress on Acoustics, 2-8 September 2001, Rome.

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Abstract

A psychoacoustic experiment has been conducted to determine the difference limen (DL) of the level of music reproduced in a listening room. The effects of three factors on the DL were measured using up to twelve trained subjects. The factors were music motif (Mozart, Elgar, Smashing Pumpkins), listening level (50, 60, 65, 70, 80 dB, A-weighted Leq) and dynamic range. It was hypothesised that the DL would reduce with reduced dynamic range or increased listening level. However, both hypotheses are rejected: listening level was the only significant factor, with a mid-range level of 65 dB giving the lowest mean DL of 1.5 dB. This rises to a mean DL of 2.1 dB at listening levels of 70 and 80 dB. These figures are larger than has previously been assumed and are about the same size as the spatial standard deviation in strength across classical concert halls. The results should be of use to designers of concert halls, recording studios and other spaces for critical listening to music.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Themes:	Built and Human Environment
Schools:	Schools > School of Computing, Science and Engineering Schools > School of Computing, Science and Engineering > Salford Innovation Research Centre
Refereed:	Yes
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	W. J. Davies
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2012 14:18
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 08:47
References:	1. Luce, R.D. and Green, D.W., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 56, 1554-1564 (1974). 2. Barron, M., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 98, 2580-2589 (1995 ). 3. Taylor, M.M. et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 74, 1367-1374 (1983 ). 4. Bradley, J.S., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 89, 1176-1192 (1991).
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/2443

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