Contribution
Investigation of the mutual importance of sound systems and room acoustics using methods of virtual acoustics
* Presenting author
Abstract:
A lot of research has been conducted on the room acoustics of classical concert halls where music is often presented without the help of an electroacoustic sound reinforcement system and within highly optimized conditions. Less research can be found on venues for popular music where large-scale sound reinforcement systems are often confronted with venues that suit this purpose to a much lesser degree. A cornerstone survey on these types of venues has been conducted by Adelmann-Larsen in the 2000s and 2010s. Following Adelmann-Larsen and to shed more light into this field of interest we used a hybrid approach to sound field simulation, and binaural auralization. Using a state-of-the-art room acoustic simulation program, we re-modelled a typical existing rock/pop venue and varied the four factors a) room acoustic quality, b) sound system quality, c) stimulus type, and d) audience seat in a systemic way. Listening test stimuli were created by convolution of selected audio files with simulated binaural room impulse responses. These stimuli were then administered in a repeated-measures, multivariate, and multifactorial listening test design to 17 subjects. Results were analyzed by means of thorough descriptive and inferential statistic (ANOVA). Our findings are clear and - in this - somewhat surprising.