The Design of Automotive Acoustic Environments: Using Subjective Methods to Improve Engine Sound Quality

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman C. Otto ◽  
Gregory H. Wakefield
Keyword(s):  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Vehicle Design ◽  
Customer Perception ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Sensory Environment ◽  
Engine Design ◽  
Acoustic Environments

The sensory environment of the vehicle is an area where customer expectations have greatly increased in recent years. For example, sound quality has become a very important factor in determining customer perception of vehicle quality and value. In this paper, a method for evaluating sound quality is presented and used in an engine design application. As part of the design of a future midsize vehicle, 14 engine component modifications were being considered as ways to improve sound quality. A subjective evaluation was carried out to determine if these modifications had any effect on perceived sound quality and, if so, which modifications provided the greatest sound quality benefit. A paired comparison method was used in which subjects judged, first, similarity and, then, preference. The similarity results showed that the vehicle sounds were indeed perceived quite differently. Additional analysis, using multidimensional scaling, revealed that most of these differences could be attributed to just three of the modifications (lightweight valvetrain, crankshaft counterweight, and accessory drive). The preference results confirmed that these three components also governed the valuative judgements. As a result of this study, these modified components were included in the final vehicle design. More generally, the subjective evaluation and analysis procedure described here offers a means for bringing human factors into the design of automotive acoustic environments.

Research on Subjective and Objective Evaluation of Car Interior Sound Quality

2013 ◽  
Vol 455 ◽  
pp. 193-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Zhuang ◽  
Yan Yan Zuo
Keyword(s):  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Analysis Software ◽  
Audio Recorder

This experiment collected sound signals of four different cars driving at different speeds on highway and replayed the noise samples with playback software HEAD Audio Recorder. The subjective evaluation tests were carried out with paired comparison method. Evaluating models between subjective evaluation and objective psychoacoustic parameters were established with SPSS analysis software.

Subjective Analysis and Objective Evaluation of Vehicle Sound Quality

2013 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 674-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Yan Zuo ◽  
Shuai Li Zhou ◽  
Wen Feng Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Constant Velocity ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Acoustical Parameters ◽  
Vehicle Interior ◽  
Subjective Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Test

The interior noise samples from four cars at different positions and different speeds were selected as the evaluation objects. The subjective evaluation test of sound quality preference was carried out with paired comparison method. Several objective psycho-acoustical parameters of these samples were calculated. By way of linear correlation and multi-dimensional regression analysis, an equation between the subjective evaluation of noise preference and the objective psycho-acoustical parameters was established. The results indicate that the vehicle interior sound quality preference under the good highway and the constant-velocity driving conditions is affected mainly by two psycho-acoustical parameters Loudness and Sharpness.

Sound Quality Design as an Issue of Interactive Context

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Corporate Identity ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Experimental Instruction ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Quality Design ◽  
Acoustic Environments ◽  
Subjective Importance

When sound quality has to be evaluated a number of difficulties arise. Although there are various attempts of evaluating it, there is no definitive approach which covers the diverse requirements with respect to subjective importance. Since the subjective evaluation will be influenced by different modifiers, the methods in question have to be adapted necessarily to the various objectives that are related to certain subjective as well as to physical, psycho-acoustic, and socio-acoustic variables. The evaluation of the perception of acoustic environments needs an interactive, integrating, transdisciplinary concept. What will to be discussed up front are contextual interdependencies, socio-acoustic, and psychological methods, the significance of the modifiers within the guided decision-making process as well as the importance of sensorial modifiers as they make up the foundation of the research process. In many studies focusing on sound quality the observation of context in general becomes an issue if the experimental setup or the instruction or even the respective stages of the experiment are regarded as contextual, i.e. sound evaluation or the evaluation of product-related sound quality always implies evaluation of lifestyles depending upon acceptance and therefore intimately related to the daily routine of the tested individual. evaluations of sounds are highly sensitive contextually, but at present there is no usage-oriented experimental instruction which sufficiently defines the contextual rapport within a given sound evaluation setup. the concept of sound quality evaluation needs to be broadened to integrate a subjective and psycho-social approach. a concept and procedure will be introduced for benchmarking and target sound development in context to appropriately evaluate the sound of the corporate identity introduction

scholarly journals Multidimensional Psychological Evaluation of Air Conditioner Sounds and Prediction via Correlation Parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiharu Soeta ◽  
Ei Onogawa
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Subjective Response ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Air Conditioners ◽  
Correlation Parameters

Air conditioners are regarded as a major source of noise in built environments. Although noise control technology has reduced the sound produced by air conditioners to a comparatively low level, some people may still feel that certain aspects of the sound quality lead to discomfort. Indeed, both the sound level and the sound quality of an air conditioner can affect user’s acoustic comfort. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that significantly influence the subjective response to the sound of air conditioners. We assessed the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) and factors extracted from the autocorrelation function (ACF) and interaural cross-correlation (IACF). Subjective loudness, sharpness, and annoyance were evaluated using a paired comparison method. Multiple regression analyses were performed using a linear combination of LAeq, the ACF factors, IACF factors, and assessment of their standard deviations. The multiple regression analyses indicated that LAeq, the delay time of the first maximum peak, the width of the first decay of the ACF, and the magnitude and width of the IACF could predict subjective responses to air conditioner sounds.

Study of Vehicle Interior Annoyance Based on Different Exhaust Configurations

2010 ◽  
Vol 44-47 ◽  
pp. 2742-2746
Author(s):  
Chang Jin ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Yan Fang Hou
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vehicle Interior ◽  
Evaluation Data ◽  
Binaural Sound

Five different exhaust configurations were installed on the vehicle respectively and binaural sound signals at rear left passenger under ten operating conditions were recorded as subjective evaluation samples. Paired comparison method was introduced to subjectively evaluate the annoyance of these sound signals. Evaluation data was studied using Ranking-based and Bradley-Terry model fitting approach respectively and the correlation analysis showed excellent consistency between them. Accordingly interior subjective annoyance of different exhaust configurations was obtained and the best one was identified.

Perceptual Difference on HVAC Sound Quality between Electric and Conventional Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (2) ◽  
pp. 4189-4198
Author(s):  
Katsuya Yamauchi ◽  
Minori Dan ◽  
Federico Cioffi ◽  
Luigi Maffei ◽  
Massimiliano Masullo
Keyword(s):  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Hvac System ◽  
Air Flow Rate ◽  
Vehicle Noise ◽  
The Difference

The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the most critical sources in in-vehicle noise environment, especially when cars are moving at low speed or at lower engine rotation. With the transition to electric vehicles (EV) from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV), the contribution of powertrain becomes lower on the background noise inside car cabins. The authors have been conducting a collaborative research on HVAC sound quality inside car cabins. In this paper the results of a subjective evaluation of HVAC sound quality were presented, that attempted to compare the perceptual differences among the two groups, i.e. EVs and ICEVs. The result revealed the difference in the noise perception among the two types of vehicles especially softer air flow rate conditions.

Sound Quality of Aircraft Cabin for VIP and Business Jets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurkan Turkdogru Gurun ◽  
Hemang N. Sheth
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Semantic Differential ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Subjective Test ◽  
Aircraft Cabin ◽  
Listening Tests ◽  
Potential Customers

This paper aims to identify the attributes that describe aircraft interior noise, determine most important psychoacoustic models that characterize cabin sounds, and construct a prediction model that can be utilized for VIP and business jets to evaluate subjective perception. In the first part, paired comparison listening tests and free verbalization are conducted with expert subjects who experienced VIP and business aircraft flight. The study generated a list of adjective pairs that describe perception of cabin sounds to be used for semantic differential listening tests. Multi-dimensional scaling is performed on paired comparison data. Results showed that subjects’ decisions can be categorized in loudness and annoyance dimensions which are not necessarily linearly associated. The second part of the study is the development of a sound quality prediction model for aircraft cabin. Semantic differential tests are conducted with potential customers. Objective sound quality metrics are correlated to subjective test responses using principal components regression. This model is found to be most effective explaining pleasantness, comfort, and loudness perception. It is intended to be utilized to modify/redesign noise control treatments and sound signature of an aircraft. All listening tests were conducted inside an aircraft cabin simulator considering the influence of visual content.

scholarly journals Subjective Experience of Speech Depending on the Acoustic Treatment in an Ordinary Room

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12274
Author(s):  
Emma Arvidsson ◽  
Erling Nilsson ◽  
Delphine Bard-Hagberg ◽  
Ola J. I. Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Reverberation Time ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Acoustic Environments ◽  
The Right ◽  
Acoustic Treatment ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Speech Clarity

In environments such as classrooms and offices, complex tasks are performed. A satisfactory acoustic environment is critical for the performance of such tasks. To ensure a good acoustic environment, the right acoustic treatment must be used. The relation between different room acoustic treatments and how they affect speech perception in these types of rooms is not yet fully understood. In this study, speech perception was evaluated for three different configurations using absorbers and diffusers. Twenty-nine participants reported on their subjective experience of speech in respect of different configurations in different positions in a room. They judged sound quality and attributes related to speech perception. In addition, the jury members ranked the different acoustic environments. The subjective experience was related to the different room acoustic treatments and the room acoustic parameters of speech clarity, reverberation time and sound strength. It was found that people, on average, rated treatments with a high degree of absorption as best. This configuration had the highest speech clarity value and lowest values for reverberation time and sound strength. The perceived sound quality could be correlated to speech clarity, while attributes related to speech perception had the strongest association with reverberation time.

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