Effect of sound strength and IACC on perception of listener envelopment in concert halls

Abstract

The effects of sound strength (G) on perceived listener envelopment (LEV) at audience positions were investigated in different concert halls. The impulse responses were measured in the halls with different size. Anechoic violin sound was convolved with the impulse responses and the sound pressure level (SPL) was varied from 68.0 to 75.5 dBA in 1.5 dB step. A total of 18 sound stimuli with different interaural cross correlation (IACC) values of 0.13, 0.37, and 0.57 were provided for auditory tests. Results of subjective experiments indicated that LEV was not realized when SPL was less than around 70dBA even though IACC was 0.13. This means that the effect of IACC on LEV perception could be relatively small when the SPL is not large enough.