Subjective Assessment of Roughness as a Basis for Objective Vehicle Interior Noise Quality Evaluation

Martin Pflueger and Robert Hoeldrich

Institute of Applied Systems Technology, Joanneum Research Forschungs-GmbH, Graz, AUSTRIA

Franz Brandl, Werner Biermayer

This paper focuses on psychoacoustical experiments for the assessment of roughness by using vehicle interior noise. The experimental design has to be carried out carefully to derive reliable data for further analysis with objective parameters. Apart from the acoustical properties of the recording/playback system the different meanings of the word roughness have to be taken into account, because each person has its own interpretation of 'roughness' differing between the phenomenons of roughness, r-roughness, rumble, harshness, fluctuation strength, etc.. An important preparation for psychoacoustical experiments is a clear definition of the sound attribute under investigation by using typical examples. Furthermore, accidental influences of other psychoacoustical parameters like the influence of loudness have to be avoided.

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