Continuous signals flatten reflection detection thresholds while transient signals steepen them
Evidence
The result is that increasing “continuity” produces the kind of progressive flattening seen in Figures 6.7 and 6.10. The perceptual effect is similar if the “continuity” or “prolongation” is due to variations in the structure of the signal itself, or due to reflective repetitions added in the listening environment. In any event, pink noise generated an almost horizontal flat line, Mozart was only slightly different over the 80 ms delay range examined, speech produced a moderate tilt, castanets (clicks) with some recorded reverberation were even more tilted, and isolated clicks generated a very compact, steeply tilted threshold curve. Clicks showed detection of reflections at −50 dB at 30 ms delay, compared to −30 dB for castanets, and about −20 dB for speech, Mozart and pink noise. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 639
Categorization
Category: Factual Claims
- DEFINE: Clarifies the continuum of signal ‘continuity/prolongation’ and its systematic effect on threshold slopes, a key perceptual variable.
- XREF: Connects to earlier chapter material on how program material content (speech vs music) shifts threshold-shape in listening rooms; broadens the psychoacoustic model.
Related
- Detecting reflected sound depends heavily on the continuity of the source signal (similarity 0.90)
- Musical note duration flattens reflection thresholds much like room reverberation does (similarity 0.84)
Broader Connections
- Exponential change-time distributions prevent timing strategies in detection tasks
#complicates(0.72) — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 3305