First-arriving direct sound dominates localization and loudspeaker images are built from mono and double-mono

Evidence

Rooms produce a complex acoustic field that consists of a direct path of sound from the source to the ear and multiple reflected paths because sound is reflected from surfaces and objects. These multiple sound paths produce a great deal of noise in the acoustic signal, yet we normally do not notice these sound reflections nor do they drastically affect our judgments of sound location. Wallach, Newman, and Rosenzweig (1949), who coined the term the precedence effect, demonstrated that sound localization is based on the acoustic cues associated with the sound that arrives first at the ears. That the reflections do not alter the perceived sound location of the source implies that the first arriving sound takes precedence over the reflections of that sound in determining its location. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1564 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

The first sound to arrive at the listening location, the direct sound, defines the localization of sound images, initiates the precedence effect that permits localization in reflective spaces, and provides an initial reference for comparison to later arriving sounds that, combined, result in perceptions of both spatial effects and sound quality. … From the very beginning of my subjective/objective examinations, listeners were unambiguously attracted to loudspeakers with flat and smooth anechoic on-axis (direct sound) performance. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1546 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Delayed loudspeakers preserve direct-sound localization in public venues.; Direct sound determines localization, loudness, and perceived spectrum quality — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1546; Stereo presentation masks audible differences between loudspeakers found in mono. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 443 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• The first arriving sound wave dominates perceived localization regardless of level #corroborates (0.95) — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1564
• The first-arriving direct sound perceptually dominates despite carrying less energy #corroborates (0.95)
• Direct sound determines localization, loudness, and perceived spectrum quality #corroborates (0.90) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1546
• Stereo loudspeakers create directional illusion through summed phase shifts mimicking time delays #expands (0.85) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 1911
• Mono reproduction exaggerates recording-room coloration that stereo cancels #contradicts (0.75) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 1832
• Stereo presentation masks audible differences between loudspeakers found in mono. #contradicts (0.72) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 443