Perceived spectral balance matches on-axis response more than sound power or room curve

Evidence

Figure 11.2 shows a revealing comparison of three loudspeakers chosen because of their ratings in Figure 11.1. The subjectively “drawn” spectrum curves are obviously best matched to the on-axis and listening window frequency responses of the loudspeakers, thus confirming the observation noted from the earliest tests shown in Figure 2.4, that a good axial amplitude response, delivering the direct sound to listeners, appears to be a requirement for good sound. Beyond that, attention must be given to off-axis behavior. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1218

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the direct-vs-reverberant precedence debate and to Olive’s finding that on-axis flatness is a perceptual requirement.