Psychoacoustic data are collected listener opinions, whereas acoustic data are physical measurements.

Evidence

When carrying out a psychoacoustic test, it is important to note that the responses will be from the opinions of listeners; that is, they will be subjective, whereas an objective test involves a direct physical measurement such as dB SPL, Hz or spectral components. There is no right answer to a subjective test since it is the opinion of a particular listener, and each listener will have an opinion that is unique; the process of psychoacoustic testing is to collect these listener opinions in a nonjudgmental manner. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2377

Categorization

• DEFINE: Draws the core subjective/objective distinction that separates psychoacoustics from physical acoustics.