Speech and solo instruments reveal loudspeaker flaws least, dense broadband music most

Evidence

The nature of the program material is a significant factor. Büchlein (1962), Toole and Olive (1988) and Olive (1994) found simple sounds, solo vocal and instrumental recordings to be the least revealing of differences between loudspeakers. Although film and broadcast people place great importance on voices, for good reason, they happen to be among the sounds that are least revealing of imperfections in sound reproducing systems. High speech intelligibility is possible through systems that are significantly flawed when judged from a timbre/sound quality perspective. Many audiophile demonstrations use uncomplicated recordings of solo voices or instruments with simple accompaniments. They sound good, eliciting flattering comments, possibly because they are not revealing resonances in the loudspeakers being demonstrated. The most useful recordings have broadband, dense spectra as appear in recordings with high production values, some reverberation and complex orchestrations. 134. Pink noise is the most revealing signal. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 496

Categorization

• SEED: Material for an article on how to actually audition loudspeakers in stores — why the demo track matters as much as the speaker.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in practical psychoacoustic application — choosing test signals that stress a system’s weak points.