Weighting-curve blind spots create incentive to over-boost bass
Evidence
Because the measure responds mainly to high-frequency sounds, it is not surprising that mixers repurposing soundtracks for trailers end up liberally boosting the bass because it does not show up in the measurement. Success is evaluated by the level of audience complaints, which guides the decision of what level is acceptable. I know of no scientifically conducted verification of the method. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1581
Categorization
- CANDY: A pithy example of gaming a metric: trailer mixers boost bass because their annoyance metric is blind to low frequencies.
- XREF: Connects to the law of unintended consequences in measurement design, like Milgrom on how institutions reshape behavior around metrics. — connects to: Listeners prefer excessive, even colored bass over deficient bass; Small bass-level changes strongly alter perceived spectral balance; The Harman target satisfies most listeners but bass preferences split by age and gender (+2 more)
Related
- Listeners prefer excessive, even colored bass over deficient bass (similarity 0.91)
- The Harman target satisfies most listeners but bass preferences split by age and gender (similarity 0.82)
- Consumers prefer boosted bass, a forgivable audible sin (similarity 0.81)
- Small bass-level changes strongly alter perceived spectral balance (similarity 0.79)
- Bass level errors cause perceived treble excess and vice versa (similarity 0.79)
- Bass accounts for roughly 30 percent of perceived sound quality (similarity 0.79)
- A-weighting can miss dominant low-frequency energy in broadband sounds (similarity 0.78)
- Low-frequency performance drives roughly 30 percent of sound quality ratings (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- A-weighting can miss dominant low-frequency energy in broadband sounds
#corroborates(0.85) - Turning down volume suppresses perceived bass and treble relative to midrange
#complicates(0.80) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 626