A critical analysis of loudness calculation methods

Authors

  • Jeff Defoe Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada
  • Colin Novak Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada
  • Helen Ule Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada

Keywords:

Computer software, Data acquisition, Standards, Sound level meter (SLM), Visual Basic

Abstract

The physical meaning and calculation procedures for determining loudness was critically analyzed. Four noise sources were used in comparing the software packages dBFA dBSonic, which were used in the investigation to a public domain code. The purpose of the comparison was to evaluate the validity of the results obtained and to gain an idea of the shortcomings of the relevant standards. A comparison of the results for loudness was computed from various methods, used in the study. Two basic sources of input data such as a sound level meter (SLM) and a 01 dB data acquisition system (DAQ), were available for the comparison. The SLM directly gave 1/3 octave band levels, while the data from the DAQ was filtered to give the results. Five processing methods, including a Visual Basic (VB) program and a VB program adapted from dBFA, were used for the study. It was found that the calculation of loudness from 1/3 octave cannot be separated from the filtering process.

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Published

2006-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Defoe J, Novak C, Ule H. A critical analysis of loudness calculation methods. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2006 Sep. 1 [cited 2023 Feb. 2];34(3):28-9. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1806

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 3 (2006)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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