1st Edition

Sensory Evaluation of Sound

Edited By Nick Zacharov Copyright 2019
    578 Pages
    by CRC Press

    580 Pages 91 Color & 92 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    580 Pages 91 Color & 92 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Sensory Evaluation of Sound provides a detailed review of the latest sensory evaluation techniques, specifically applied to the evaluation of sound and audio. This three-part book commences with an introduction to the fundamental role of sound and hearing, which is followed by an overview of sensory evaluation methods and associated univariate and multivariate statistical analysis techniques. The final part of the book provides several chapters with concrete real-world applications of sensory evaluation ranging from telecommunications, hearing aids design and binaural sound, via the latest research in concert hall acoustics through to audio-visual interaction. Aimed at the engineer, researcher, university student or manager the book gives insight into the advanced methods for the sensory evaluation with many application examples.



     







    • Introduces the fundamental of hearing and the value of sound






    • Provides a firm theoretical basis for advanced techniques in sensory evaluation of sound that are then illustrated with concrete examples from university research through to industrial product development






    • Includes chapters on sensory evaluation practices and methods as well as univariate and multivariate statistical analysis






    • Six application chapters covering a wide range of concrete sensory evaluation study examples including insight into audio-visual assessment






    • Includes data analysis with several associated downloadable datasets






    • Provides extensive references to the existing research literature, text books and standards


    Section I: Background. Introduction. Why Sound Matters. Sound, Hearing and Perception. Section II: Theory and Practice. Sensory Evaluation in Practice. Sensory Evaluation Methods for Sound. Applied Univariate Statistics. Applied Multivariate Statistics. Section III: Application. Telecommunications Applications. Hearing Aids. Car Audio. Binaural Spatial Reporduction. Concert Hall Acoustics. Emotions, Associations, and Sound. Audiovisual Interaction. Section IV: Annexes. Appendix A. Bibliography. Index.

    Biography

    Dr Nick Zacharov (FAES, C.Eng., M.Sc., B.Eng.(Hons.)) is a LEAD Technologist at FORCE Technology, SenseLab, Denmark, and widely recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities in the specialist field of quality assessment of sensory perception. With an academic background in electroacoustics, acoustics and signal processing, Nick has a broad industrial experience in the audio profession spanning from mobile phone audio to professional audio equipment design. His profound interest in audio quality is the cornerstone of his professional career. Having held engineering and managerial posts at Nokia, Genelec and DELTA, Nick co-founded SenseLab within DELTA in 2007, providing world-class listening tests and sensory evaluation services to the international audio community.



    He has been an active member of the Audio Engineering Society, serving as chairperson, co-chairman of conferences and AES governor in additions to being a member of several other professional societies. 



    Nick has more than 90 publications to his name as well as several audio patents. Nick is also co-author of "Perceptual Audio Evaluation – theory, method and application", which is an acknowledged and widely used textbook in its field.

    "This excellent book is the natural successor to Perceptual Audio Evaluation – Theory, Method and Application by Soren Bech and Nick Zacharov. The measurement of audio quality has traditionally ignored the true experience of listening, understandably relying heavily on easily repeatable quantification techniques that cannot fully represent the sensations experienced by untrained listeners in everyday situations. The Sensory Evaluation of Sound methodically guides readers through contemporary methods of evaluating sound from a sensory perspective, which goes well beyond standardized audio measurement techniques. Nick Zacharov is a well-established expert in the field and has approached contributors of similar calibre to provide information about real life applications and the underpinning theory so that sound, reproduction systems and room acoustics can be evaluated effectively. We will be using this text on our undergraduate and postgraduate sound design degrees, as it clearly describes and more importantly justifies why sound is important and how to effectively capture a wide variety of listening experiences. Nick Zacharov’s introduction provides an insightful synopsis of the field of sensory evaluation that is pertinent to anyone working with sound. Julian Treasure continues by highlighting how sound and its ubiquity affects human beings. More importantly he addresses the declining potential for silence, with its physiological, psychological, cognitive and behavioral consequences. It is possible to gain a thorough grounding in the field of listening tests from this text so that reliable experiments can be executed and reported using the superb guidance in the 15 highly informative chapters. This book should be essential reading for anyone working professionally in the field of sound and its many applications."
    Iain McGregor, Edinburgh Napier University, UK

    "This book includes an impressive collection of high-q