The one of greatest importance in audio is the amplitude of
electrical signal or sound level vs. frequency, or as it is
commonly known: the frequency response.
It is the principal determinant of sound quality.
Music and movies are art. Audio is a science. "Science in
the service of art" is our business. The final evaluation, how-
ever, of any audio product, hardware or software, is a lis-
tening test—and that is part of the problem. How do we
determine what causes something to sound "good" or "bad"?
The audio industry is in a "circle of confusion." Loud-
speakers are evaluated by using recordings . . . which are
made by using microphones, equalization, reverb, and ef-
fects . . . which are evaluated by using loudspeakers . . .
which are evaluated by using recordings . . . etc., etc.
Recordings are then used to evaluate audio products. This
is equivalent to doing a measurement with an uncalibrated
instrument! Of course, professional audio engineers use pro-
fessional monitor loudspeakers . . . which are also evaluated
by using recordings . . . which are made by using micro-
phones, etc. . . . which are evaluated by using professional
monitor loudspeakers . . . which are once again evaluated
by using recordings . . . which are then auditioned through
consumer loudspeakers!
Thus the circle of confusion continues. It is broken only when the professional
monitor loudspeakers and the consumer loudspeakers sound like
each other—when they have the same sonic signature, i.e.,
when they are similarly good.
FLOYD E. TOOLE, Vice President, Acoustical Enqineerinq, Harman International Industries