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Journal Article

The Effect of Stereo Crosstalk on Intelligibility: Comparison of a Phantom Stereo Image and a Central Loudspeaker Source

Authors: Shirley, Ben; Kendrick, Paul; Churchill, Claire

Journal of the Audio Engineering Society · Volume 55 · Issue 10 · pp. 852–863 · October 2007

Abstract

The roll out of surround sound for broadcasting and packaged media, and the consequent addition of a center loudspeaker for sound accompanying video have the potential to reduce the impact of acoustical crosstalk and so improve the intelligibility of material presented with speech in the center channel. A series of listening tests were carried out assessing any potential intelligibility benefits associated with presenting speech using a central loudspeaker, as found in 5.1 surround sound systems, compared to using a central stereo image. Twenty subjects with normal hearing were presented with a series of sentences containing identifying keywords in a background of multitalker babble over a wide stereo image. Half of the sentences were played as a central source and half as a central stereo image. The tests showed significant improvements in word recognition using a separate center loudspeaker when compared with a phantom center image between a pair of loudspeakers. A theoretical transfer function showing the difference in frequency response between the two conditions is calculated and compared with actual measurements made using a dummy head. The impact of acoustical crosstalk on the intelligibility of speech is assessed.

Details

Publication
Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
Volume
55
Issue
10
Pages
852–863
Publication date
October 6, 2007
Affiliation
Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford, UK (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Journal Article