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Convention Paper

The Audibility of Typical Digital Audio Filters in a High-Fidelity Playback System

Authors: Jackson, Helen M.; Capp, Michael D.; Stuart, J. Robert

AES Convention 137 · Paper 9174 · October 2014

Abstract

This paper describes listening tests investigating the audibility of various filters applied in high-resolution wideband digital playback systems. Discrimination between filtered and unfiltered signals was compared directly in the same subjects using a double-blind psychophysical test. Filter responses tested were representative of anti-alias filters used in A/D (analog-to-digital) converters or mastering processes. Further tests probed the audibility of 16-bit quantization with or without a rectangular dither. Results suggest that listeners are sensitive to the small signal alterations introduced by these filters and quantization. Two main conclusions are offered: first, there exist audible signals that cannot be encoded transparently by a standard CD; and second, an audio chain used for such experiments must be capable of high-fidelity reproduction.

Details

Published in
AES Convention 137
AES Convention
137
Paper number
9174
Publication date
October 6, 2014
Session subject
Perception
Affiliation
Meridian Audio Ltd., Huntingdon, UK (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Convention Paper