Convention Paper
Subjective Listening Tests for Preferred Room Response in Cinemas-Part 1: System and Test Descriptions
AES Convention 139 · Paper 9483 · October 2015
Abstract
SMPTE and ISO have specified near identical in-room target response curves for cinemas and dubbing stages. However, to this author's knowledge, to date these standards have never been scientifically tested and validated with modern technology and measurement techniques. For this reason, it is still not known if the current SMPTE and ISO in-room target response curves are optimal or if better solutions exist. This paper describes the Binaural Room Scanning system and listening test methodologies for simulating a cinema sound reproduction system through headphones for the purpose of conducting controlled listening experiments. The method uses a binaural mannequin equipped with a computer-controlled rotating head to accurately capture binaural impulse responses of the sound system and the listening space which are then reproduced via calibrated headphones equipped with a head-tracker. In this way, controlled listening evaluations can be made among different cinema audio systems tuned to different in-room target responses. Two different types of listening tests were developed and are described.
