Native High-Resolution versus Red Book Standard Audio: A Perceptual Discrimination Survey

Waldrep M. Native High-Resolution versus Red Book Standard Audio: A Perceptual Discrimination Survey. In: AES Convention 149. Audio Engineering Society; 2020.pp. 10417:1-13. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20954

@inproceedings{Waldrep2020_20954,
  author = {Waldrep, Mark},
  title = {{Native High-Resolution versus Red Book Standard Audio: A Perceptual Discrimination Survey}},
  booktitle = {AES Convention 149},
  pages = {10417:1-13},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20954},
  year = {2020},
  month = oct,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - Native High-Resolution versus Red Book Standard Audio: A Perceptual Discrimination Survey
AU  - Waldrep, Mark
T2  - AES Convention 149
SP  - 1
EP  - 13
M1  - Paper 10417
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/10/06
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20954
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - The perceptibility of high-resolution versus CD standard audio has been the subject of research and debate since the introduction of hi-res audio distribution formats twenty years ago. The author conducted a large survey to determine whether experienced listeners could differentiate between a diverse set of twenty native high-resolution PCM stereo recordings and down conversions of the same masters at 44.1 kHz/16-bits fidelity. Participants were encouraged to audition the files using their own systems, which ranged from modest, headphone-based personal setups to audiophile quality rooms costing in excess of $50,000 to professional studio environments. They were not allowed to use analytical tools or other non-listening means to assist in their observations. Over 400 responses were received from professional audio engineers, experienced audiophiles, casual music enthusiasts, and novices aged eleven to eighty-one years. The online survey submissions show that high-resolution audio was undetectable by a substantial majority of the respondents regardless of experience level, equipment cost, or process with almost 25% choosing “No Choice.”. However, some evidence exists that specific genres and recordings produced moderately higher positives.
ER  -