The effect of stereo crosstalk on intelligibility : comparison of a phantom stereo image and a central loudspeaker source

Shirley, BG; Kendrick, P; Churchill, C

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.

Citation

Shirley, B., Kendrick, P., & Churchill, C. (2007). The effect of stereo crosstalk on intelligibility : comparison of a phantom stereo image and a central loudspeaker source. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 55(10), 852-863

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 15, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jan 13, 2022
• Journal: Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
• Print ISSN: 1549-4950
• Publisher: Audio Engineering Society
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 852-863
• Publisher URL: http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14174
• Related Public URLs: http://www.aes.org/journal/