A Comparison of Subjective Assessments of Recorded Music and Computer Simulated Auralizations in Two Auditoria

The present study is concerned with a comparison of computer auralizations with recorded music in two concert halls. Two concert halls in Sydney (referred to as SOH and CRH), having different acoustical characteristics, were modeled using the Odeon V.6.0 software. Recorded music at several seats in each hall was subjectively compared with computer generated music at the same seats. The measured and computed acoustical characteristics were also compared. The preference judgements based on computer generated sounds in the two halls show that the acoustics of the CRH are preferred to those of the SOH. This result is in agreement with the judgements based on recorded music in the same halls and anecdotal evidence from audiences. The acoustical parameters, G _mid, C ₈₀ and EDT were highly correlated with the preference judgements based on the auralized and recorded music. However a statistical analysis of the subjective assessments of acoustical quality made in each hall shows that there is a significant difference between preferences for auralized and recorded music.