Science inside [Audio research]

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by Azrael3000, Oct 21, 2016.

  1. Azrael3000

    Azrael3000 New

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    Since I have a background in science (math, physics & computer science) I am also interested in the research that is revolving around our hobby. So maybe we can have a small thread here with some more or less scientific news reports, papers , new technology or what have you. Topics revolving the perception of audio are also welcome.

    I'll start with something that I have recently stumbled across.

    http://pratt.duke.edu/about/news/acoustic-hologram
    The basic gist is that they are using metamaterials (i.e. materials with geometric properties that are smaller than the wavelengths) to create acoustic holograms.
    [​IMG]
    While this seems currently more interesting for applications like ultrasound it might also be useful for speaker design.
     
  2. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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  3. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    As long as this thread stays about the science of sound and not Sound Science.
     
  4. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Now you made me sad that we lost our anechoic chamber and underground optical bench (for laser funsies) when we moved offices :(
     
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Anechoic chambers kinda wig me out. Being able to hear the swish of blood vessels in your ear is really disorienting.
     
  6. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    The next time you go in one, enter with someone else. Have them talk constantly, and close your eyes. Turn around slowly, still listening. Open them, try not to fall over.

    If it's a proper chamber where you're on a wire walkway over an equally weird floor, try not to fall off. They hate having to dismantle and rebuild those things to remove foreign objects/damage. Hopefully you also emptied your pockets before entering...
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2016
  7. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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  8. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    That's interesting. I've never seen an anechoic chamber, but I don't think that even photographs prepares me for that thought --- which is obvious now you tell me: of course the floor would have to be anechoic too. Doh!

    How is the experience of listening to headphones in an anechoic chamber? Closed and open. If you ever tried?
     
  9. landroni

    landroni Friend

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    Apparently you spend your time repressing all the noises coming from the blood flowing through the veins (and you heart beating), all the while trying to stay focused on the music in front of you. It would seem as if an 'optimal' noise level, something between an anechoic chamber and a studio, would work best for this...
     
  10. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    How would an audiologist's booth compare to a real anechoic chamber? The sensation you describe above is eerily similar to what I feel when I get my hearing tested. I have some mild tinnitus that is much more noticeable too. I always thought those sensations were due to the fact that the booth headphones feel extremely closed.... it's really disconcerting to hear all those "body noises" when you are trying to focus on the beeps/sweeps.

    It's funny that we get OCD when it comes to player settings, USB cables, treble spikes etc. when a comfortable chair and dim lighting, not to mention a glass of wine (or single malt.... pick your poison) will have a much larger impact on how much we enjoy our music.
     
  11. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Yeah, ive been in an anechoic chamber when I visited a college I want to go to. The floor is a grate, and anechoicness below it.
    Was pretty quiet in there, a clap is just one short sound, sounds weird. Aparently it is really hard to play in instrument in there, as you can hear every bit of unintunation.
    They also had the oppsite, a reverberation room, where a clap would last a good 5-10 seconds.
     
  12. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    There's a great word!

    Wow. ....owowowowowowowowowowowowowowow ;)

    Would like to experience both. I think I would prefer the anechoic.
     
  13. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I was trying to think of the right word, so I made my own.

    Yeah, reverberation room was pretty weird, Kinda hard to understand somone right near you. Their setup had the two room right next to each other, with a removable (soundproof) panel in between them, that they could remove and put another object in to test soundproofing, generating noise in reverberation room, and measurring it in the anechoic chamber.
    That is hopefully where I am going to college.
     
  14. Azrael3000

    Azrael3000 New

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  15. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    I have hearing loss so I've been in multiple audiologist booths, and have worked at places with anechoic chambers. Those booths are only a facsmile of even a semi anechoic chamber (understandable, given the size requirements) and to be fair it probably feels more uncomfortable in the booth since there's test anxiety (I hope my hearing's not more fucked etc) and suspicious headphones that had their last cleaning probably eons ago. Still it does feel very strange having it be dead quiet.

    @spwath I think you were in a semi anechoic chamber (if it had a solid and non-mesh floor), the real anechoic is a step above since you mention a removable "wall". Now that college looms it's time for you to test the open back vs closed back headphones in a chamber experience.
     
  16. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    the floor was mesh.
    the removable thing still had all the foam and such on it.
    yeah, ill have to try some things in it.
     

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