A New Method for Determining the Subjective Effects of Sounds and Vibration Using an Objective Procedure

Measuring sounds inside cars often presents a difficult task for the acoustic engineer. Because sound events in cars arise in a complex way, direct conclusions about sound components subjectively judged to be annoying with regard to their causes and transmission paths, can be drawn in a limited way only. A new procedure, complementing binaural measurement technology and tested by including multi-channel measurements of acceleration sensor signals, sound radiation and transmission, has been developed. This involves correlating signals influencing sound quality, analyzed by means of human hearing, with signals from different acceleration sensors fixed in front of and behind engine mounts. An exact relationship between physical causes and subjectively perceived sound quality can be established.