The Headphone and Loudspeaker Test: Part I: Suggestions for controlling characteristics of playback devices in internet experiments

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Yves Wycisk
  • Reinhard Kopiez
  • Jakob Bergner
  • Kilian Sander
  • Stephan Preihs
  • Jürgen Peissig
  • Friedrich Platz

External Research Organisations

  • Hanover College of Music and Drama
  • State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart (HMDK)
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1094-1107
Number of pages14
JournalBehavior research methods
Volume55
Issue number3
Early online date17 May 2022
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Abstract

In internet experiments on auditory perception, playback devices may be a confounding variable reducing internal validity. A procedure to remotely test multiple characteristics of playback devices does not currently exist. Thus, the main goals of this study were to (i) develop and (ii) evaluate a comprehensive, efficient, and easy-to-handle test procedure for the reliable control and identification of playback device characteristics in online experiments. Based on a counting task paradigm, the first part of the Headphone and Loudspeaker Test (HALT–Part I) was developed with which researchers can standardize sound level adjustments, detect stereo/mono playback, and assess lower frequency limits. In a laboratory study (N = 40), HALT–Part I was evaluated with four playback devices (circumaural and intra-aural headphones; external and laptop loudspeakers). Beforehand, the acoustical properties of all playback devices had been measured (e.g., sound pressure level, frequency response, total harmonic distortion). The analysis suggested that HALT–Part I has high test–retest reliability (rtt =.90 for level adjustment and rtt =.79 for stereo/mono detection) and is an efficient (3.5 minutes for completion) method to remotely test playback devices and listening conditions (sound level, stereo/mono playback). The procedure can help improve data quality in internet experiments.

Keywords

    Confounding variables, Control variables, Internet experiment, Level adjustment, Mono/stereo playback, Playback characteristics, Remote testing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cite this

The Headphone and Loudspeaker Test: Part I: Suggestions for controlling characteristics of playback devices in internet experiments. / Wycisk, Yves; Kopiez, Reinhard; Bergner, Jakob et al.
In: Behavior research methods, Vol. 55, No. 3, 04.2023, p. 1094-1107.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Wycisk Y, Kopiez R, Bergner J, Sander K, Preihs S, Peissig J et al. The Headphone and Loudspeaker Test: Part I: Suggestions for controlling characteristics of playback devices in internet experiments. Behavior research methods. 2023 Apr;55(3):1094-1107. Epub 2022 May 17. doi: 10.3758/s13428-022-01859-8
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abstract = "In internet experiments on auditory perception, playback devices may be a confounding variable reducing internal validity. A procedure to remotely test multiple characteristics of playback devices does not currently exist. Thus, the main goals of this study were to (i) develop and (ii) evaluate a comprehensive, efficient, and easy-to-handle test procedure for the reliable control and identification of playback device characteristics in online experiments. Based on a counting task paradigm, the first part of the Headphone and Loudspeaker Test (HALT–Part I) was developed with which researchers can standardize sound level adjustments, detect stereo/mono playback, and assess lower frequency limits. In a laboratory study (N = 40), HALT–Part I was evaluated with four playback devices (circumaural and intra-aural headphones; external and laptop loudspeakers). Beforehand, the acoustical properties of all playback devices had been measured (e.g., sound pressure level, frequency response, total harmonic distortion). The analysis suggested that HALT–Part I has high test–retest reliability (rtt =.90 for level adjustment and rtt =.79 for stereo/mono detection) and is an efficient (3.5 minutes for completion) method to remotely test playback devices and listening conditions (sound level, stereo/mono playback). The procedure can help improve data quality in internet experiments.",
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