Subjective Impression of Surround Sound Microphone Arrays

In order to investigate how recorded sounds of different surround sound microphone arrays are perceived, subjective evaluation of two classical music pieces recorded using seven microphone arrays were conducted in Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, and Vienna. The listening tests were done using Scheffé’s pairwise rating method on powerfulness, width, softness, and preference. Although, in general, the ratings were highly dependent on a choice of music piece, high and low ratings on powerfulness were seen for Decca Tree with Omni Square array and Double MS array, respectively for both of the pieces used in the experiments. Also, prediction equation of preference was formulated from perceptual attributes, and the equation showed that higher powerfulness, higher width, and lower softness yielded higher preference