PAPERS Subjective Preference of Modal Control Methods in Listening Rooms

Room modes are well known to cause unwanted effects in the correct reproduction of low frequencies in critical listening rooms. Methods to control these problems range from simple loudspeaker/listener positioning to quite complex digital signal processing. Nonetheless, the subjective importance and impact of these methods has rarely been quantified subjectively. A number of simple control methods have been implemented in an IEC standard listening environment. Eight different systems were setup in the room simultaneously and could therefore be tested in direct comparison to each other. A panel of 20 listeners was asked to state their preferred configuration using the method of paired comparison. Results show clear winners and losers, indicating an informed but simple strategy for efficient control.