A concept of signal equalization method based on music genre and the listener's room characteristics

A research study that investigates the influence of the room acoustics environment on the frequency characteristic of the audio signal playback is presented. First, a novel spectral equalization method of the room acoustic conditions is introduced. On the basis of the frequency response of the room, a system for room acoustics compensation based on eight-band equalizer is proposed. The system settings depend on music genre. In order to acquire room acoustic characteristics, a series of measurements are performed. Reverberation times and frequency responses of four rooms are acquired. White noise serving as reference signal and audio excerpts belonging to six music genres are utilized in measurements. For audio normalization LUFS (Loudness Unit, referenced to Full Scale) scale is employed, therefore all audio tracks are adjusted to -23 LUFS signal level. Recorded signals in the listener's receiver position are then used to obtain room equalization characteristics. A comparison between the results obtained with the method introduced and a traditional graphic equalizer, based on preliminary subjective tests, is given. It is shown that room equalization based on the method proposed is effective in room acoustic deficiencies improvement.