is the catalyst to express the excitement and power of any
entertainment experience. The latest innovation in low-frequency
enhancement technology uses DSP-powered algorithms to enhance low
frequencies so that even the smallest speakers can reproduce
natural-sounding bass. The algorithms restore the perception of
fundamental low-frequency tones by dynamically augmenting harmonics. The
improved bass performance results in a richer and warmer listening
perceive sound in three dimensions. Our ability to locate sounds
depends on the way that sound waves from the same source differ from
each other as they reach the left and right ears. We depend on special
audio inputs—frequency variations, volume intensity and the time delay
for a sound to reach our ears—to determine the location of the origin of
a sound and the type of sound field image, or listening environment, in
which we hear it.
digital entertainment or data consumed via smartphone or tablet is
frequently interrupted by background noise, users often try to adjust
the volume manually to compensate. But such adjustments are inaccurate
and can jeopardize the true listening experience. Human hearing is not a
purely mechanical process; the concept of psychoacoustics comes into
play each time a user reaches for the volume control buttons.
is the scientific study of the human psychological and physiological
response to sound. It recognizes human hearing as a sensory and
perceptual event. Our ears and brains work together, ignoring certain
sounds and perceiving others in unique ways.
psychoacoustics modeling, developers can determine which parts of a
digital audio signal can be removed without significant loss in
perceived audio quality. Alternatively, it suggests what should be added
or enhanced to improve the listening experience.
entertainment is becoming a social experience as consumers meet up with
friends and huddle around a phone or a tablet to share their favorite
movie clip or music video. This use case transforms the handheld
listening experience from being primarily headphone dependent to being
dependent on small-screen speaker playback, with multiple listeners in
close range of the device. But thin, narrow speakers, earbuds or
headphones do not have the physical capability to reproduce a
multidimensional sound field with high fidelity. Most small speaker
components found in compact mobile phones have severe performance
limitations, resulting in that boxy, squashed-fidelity sound.
devices are simply not prepared for the audio experience consumers are
demanding. Audio technology companies are scrambling to develop
technology that greatly improves the outcome for listeners.
3-D audio is quickly gaining the attention of manufacturers as a way to
enhance music listening and gaming on mobile devices. With 3-D audio,
the audio environment is expanded to provide an immersive, multilevel,
surround-sound listening experience for users.
suppliers are making audio technology available that will analyze and
process frequencies, volume intensity and time delay, while taking into
account such physical variables as the distance between the listener’s
ears. This process results in a remarkable surround-sound experience
from stereo speakers and headphones. It is an elegant and simple
alternative that can greatly improve the user’s listening experience.
available technology dramatically raises the level of perceived volume
so that music, movies and games come through loud, clear and robust,
staying true to the artists’ original intent.
audio technology for smartphones is designed to enhance the voice
frequency bands to improve the audio quality of dialog and vocals,
broadening the soundstage with a phantom center channel for improved
clarity and audio timbre.
innovative DSP algorithms, manufacturers now have the ability to
maximize the acoustic power of smaller audio speakers without additional
BOM hardware costs, enabling a better product with competitive consumer
About the author
Skaaden is vice president of strategic sales and business planning for
DTS Inc. He was CEO of Neural Audio before its acquisition by DTS in
2009. Skaaden holds a BA in finance from the University of Oregon, a
business degree from the Norwegian School of Management and an MBA from
the University of Washington.