Abstract:
Recent development of PC-based acoustical measurement systems has allowed separation of hardware and software development. It is often no longer necessary to buy new hardware in order to add new features, but only to add or change the software algorithm. Having measured and stored room impulse responses (mono, directional, binaural, 3-D), one can use the same raw data later with new computer analysis routines. The CHRG room measurement project and the Alex round robin test have drawn attention to the differences between systems; different measurement teams have a variety of goals and priorities. The hope is to measure and analyze far more than reverberation times. On the one hand, specifications need to be provided that will guarantee comparable data for certain standard measurements, and on the other hand, future development needs to be accommodated. Starting with a superset of goals, an approach is outlined for defining which parts of the system should be subject to standards, while retaining the flexibility for unique or experimental measures.