Jury studies of sound quality for low frequency noise

Using 75 varied low frequency noise samples with adjusted-loudness as sound stimuli, we investigate sound quality for low frequency noise with paired comparison method. The jury testing with a total of 24 jurors has been carried out to explore the relationship between physical properties of low frequency noise and perceptual ratings. It is shown that the proposed 'unpleasantness' can be used as an reasonable and effective metric to indicate human′s general reaction to low frequency noise, and some crucial factors such as low frequency components and its energy ratios, loudness, temporal and spectral characteristics, and sharpness could influence or even govern the sound quality of low frequency noise.