Impulse response measurement in public space using musical signal including swept-sine signals

Abstract

In design of public spaces, e.g. railway stations, airport terminal buildings and underground shopping centers, careful attention should be paid from an acoustical viewpoint. It is not only for acoustical comfort but also for safety ensured by a public address system with high intelligibility. As a study for this aim, we have been investigating acoustical characteristics of various public spaces. In these studies, it is strongly desired to measure impulse responses in the spaces under live condition with occupants but the usual measurement method using Swept-Sine signals are not applicable because the signals sound very peculiar to the occupants. To mitigate such a problem, we are trying a method using test music signals in which Swept-Sine signals are inserted. In this paper, the availability of this measurement technique is outlined and some measurement results are introduced. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.