Effects on Speech Perception of Modifying the Impulse Response of a Small Room

A linear model of the ear as a parallel bank of filters and the image solution for room response are outlined. These models are used to predict the perception of speech under certain controlled variations in the impulse response of a small room. Using either a hardware digital filter or a computer simulation, room impulse responses have been measured, modified, and their effect on speech examined. The investigations included linearizing the phase of and truncating the impulse response, examining an all-pass filter with a real room phase characteristic and observing the effect of the time complement of a truncated impulse response.