Consideration of radiated sound quality for high-grade washing machine through paired comparison test

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a sound quality evaluation test to obtain a guide realizing a radiated noise suitable for high-grade washing machines. Twelve sounds at spin drying of drum type washing machines were prepared for paired comparison experiments. Forty eight participants evaluated the presented sound quality about “noisiness,” “discomfort,” and “luxuriousness.” The results indicated that noisiness and discomfort had very high correlation between each other. In addition, loudness values calculated from the recorded sound pressure signal had very high linear relationship with them. On the other hand, evaluation result of luxuriousness showed a different tendency. The relationship between the calculated loudness value and luxuriousness score was high; however, the relationship was not linear but hyperbolic curve. When the loudness of the washing machine was over 10 sone, the luxury feeling of the radiated sound was rarely improved in spite of the loudness reduction. On the contrary, the luxuriousness...