Psychoacoustic analysis of power windows sounds: Correlation between subjective and objective evaluations

Abstract

The sound quality of automotive components is becoming more and more important in the customer perception of the vehicle quality. In the present study, the sound quality of power windows was investigated through subjective and objective analyses of experimentally recorded sounds. In particular, a jury test based on Verbal Attribute Magnitude Estimation and Paired Comparison techniques was developed and presented. The combination of the two methods is a novel aspect with respect to the literature and resulted in a useful and simpler mean to obtain coherent subjective judgments. In order to quantify the power window sound quality, objective parameters were obtained applying acoustic and psychoacoustic metrics, resulting well correlated with the correspondent subjective evaluations. Additionally, correlation analyses between subjective overall (i.e. independent) judgements on sound quality and subjective dependent or objective parameters were performed. Regression analyses were applied to develop models of perceived component quality, powerfulness and annoyance. The subjective and objective quantities related to the features of loudness, sharpness and steadiness of the electric motor were found to be prominent in sound quality evaluation.