- #1
jnimagine
- 178
- 0
what does the soundwaves of a poor quality sound look like??
and richer quality?
and richer quality?
Poor vs Rich Sound Quality: Soundwave Visuals
In summary, poor sound quality refers to audio that is distorted, muffled, or contains background noise, while rich sound quality is clear, balanced, and immersive. Soundwave visuals, such as soundbars and surround sound systems, can greatly enhance sound quality by amplifying and distributing audio evenly throughout a room. However, poor placement or calibration of these devices can result in subpar sound quality. It is important to invest in high-quality sound equipment and properly set it up to achieve the best sound experience.
- #2
interested_learner
- 213
- 1
"Higher" quality sound has (in general) more harmonics than poorer sounding sound. For instance, an orchestra can produce a richer sound than an electric guitar even though they may be just as loud. There are a lot of details like how the harmonics work together, etc, but in general that is the difference.
So if you take a FFT of the orchestra, you will see a lot of small spikes at a large number of frequencies in addition to the larger spikes while the guitar would have a much simplier spectrum.
So if you take a FFT of the orchestra, you will see a lot of small spikes at a large number of frequencies in addition to the larger spikes while the guitar would have a much simplier spectrum.
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- #3
jnimagine
- 178
- 0
interested_learner said:
so in terms of how the soundwaves look like,
higher quality soundwaves have rippled sort of lines with a lot of frequencies and poor quality soundwaves have smooth lines of waves with less frequencies?
- #4
sas3
Gold Member
- 208
- 9
Well, if you have clipping (sounds very bad) it just looks like the peeks are cut off.
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- #5
jnimagine
- 178
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sas3 said:
I'm not quite sure about what you mean by "the peeks are cut off".
- #6
sas3
Gold Member
- 208
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Here are some pictures to help explain it.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/1614/plot2dv1.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2576/plot1sc2.jpg
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/1614/plot2dv1.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2576/plot1sc2.jpg
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- #7
turbo
Gold Member
- 3,165
- 56
If you run a sinusoidal signal through a solid-state amplifier (look at sa3's graphs) the amplifier will produce it very accurately until you try to increase the volume past the capacity of the amplifier. At that point (and thereafter) the amp will "clip". It will not be able to reproduce the entire waveform, so the peaks (the most positive and negative excursions) will have flat spots (clipping) with very sharp transitions (the squared-off corners) that sound very harsh. Tube-driven amplifiers do not clip as sharply, and have a more complex waveform when they do clip, so they are more pleasant to listen to when overdriven. When you listen to Angus Young (AC/DC), Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or almost any other top guitarist, you are listening to them performing on tube amps - the complexity of the tone is essential to their distinctive sounds. There are a few top guitarists who use solid-state amplifiers, like BB King, but they are in a very distinct minority.jnimagine said:I'm not quite sure about what you mean by "the peeks are cut off".
- #8
Jheriko
- 158
- 1
If you are talking about digital sound then, as well as the clipping effects, the quality depends on the compression level and format used. In general as the quality gets lower then artefacts will begin to become more prominent in the waveforms which can often be heard as clicks, pops or chirps of all sorts given sufficiently bad quality, the exact type of artefact will depend on the compression method employed.
If there is no compression and it is just plain wave data then the quality loss will come from clipping as above, but also from the discrete representation used for the waves, in theory at low enough bit rates you could end up with a nasty irregular jaggy triangle wave from a perfect sine wave.
Another source of poor quality is noise from the recording. A hissing noise usually looks like lots of tiny and rapid changes in the waveforms. Its quite difficult to separate noise from the details of a high quality recording sometimes, although in general most noise is so far up the frequency spectrum that you can get more than acceptable results by cutting off frequencies above some cut off point... i.e. a low-pass filter
If there is no compression and it is just plain wave data then the quality loss will come from clipping as above, but also from the discrete representation used for the waves, in theory at low enough bit rates you could end up with a nasty irregular jaggy triangle wave from a perfect sine wave.
Another source of poor quality is noise from the recording. A hissing noise usually looks like lots of tiny and rapid changes in the waveforms. Its quite difficult to separate noise from the details of a high quality recording sometimes, although in general most noise is so far up the frequency spectrum that you can get more than acceptable results by cutting off frequencies above some cut off point... i.e. a low-pass filter
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- #9
sas3
Gold Member
- 208
- 9
Here are some links to other types of distortion
Phase distortion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_distortion_synthesis
Harmonic Distortion
http://members.aol.com/sbench102/thd.html
Phase distortion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_distortion_synthesis
Harmonic Distortion
http://members.aol.com/sbench102/thd.html
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FAQ: Poor vs Rich Sound Quality: Soundwave Visuals
1. Why is sound quality important?
The quality of sound can greatly impact our listening experience. It can affect the clarity, depth, and overall enjoyment of music or other audio content. Poor sound quality can be distracting and make it difficult to fully appreciate the intended sound, while rich sound quality can enhance the listening experience and bring out the nuances of the sound.
2. How does soundwave visuals affect sound quality?
Soundwave visuals are a representation of the sound waves that are produced by an audio source. These visuals can give us insight into the frequency and amplitude of the sound, which can affect the overall quality. For example, a sound with a high frequency and low amplitude may sound tinny and lack depth, while a sound with a balanced frequency and amplitude may sound rich and full.
3. What factors contribute to poor sound quality?
There are several factors that can contribute to poor sound quality. These can include the quality of the audio recording or source, the type of audio equipment being used, and the environment in which the sound is being played. Poorly recorded audio, cheap or malfunctioning equipment, and noisy or echoey environments can all negatively impact sound quality.
4. How can sound quality be improved?
Improving sound quality can involve a combination of factors. Investing in high-quality audio equipment, using well-recorded audio sources, and creating a suitable listening environment can all help to improve sound quality. Additionally, using sound equalization and other audio processing techniques can also enhance the sound and produce a richer listening experience.
5. Is rich sound quality always better than poor sound quality?
Not necessarily. While rich sound quality can enhance the listening experience, it is subjective and can vary depending on personal preferences and the type of audio being played. Some people may prefer the raw, imperfect sound of a low-quality recording, while others may appreciate the depth and clarity of a high-quality recording. Ultimately, the best sound quality is one that suits the individual's preferences and needs.