Estimation of Kandoh Degree with Emphasis on Spatial Sound Impressions

It has recently been recognized that a method of evaluating audio-visual systems from the viewpoint of Kansei information is necessary for the development of high-presence audio-visual equipment. In this work, it is shown that the Kandoh, which is one aspect of Kansei information that considers various emotions, evoked by audio materials depends on the channel configuration of multichannel audio (MCA). Audio materials reproduced by eight loudspeaker arrangements (fourteen reproduction conditions) were evaluated by using a Kandoh grading scale. Then, a model to estimate the degree to which Kandoh is emphasized by spatial sound impressions is proposed. The relationship between the degree of Kandoh and the physical properties of the reproduced sound was investigated using multiple regression analysis. As a result, the degree of Kandoh could be estimated from physical properties.