Article Reprints
Published articles written by Listen staff, and/or covering Listen’s products.
Automotive Max. SPL Measurements
In this short article, Steve Temme introduces the efforts of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) technical committee working on automotive audio to standardize the way essential attributes of complex automotive
audio systems are measured across the industry. He explains why Max SPL measurements are important, defines this measurement, and describes the standardized measurement procedure suggested by the committee. Test configuration and physical setup is discussed, and example results presented.
Q&A with Steve Temme – Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook 2022
Want to get to know Listen Founder and President, Steve Temme, a little better? Each year, Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook features interviews with industry leaders in which they ask their opinions on current events, issues and trends in the audio industry. Read what Steve Temme had to say.
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End of Line Distortion Measurements
Steve Temme discusses the importance of detecting manufacturing-induced defects such as Rub & Buzz and Loose Particles during end-of-line testing, and explains the various algorithms that are used. He compares conventional and perceptual metrics for the measurement of Rub & Buzz, including Listen’s new enhanced Perceptual Rub & Buzz algorithm, and discusses why it can be beneficial to use both conventional and perceptual measurements in tandem.
The Evolution of Production Line Rub & Buzz Measurements
Steve Temme discusses the evolution of production line Rub & Buzz measurements in this April 2022 issue of AudioXpress. Starting with simultaneous analysis of higher order harmonics, he explains the progression of improvements including the greater accuracy offered by normalized distortion measurements, and progressing to the introduction of perceptual metrics. He covers the introduction of the first perceptual distortion algorithm introduced in 2011, and the newest enhancements to this which offer the repeatability necessary for successful end-of-line perceptual distortion measurement, where the reduction in false rejects and resulting higher yields add significant value to speaker and headphone manufacturers.
How to Measure Free Field Speaker Response without an Anechoic Chamber
Did you know
you can make free-field measurements without an anechoic chamber? In the March 2021 issue of VoiceCoil, Steve Temme explains his unique method for achieving this. The article explains how the ‘splice’ method results in a full range frequency response from a combination of near-field and windowed far-field measurement, and compares the results with anechoic chamber measurements and the manufacturer’s published response curve.
Listen Celebrates 25 Years
2020 is Listen’s 25th anniversary! When Listen sold its first product in 1995, it was the first soundcard-based audio measurement system, and its competition was often human listeners. Now, with an installed base of well over 10,000 systems and the industry-wide adoption of both soundcard-based architecture and highly automated sequence-based measurement, Listen is still leading the way with new algorithms and product development to meet the changing needs of the marketplace. In this article, reprinted from Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook, Listen founder and president, Steve Temme, shares his story.
Practical Testing of Voice Controlled Devices
Author: Steve Temme. Reprinted from the Jan 2020 issue of AudioXpress.
This article discusses tools and techniques that are available to accurately measure the audio performance of voice-controlled and connected devices under the many various real-world conditions they may be used. It covers basic acoustic measurements such as frequency and distortion response, which have always been carried out on conventional wired systems, and the more complex real-world tests that apply specifically to voice-activated devices, along withthe techniques and standards that may be used.
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An Interview with Steve Temme
Author: Shannon Becker. Reprinted from the March 2018 issue of Audio Xpress.
Shannon Becker interviews Steve Temme about how he founded Listen, Inc. and grew it from a start-up into an audio measurement leader.
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Practical Measurement of Bluetooth and Lightning Headphones
Author: Daniel Knighten. Reprinted from the July 2017 issue of Voice Coil.
In this article, Dan Knighten discusses how to overcome the challenges of measuring headphones with wireless and digital interfaces such as Bluetooth, Lightning and USB-C to make the same measurements as on conventional wired headphones.
Smarter Measurements for Smart Speakers
Author: Daniel Knighten (Listen, Inc) and Glenn Hess (Indy Acoustic Research). Reprinted from the March 2018 issue of Audio Xpress.
In this article, we describe techniques to characterize the frequency response, output level, and distortion of the device under test to enable direct comparisons between Internet of Things (IoT) smart speakers and conventional speakers.
In-Vehicle Distortion Measurement
Authors: Zarina Bhimani, Steve F. Temme (Listen, Inc.), Patrick Dennis (Nissan Motor Co.). Reprinted from the 2017 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook.
Steve Temme and Patrick Dennis discuss their research exploring test methods that will help determine audible distortion and enable manufacturers to test sound equipment after it is installed
Headphone Testing at Reviewed.com
Author: Zarina Bhimani. Reprinted from the June 2016 issue of Voice Coil.
In this article we discuss how review website Reviewed.com uses SoundCheck to evaluate headphones.
Headphone Testing (part 2)
Author: Brian Fallon. Reprinted from the April 2012 issue of Voice Coil.
In part 2 of this comprehensive feature on headphone testing, Brian Fallon explains how to test more complicated types of headphones including bluetooth headphones, usb headphones and noise cancelling headphones.
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Headphone Testing (part 1)
Author: Steve Temme. Reprinted from the December 2011 issue of Voice Coil.
In part 1 of this 2-part series, Steve Temme discusses the basics of headphone testing.
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Automated Perceptual Rub & Buzz Distortion Measurement
Author: Steve Temme. Reprinted from the September 2011 issue of Voice Coil.
In this article, Steve Temme discusses Listen’s latest work on perceptual Rub & Buzz measurement.
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SoundCheck ONE
Author: Vance Dickason. Reprinted from the October 2010 issue of Voice Coil.
VoiceCoil Editor Vance Dickason offers this user report of SoundCheck® ONE – the low cost production line test system from Listen.
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Soundcard-Based Production Line Loudspeaker Test
Author: Steve Temme
Reprinted from the July 2004 issue of Voice Coil
Peerless chooses SoundCheck® as their standard for testing their loudspeakers.
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