The discussion about whether there is a perceived quality improvement with the "high resolution formats" for digital audio has been going on for a large number of years without having reached a final conclusion. Results of listening tests have resulted in conflicting conclusions, certainly for those tests which have mainly focused on the audibility of sonic contributions with frequencies above 20 kHz. Yet, there is a lot of circumstantial evidence1 that the high resolution formats produce higher quality sound reproduction. In this paper we will bring forward a different explanation than the presence of ultrasonic components only which, however, will have important consequences for the requirements of loudspeakers and headphones (and microphones!) to bring the advantages of high resolution formats to full fruition.
https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=16886
Click to purchase paper as a non-member or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!
This paper costs $33 for non-members and is free for AES members and E-Library subscribers.
Learn more about the AES E-Library
Start a discussion about this paper!
