High-fidelity sound reproduction, psychophysics, and auditory neurophysiology
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Prof. Kunchur’s research seeks to provide an understandable, objective, and quantitative approach for evaluating and improving audio performance at the highest level-- a realm known as high-end audio -- by unraveling the astounding auditory neurophysiology that underlies the perception of musical sounds. He has been invited multiple times by AES (Audio Engineering Society) to speak at their conventions as an expert speaker and workshop organizer. Below is the description of recent workshops in Helsinki, Finland and Madrid, Spain:
"Towards an Objective
Understanding of High-End Audio"
Workshop
at AES (Audio Engineering Society) Convention in Helsinki, Finland
High-end audio (HEA) aims to reproduce sound with an accuracy that mimics the original live performance. While this goal is not exactly achieved, some HEA systems can come dramatically closer to the “real thing” than mainstream consumer audio. In progressing toward its goal, HEA goes beyond the standard specifications (20Hz–20kHz frequency response, low common distortions, etc.) and utilizes controversial (and seemingly extreme and superfluous) technologies and measures (atomic clocks, exotic cables, meticulous attention to time alignment, etc.). These measures tend to get dismissed by the mainstream because they appear to defy commonly accepted science, aren’t supported by published blind listening tests, or aren’t explicable in terms of standard measurements. The goal of this workshop is to unearth the various unexplained and surprising observations in HEA; seek a better understanding and verification of them; and ultimately develop a more predictive set of measurements. Also, to educate the audio community more widely about the realities and complexities of the human auditory system, whose misunderstanding is often the origin of the misinterpretation and skepticism regarding HEA.
AES Convention in Madrid, Spain:
Prof. Kunchur gave a 1-hour invited presentation "The Human Auditory System and Audio" followed by a 1-hour workshop "High-performance audio through the lens of a new understanding of hearing". pdf file
Selected publications:
"The Human Auditory System and Audio",
M. N. Kunchur, Applied Acoustics, vol. 211,
pp. 109507 (2023).
pdf
file
This comprehensive review represents major advances in our understanding of
auditory neurophysiology and its relationship to audio.
"Hearing and Audio—Part 1: Frequency, Phase, and Time",
M. N. Kunchur, AudioXpress, pp. 56–60 (March 2024).
pdf
file
"Hearing and Audio—Part 2: Auditory Resolution",
M. N. Kunchur, AudioXpress, pp. 64–66 (April 2024).
pdf
file
These
two articles explain various enigmas in audio and clarify common
misunderstandings about musical timbre and the time domain.
"3D imaging in two‐channel stereo sound: portrayal of elevation",
M. N. Kunchur, Applied Acoustics, vol. 175,
pp. 107811 (2021).
pdf
file
First
proof and explanation in its ~70 years history that stereo sound has 3
dimensions.
"Cable pathways between audio components can affect perceived sound quality",
M. N. Kunchur, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society,
vol.
69, pp. 398–409 (2021).
pdf
file
(also please see
the
paper's
official AES Forum)
First IRB documented scientific proof in the entire history of audio that
components other than loudspeakers affect perceived sound quality.
"An electrical study of single-ended analog interconnect cables",
M. N. Kunchur, IOSR Journal of Electronics and
Communication Engineering vol. 16, pp. 40–53 (2021).
pdf
file
New
suite of measurements developed to reveal some of the electrical causes of
fidelity loss in wired transmission.
"Pseudoscience in audio --
a commentary on
the Audio Science Review
YouTube channel", M. N.
Kunchur , September 2022).
pdf
file
The
audio scene is permeated by misinformation and opinions based on incorrect,
incomplete, or obsolete science. Some of these groups close themselves off to
new information and function in a cult like manner -- fiercely clinging onto
nonsense instead of seeking an education.
"Temporal resolution of hearing probed
by bandwidth restriction",
M. N. Kunchur, Acta
Acustica, vol. 94, pp. 594–603 (2008).
pdf
file
"Audibility of temporal smearing and time misalignment of
acoustic signals",
M.
N. Kunchur, Technical Acoustics, 17 (2007).
pdf
file
These two papers provided the first psychoacoustic (i.e.,
through controlled blind listening trials) proof that humans can discern
temporal (timing) alterations in the ~5 microsecond range in periodic signals.
This result is cited in textbooks, review articles, and popular magazine
articles.
Related publications:
Article explaining simple methods for measuring reverberation and other room acoustical parameters, by Caitlin R. Kunchur, OJAppS, vol. 9, 601 (2019). pdf file
Article in popular HiFi magazine summarizing principal results and implications of above papers , by George Foster, HIFICRITIC Vol3/No2 pg.7 (2009). pdf file
Music in the Human Experience: An Introduction to Music Psychology, by Donald A. Hodges and David C. Sebald, pg.96, Ch. 6 (2010). pdf file
