- Joined
- Jun 19, 2018
- Messages
- 6,652
- Likes
- 9,410
If one then turns that exact same filter with the same Q into a linear phase filter the graph shows that much of the pre-ringing will no longer be masked.
So masking indeed says that linear phase is more audible than minimal phase.
Ok sure
But are you certain that all linear phase FIR filters will exceed the masking thresholds at all frequencies (have never tried to calculate this myself)?
And you need to keep in mind that the pre-ringing will only occur off-axis, which means that to apply the masking thresholds to it you'll need to compare the SPL of off-axis reflections against the SPL of the direct sound, taking into account the delay caused by the longer path length of the reflected sound.
So let's say the reflection arrives 10 ms later than the direct sound (which would be the case for a path length difference of about 3 metres): pre-ringing occurring less than 10ms before the signal will arrive at the listener coincident with and/or following the signal, and so will be subject to simultaneous and/or post-masking thresholds (depending on the duration of the signal) rather than pre-masking thresholds.
Also, masking says that linear phase FIR ringing is more likely to be audible than minimum phase ringing, all else being equal. But this statement doesn't take group delay into account. There are still too many unknowns IMHO to make a definitive statement as to which is more likely to be audible overall, or indeed even as to whether the typical types of filters used in both cases are likely to be audible at all...
Last edited: