Everybody with Windows Media Player knows what SRS WOW effects are, but how do they work? What exactly goes on, under the scenes, that makes even mono audio sound wider? Is it some sort of delay on certain frequencies, or what?
SRS WOW effects
- Thread starter kevinthenerd
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Greetings,
Generally, to create an illusion of loudness on small speakers one would introduce a bit of distortion into the stream along with boosting and cutting frequencies here and there to trick the brain into thinking its a louder, fuller sound. The distortion technique has been around for a while and it used on Public Address systems. Most of the Bogen gold seal series distribution amps have a button called "Aural Exciter" or something of the nature that introduces this distortion. It might sound better at first but can cause damage if you are pushing your speakers.
The other effects can be created by adding delayed reverb, etc. and with some fancy signal processing (if the person is sitting in the right spot) and one can make it sound like something is coming from behind
Technically here's the spin they give it:
"WOW is actually an integration of 3 unique sound effects: 3D Sound, Focus and TruBass.
<P class=copy><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>3D Sound retrieves the spatial information from any stereo recording and restores the original three dimensional sound field. The result is a much fuller, realistic and rich sound experience. Focus corrects for the positioning of a sound source by selectively shaping the frequency characteristics of the input signal. The result is an optimal sound image, regardless of the location of speakers, headphones, etc. When combined with 3D Sound, Focus creates a completely immersive sound experience, much like that which was experienced at the time of recording. TruBass provides deep, rich bass to small speaker systems without the need for a subwoofer. For systems with a subwoofer, TruBass complements and improves the bass performance. TruBass technology actually monitors the low-frequency content of an audio signal and continuously optimizes the frequency and amplitude spectrum of the output signal. The result is a fuller bass perception without some of the traditional side effects (vibrating walls, sound distortion, etc.)
"
I have tried the built in effects in MusicMatch and unless you're listening to a horrible compressed recording (MP3 files for example) or over those little Klipsch speakers that everyone is so fond of, don't bother</FONT>
Generally, to create an illusion of loudness on small speakers one would introduce a bit of distortion into the stream along with boosting and cutting frequencies here and there to trick the brain into thinking its a louder, fuller sound. The distortion technique has been around for a while and it used on Public Address systems. Most of the Bogen gold seal series distribution amps have a button called "Aural Exciter" or something of the nature that introduces this distortion. It might sound better at first but can cause damage if you are pushing your speakers.
The other effects can be created by adding delayed reverb, etc. and with some fancy signal processing (if the person is sitting in the right spot) and one can make it sound like something is coming from behind
Technically here's the spin they give it:
"WOW is actually an integration of 3 unique sound effects: 3D Sound, Focus and TruBass.
<P class=copy><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>3D Sound retrieves the spatial information from any stereo recording and restores the original three dimensional sound field. The result is a much fuller, realistic and rich sound experience. Focus corrects for the positioning of a sound source by selectively shaping the frequency characteristics of the input signal. The result is an optimal sound image, regardless of the location of speakers, headphones, etc. When combined with 3D Sound, Focus creates a completely immersive sound experience, much like that which was experienced at the time of recording. TruBass provides deep, rich bass to small speaker systems without the need for a subwoofer. For systems with a subwoofer, TruBass complements and improves the bass performance. TruBass technology actually monitors the low-frequency content of an audio signal and continuously optimizes the frequency and amplitude spectrum of the output signal. The result is a fuller bass perception without some of the traditional side effects (vibrating walls, sound distortion, etc.)
"
I have tried the built in effects in MusicMatch and unless you're listening to a horrible compressed recording (MP3 files for example) or over those little Klipsch speakers that everyone is so fond of, don't bother</FONT>
Which frequencies?
That's cool. They probably do that where I work.
But it's that fancy signal processing that I'd like to understand. Where can I go to learn everything there is to know about psycho-acoustics? Why do sounds seem like they're behind me when the sound itself originated from in front of me? Exactly how does that reverb work? I'm quite familiar with reverb and such, but I can't figure out exactly what they've done.
I listen to a lot of stuff that was recorded with analog equipment, such as certain performances of classical music or of Gregorian Chant. It's hard to find that stuff in high-quality recordings without it being a top-40 piece (such as Beethoven's 5th). I'm more interested in obscure pieces with few high-quality recordings available. (In fact, I end up sequencing it myself and converting it from MIDI to WAV using an extremely good freeware converter I found. It sounds better than any Audigy wavetable I've heard.)
My problem with SRS WOW effects, however, is that I get a lot of harmonic distortion when certain harmonies are encountered in the music. The reverb frequencies they use, I guess, harshly conflict with the human ear tuning used in many of those aformentioned pieces. If I can somehow figure out how they do it, I can tweak it myself.
I've already tried using a Winamp plugin for this, but I'd like to know more about it.
SRS WOW effect sound processing does not always work very good. I believe it may have conflicts with other software and/or hardware that may be used on various PC systems. I have a Dell system with a small sub-woofer and two small desk speaker-stands which have two separate speakers on each stand(they are about the size of a large aerosol can).
When ever I try to use the SRS WOW effects, I get some fairly bad tone and volume issues. The music tone will suddenly drop and then return to normal. This happens sometimes with the higher ranges or the bass ranges, sometimes one at a time or occasionally together(which makes the music sound as if the speakers have suddenly been stuffed into suitcase and closed up). The duration of the distortion last about 3 to 5 seconds, then returns to 'normal'(which doesn't sound very good in the first place).
I leave the SRS effects off and ignore them, for me they are useless.
---
Hi,
Welcome to AnandTech Forums. I locked the thread because the previous reply was over ten years ago.
Our members refer to such posts as "necro" posts, and some of them tend to post replies ranging from sarcastic to hostile, including possible accusations of spamming, whether warranted or not.
You are welcome to continue posting on our forums. Thanks for understanding. We hope you enjoy yourself on our forums.
Harvey
Senior AnandTech Moderator/Administrator
When ever I try to use the SRS WOW effects, I get some fairly bad tone and volume issues. The music tone will suddenly drop and then return to normal. This happens sometimes with the higher ranges or the bass ranges, sometimes one at a time or occasionally together(which makes the music sound as if the speakers have suddenly been stuffed into suitcase and closed up). The duration of the distortion last about 3 to 5 seconds, then returns to 'normal'(which doesn't sound very good in the first place).
I leave the SRS effects off and ignore them, for me they are useless.
---
Hi,
Welcome to AnandTech Forums. I locked the thread because the previous reply was over ten years ago.
Our members refer to such posts as "necro" posts, and some of them tend to post replies ranging from sarcastic to hostile, including possible accusations of spamming, whether warranted or not.
You are welcome to continue posting on our forums. Thanks for understanding. We hope you enjoy yourself on our forums.
Harvey
Senior AnandTech Moderator/Administrator
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