The case of the missing 6 dB

Abstract

[Human] subjects (15) participated in 8 experimental comparisons using 3-9 subjects each, with sufficient replications so that most subjects'' MAP/MAF [minimum audible pressure (earphone) minimum audible field (loudspeaker)] and/or loudness differences were determined within 1 or 2 dB at the 95% confidence level. Previous results were replicated using previous methods, but with these modified methods, the average difference across experiments was < 0.2 dB, and no subject in any experiment exhibited more than a 1.8-dB difference averaged across trials. The case of the missing 6 dB should be considered closed.