What the precedence effect tells us about room acoustics

Sound produced in a room is typically followed by numerous reflected sounds from nearby surfaces; yet we perceive a single sound source. This perceptual phenomenon, known as the precedence effect, has long been assumed to involve echo suppression, but the nature of this suppression remains unclear. In two experiments, we investigated whether information about the lagging sound's location was perceived. Our hypothesis was that such information is critical because reflected sound can function to inform the listener about objects and structures in the room. Listeners reported hearing more echoes under a stimulus situation that simulated sudden, unexpected changes in the location of the lagging sounds, as compared with stable stimulus conditions. Placement of lagging sounds' locations proved to be critical in that a sudden shift per se did not disrupt the fusion aspect of the precedence effect; the new location had to occupy a site that specified a new reflecting surface. Perception of echoes appears to be modulated by room acoustic information contained in reflected sound and listeners' expectations about this.