Distance & Loudness Perception
Can you tell how far away a sound is? Test your ability to judge distance based on volume cues, frequency roll-off, and reverb.
Calibrate Your Ears
Before the test begins, listen to a reference sound moving from Near to Far.
The Science of Audio Distance
In the real world, we don't just hear "loud" or "quiet." We hear distance. Our brains calculate the location of a sound source using complex environmental cues.
Volume (Inverse Square Law)
The most obvious cue. For every doubling of distance, sound pressure level drops by 6 decibels. A sound at 2 meters is one-quarter as loud as it is at 1 meter.
Frequency Absorption
High frequencies carry less energy and are absorbed by air more quickly than low frequencies. Distant sounds appear "muffled" or darker because the treble has dissipated.