Sound Quality Improvement of Car Interior Noise Through the Change of Order Spectrum

Order spectrum analysis is widely used to grasp the features of noises due to powertrain system including engine and intake/exhaust system. It is known from many previous researches that order components related to the first and second firing frequencies of engine considerably affect the noise of car interior. The purpose of this paper is to find out the difference in sound quality: Pleasantness of car interior noise according to the change of its order spectrum. For this, car interior noises of 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines are recorded and their order spectrum levels are modified by applying adaptive digital filters. After subjective listening test employing paired comparison method is conducted, it is investigated that the level change of half-order components is a noticeable factor to improve Pleasantness of the car interior noises whereas level decrease of firing order does not always give the positive effect on its sound quality.