Loudness compensation

Loudness compensation activated on a NAD amplifier.

Loudness compensation, or simply loudness, is a setting found on some hi-fi equipment that increases the level of the high and low frequencies.[1] This is intended to be used while listening at low-volume levels, to compensate for the fact that as the loudness of audio decreases, the ear's lower sensitivity to extreme high and low frequencies may cause these signals to fall below the threshold of hearing.[2] As a result audio material may become thin sounding at low volumes, losing bass and treble. The loudness compensation feature applies equalization and is intended to rectify this situation.[3]

  1. ^ "Audyssey Laboratories' Dynamic EQ". About.com - Stereos. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07.
  2. ^ Bench, Steve (2004-09-07). "Pole Zero Analysis - Part 3 : Loudness Compensation". Steve's Vacuum Tube Related Web Site. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  3. ^ Foley, Mark. "Loudness And The Fletcher-Munson Curve". Retrieved 2018-10-01.