The effects of visual content and gender on optimal listening levels in audio–visual productions

This study investigated the optimal listening level for sounds from audio–visual productions (e.g., TV and DVD content) using a psychophysical experiment based on the method of adjustment. To clarify the effects of visual content and gender on optimal listening levels in a home listening-viewing environment, we compared conditions with and without the simultaneous presentation of visual content. Auditory stimuli were delivered via a pair of loudspeakers, while visual stimuli were presented on a liquid-crystal display to individual female and male participants. The optimal listening level for reproduced sounds was approximately 1 dB higher (up to 2 dB) when visual content was present compared to when it was absent. Display size (16 or 46 inches) did not significantly affect the listening level. Overall, female participants set an optimal listening level approximately 5 dB lower than that of their male counterparts. The influence of visual content on listening level was more pronounced for female participants. Specifically, the presence of visual content increased the optimal listening level among females by an average of 1.7 dB (up to 3.3 dB). This difference in listening level with and without visual content was statistically significant for female participants, but not for males.