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Spectra and Loudnesses of Modern Automobile Horns

1951; Acoustical Society of America; Volume: 23; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1121/1.1906728

1520-9024

D. B. Callaway,

Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research

As one phase of a noise survey of the Chicago area, measurements were made of the acoustic output of commonly used automobile horns. Over-all sound levels on the axis at three feet ranged from 108 to 125 db. Loudness levels ranged from 125 to 140 phons. Fundamental frequencies of all horns ranged between 160 and 380 cps. Two types had approximately harmonic overtones, with large amplitudes below about 2000 cps and smoothly decreasing amplitudes at higher frequencies. A third type, with the most unpleasant sound, had inharmonic overtones, groups of which were greater in amplitude than the fundamental. Sound from a pair of horns at various distances was measured both inside and outside a closed automobile. The over-all level outside was 88 db at 50 feet and 74 db at 300 feet, with corresponding loudness levels of 105 and 82 phons. The over-all level inside was 60 db (loudness level, 72 phons) at 50 feet and 50 db (loudness level, 54 phons) at 300 feet. Filtering out overtones above 1200 cps improved the quality of horn sounds markedly, reducing the loudness level inside the automobile by four phons at 50 feet, but only one phon at 300 feet. Since the typical horn is louder than necessary at close range, use of a low pass acoustic filter on automobile horns appears desirable.