Towards a new Dummy Head?

61] In addition to conventional measurement microphones, dummy heads are more and more used for physical as well as subjective noise evaluation. Within the DIN, a study group (A2 AK8) was formed, analyzing features of commercially available dummy heads. It was found that mainly because of geometrically different shells, different dummy heads produce different sound images. In practical applications, the resulting differences in perceived sound quality can lead to serious problems: If for example the power train department of a car manufacturer uses dummy head A, but quality control dummy head B, different evaluations of the sound quality may occur. An obvious solution to the compatibility problem of different dummy heads could be that all manufacturers of dummy heads use the same (new) standardized shell which provides for identical geometric features. Before engaging in such an enormous project, colleagues using dummy heads in the context of sound quality design or sound engineering were asked about their opinion. They had to answer two questions: (1) Whether they would welcome a standardized new shell for dummy heads, and (2) How much they would pay for a possible retrofit. Answers were collected in the USA by Patricia Davies, in Japan by Masao Ishihama, and in Europe by Hugo Fastl. The results show that the majority of the dummy head users who responded would welcome a new standardized shell for dummy heads, and they would be prepared to pay for a retrofit on the average 25 % of the original price or 5 000 US-Dollars.