Localized sound zone with directive sound source and vibrotactile shaker in open spaces

Open spaces filled with multiple sound sources playing varied music can lead to discomfort, particularly for those with hearing disabilities, due to the blending of sounds into an indistinct cacophony. Unfortunately, creating localized sound zones presents a significant challenge, with current audio systems struggling to balance high-quality sound, minimal visual impact, reduced equipment, and affordability. This study focuses on improving the listener experience by creating a personal sound zone utilizing both a directional loudspeaker and a vibrotactile shaker and comparing it with other sound system designs. A comparative study evaluated sound quality and confinement, contrasting three commercially available audio solutions with a novel hybrid system named the ’Sound Shower.’ The tested solutions included a High-Fidelity (HiFi) loudspeaker, a vertical parabolic speaker, and a sound laser speaker utilizing ultrasound technology alongside a vibrating platform. The Sound Shower uniquely integrates a parabolic speaker for mid-to-high frequencies with a shaker that delivers low frequencies through tactile vibrations. The results indicate that participants rated the parabolic speaker and the Sound Shower as more effective in creating independent sound zones, where competing music was less intrusive. Additionally, the Sound Shower’s sound quality was comparable to that of the high-fidelity loudspeaker, with no significant difference observed, whereas the other solutions received lower ratings. This study suggests that the hybrid Sound Shower system can match conventional speakers’ sound quality while maintaining a parabolic speaker’s focused audio delivery characteristic.