Editing Sound quality (section)

{{short description|Assessment of the audio output from an electronic device}}
{{redirect|Sound Quality|the Australian radio program|Sound Quality (radio program)}}{{for|musical use|timbre}}
{{missing information|ways to quantify / qualify: various [[audio system measurements]], listening test methodologies such as [[MUSHRA]] and [[mean opinion score]]; specific methods that take into account "different but better", e.g. Frechet Audio Distance|date=August 2023}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2013}}

[[File:Microphone and cover.JPG|thumb|Microphone covers are occasionally used to improve sound quality by reducing noise from wind.]]

'''Sound quality''' is typically an assessment of the accuracy, fidelity, or [[Intelligibility (communication)|intelligibility]] of [[sound|audio]] output from an electronic device. Quality can be measured objectively, such as when tools are used to gauge the accuracy with which the device reproduces an original sound; or it can be measured subjectively, such as when human listeners respond to the sound or gauge its ''perceived'' similarity to another sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/timbre.html|title=Sound Quality or Timbre|website=hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu|access-date=2017-04-13}}</ref>

The sound quality of a reproduction or recording depends on a number of factors, including the equipment used to make it,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/131462-quality-of-sound-and-the-tech-behind-it-what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-speaker|title=Quality of sound and the tech behind it: What to look for when choosing a speaker - Pocket-lint|website=www.pocket-lint.com|language=en|access-date=2017-04-13}}</ref> processing and mastering done to the recording, the equipment used to reproduce it, as well as the listening environment used to reproduce it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.passmyexams.co.uk/GCSE/physics/pitch-loudness-quality-of-musical-notes.html|title=Pitch, Loudness and Quality of Musical Notes - Pass My Exams: Easy exam revision notes for GSCE Physics|website=www.passmyexams.co.uk|access-date=2017-04-13}}</ref>  In some cases, processing such as [[Equalization (audio)|equalization]], [[dynamic range compression]] or [[3D audio effect|stereo processing]] may be applied to a recording to create audio that is significantly different from the original but may be perceived as more agreeable to a listener.  In other cases, the goal may be to reproduce audio as closely as possible to the original.

When applied to specific electronic devices, such as [[loudspeakers]], [[microphones]], [[amplifiers]] or [[headphones]] sound quality usually refers to accuracy, with higher quality devices providing higher accuracy reproduction.  When applied to processing steps such as [[Audio mastering|mastering]] recordings, absolute accuracy may be secondary to artistic or aesthetic concerns.  In still other situations, such as recording a live musical performance, audio quality may refer to proper placement of microphones around a room to optimally use [[room acoustics]].