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Its easy to show that higher ordered harmonics are what the ear uses

to sense sound pressure.

You can demonstrate this for yourself with simple test equipment. You need an amplifier, speaker, some sort of meter (VU meter works best, you can also use a sound pressure level app on your phone) and a sine/squarewave generator.

Run the sine wave thru the amp and speaker and set to a comfortable level. If using a VU meter, 0VU.

Cover up the meter and turn down the volume, switch to square wave and then turn up the volume until it sounds just as loud. Uncover the meter and you'll see that the ear uses higher ordered harmonics to sense sound pressure.

The fact that a 3rd harmonic can mask higher orders in loudspeakers has been known for some time. Its no different in amplifiers. The key is the relationship between the various harmonics. The 2nd or 3rd must be prodigious enough compared to the higher orders that the ear only hears the 2nd or 3rd (as a 'warmth' coloration, which is not annoying).


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