ACQUA 5.0.100 provides great flexibility

20. December 2021

ACQUA 5.0.100 is the first iteration of the new generation of the well-established analysis software ACQUA from HEAD acoustics. The significantly reworked structure of ACQUA provides even greater flexibility for future applications than the previous version.

Impressive new features

There are impressive new features, most notably the ‘Workplace Settings’. In this new window, several items regarding hardware, calibration and assignments are collected. Here the user can configure and define his local workplace, including HATS (head and torso simulator), microphones, loudspeakers or radio testers used. All properties for a single hardware item are found in one single place. This more intuitive structure provides greater clarity. Assignments of equalizations, calibrations and corrections are distinctive, hardware setups are easily verifiable. This considerably streamlines working with ACQUA.

Analyzing subjectively perceived loudness

The analysis possibilities have been extended by the new loudness calculation according to Recommendation ITU-T P.700. Thus, not just the traditional loudness rating calculations are available. The new psychoacoustic based loudness calculation allows a much more realistic calculation of the speech loudness perceived by the user. Even non-LTI systems such as AGC and compression schemes can be evaluated. This provides an excellent analysis of all measures integrated by manufacturers targeting the increase of the subjectively perceived loudness without producing excessive sound pressure levels.

Fully integrated: MDAQS unique audio quality evaluation

With ACQUA 5 the new perceptual based audio quality measure MDAQS is integrated in our analysis portfolio for the first time. MDAQS provides unique audio quality evaluation for all types of audio equipment ranging from headsets to loudspeaker arrangements.

More than one HATS

ACQUA 5 addresses the fact that often more than one HATS is used in laboratories. Either these are used for different purposes or more than just one HATS is used for the measurements, e.g. with in-car-communication systems or interfering talkers in smart home applications. Consequently, the DRP/ERP correction can now be configured for each HATS individually.

A variety of additional improvements are found in ACQUA 5, ranging from SMD handling to scripting possibilities up to more optimized database features.