Saundersonare

Saundersonare is a term used in experimental acoustics and sound art to describe a perceptual phenomenon in which a sound is perceived to change its spatial location and timbral character as environmental conditions or playback systems change. The effect arises from the interaction of binaural cues, room acoustics, and dynamic spectral processing, so that listeners may experience a sound as if it morphs when heard on headphones versus loudspeakers or as the room impulse response evolves.

Etymology and origins: The coinage combines the surname Saunderson with the Italian infinitive suffix -are; its first documented use appeared in late 2010s experimental writings and gallery wall texts, without a formal consensus definition. The term remains informal and not widely standardized.

Characteristics: Saundersonare typically involves controlled manipulation of impulse responses, cross-fading of spectral components, and adaptive panning to exploit psychoacoustic tendencies such as cue warping and spectral flattening. It emphasizes listener-specific perception and may require interactive or adaptive audio rendering.

Applications: The concept is primarily discussed in the context of sound installations, immersive audio, and experimental music, where artists seek to reveal the sensitivity of perception to playback configuration and room acoustics.

See also: Auditory illusion, psychoacoustics, timbre morphing, spatial audio.

Note: This is a hypothetical concept that remains informal and not widely standardized, and new usages may emerge as practice evolves.