Abstract
The “spectral compensation effect” (Watkins, 1991) describes a decrease in perceptual sensitivity to spectral modifications caused by the transmission channel (e.g., loudspeakers, listening rooms). Few studies have examined this effect: its extent and perceptual mechanisms are not confirmed. The extent to which compensation affects the perception of sounds colored by loudspeakers and other channels should be determined. This compensation has been mainly studied with speech. Evidence suggests that speech engages special perceptual mechanisms, so compensation might not occur with non-speech sounds. The current study provides evidence of compensation for spectrum in nonspeech tests: channel coloration was reduced by approximately 20%.