Auditory Distortion Products f2−f1 and 2f1−f2

Abstract

Two primary tones of frequencies f1=350 to 1500 Hz and f2=1.1 to 1.5 times f1 were presented monaurally at 60 to 80 dB SPL. Nonlinear distortion products at both f2−f1 and 2f1−f2 were made to beat against low-intensity probe tones slightly mistuned from the frequency of the distortion product. Subjects adjusted the amplitude and phase of cancellation tones at the frequency of the distortion products to eliminate the beating. The amplitude and phase of the 2f1−f2 cancellation tone agree with earlier observations [J. L. Goldstein, J. Acoust Soc. Amer. 41, 676–689 (1967)]. The amplitude and phase angle of the f2−f1 cancellation tone decrease with an increase of either f1 or f2/f1.