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Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

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Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#481

Post by tensor »

ahmedfromtunis wrote: post #48

I think it's time for some sort of a safety standard for a sound frequency to be reserved exclusively for alarm/alert use and that ANC systems have to let through. It goes without saying, use of said frequency should be prohibited for other purposes, especially marketing.

With all the road noise and now noise makers required even for silent EVs, noise cancelling headphones are the last resort for people to get some relief from the constant noise pollution in cities.

And now you want to take that away too? No thanks. I get safety is important, but so is relief from noise pollution. Noise pollution is very damaging to your health. There needs to be a balance, and currently the safety police are weighing the scales inappropriately low.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#482

Post by tensor »

loco5niner wrote: post #327
grvbck wrote: post #319

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know… If I'm sitting at home or at a cafe working, I want my headphones to block all bicycle bells and ambulances on the street. Those in traffic could perhaps just turn their ANC off?

... and fire alarms? carbon monoxide detectors?

There is no ANC that can block those, both because of volume and also because ANC only blocks constant noises like hums. It's terrible and sudden noises like alarms and honking.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#483

Post by kzrdude »

literalAardvark wrote: post #255
serial_dev wrote: post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not only about preventing accidents (but I do believe it prevents some to attempt answering your question). It's also about signaling to someone that they might be doing something wrong or they might not be paying attention. For pedestrians it takes significantly less time and distance to stop, for cars, trams, and bicycles, it takes longer. It happens all the time that pedestrians don't know the customs of a co…

My experiences on a motorcycle tell me that if you feel the need to honk you should be focusing on braking and evasive maneuvers instead. The choice between between teaching some midwit the law and going home in one piece seems crystal clear to me. In a couple of years of riding I think the horn would have very slightly helped maybe... once or twice. If the other guy would have heard it at all which is doubtful.

As someone who cycles daily, the bell is less aggressive than a car horn and it's a useful signaling tool about every other day. I need to signal that I'm approaching from behind pedestrians, especially if they are walking without any safe gaps for me to pass them through.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#484

Post by johnfn »

jmalicki wrote: post #480

Is there an interpretation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act where using this bicycle bell to circumvent the computer system used in your headphones for active noise cancellation would be a federal felony in the United States?

Be careful with that because then bikers are just going to start using car horns.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#485

Post by john_strinlai »

jmalicki wrote: post #480

Is there an interpretation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act where using this bicycle bell to circumvent the computer system used in your headphones for active noise cancellation would be a federal felony in the United States?

probably. i am pretty sure you can spin up a CFAA violation with some string and 2 cups.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#486

Post by Animats »

Retr0id wrote: post #291

I'm very sceptical of their claims that ~780Hz is in some way special, especially the way they represent it graphically. Playing a frequency sweep while wearing WH-1000XM3 headphones, I don't notice any particular drop-off there. Near where I live, heavy goods vehicles are fitted with reversing indicators that make a "cshh cshh cshh" sound i.e. pulsed white-noise. White noise like that is the hardest for ANC to cance…

Right. From the article:

Through acoustic testing, the research team identified a narrow frequency band – a “safety gap” – capable of penetrating ANC headphone filters. This range lies between 750 and 780 Hz.

Is there a standard specifying this "safety band"? Is whatever Apple does for AirPods a de-facto standard?

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#487

Post by BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 »

There's been the odd idiot wearing headphones mowed down on train tracks. The trains air horn didn't get the message through.

The Air Zound is wonderful. You can get pedestrians' attention with light toots. I reserve the full blast for developing danger or people who didn't get the message from the toots.

Survival depends on being heard in a car with closed windows with possible loud radio or squabbling kids.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#488

Post by mikkupikku »

izacus wrote: post #471
mikkupikku wrote: post #409

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you think I'm not aware of this? Did I not just explain how different people who do the activity have different perspectives, priorities and proclivities? Did I not just explain how I disagree with the way some cyclists conduct themselves, while plainly being aware that not all cyclists are like this? Maybe none of this way apparent to you, despite it being plainly written out in simple English, because... I d…

And yet you immediately started with an anti-cyclist whine while ignoring pretty much everyone else. These debates are so stupidly tiresome.

You have brain worms, I started by explaining that I am a cyclist. Obviously not all cyclists are particular ones I disagree with.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#489

Post by SoleilAbsolu »

Retr0id wrote: post #291

I'm very sceptical of their claims that ~780Hz is in some way special, especially the way they represent it graphically. Playing a frequency sweep while wearing WH-1000XM3 headphones, I don't notice any particular drop-off there. Near where I live, heavy goods vehicles are fitted with reversing indicators that make a "cshh cshh cshh" sound i.e. pulsed white-noise. White noise like that is the hardest for ANC to cance…

Me too, as soon as I saw this I put on my Anker Soundcore noise-cancelling earbuds and fired up my AAS Multiphonics CV-3 software synthesizer. Sweeping a sine oscillator, there was zero difference in perceived volume in the 750-780 Hz range.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#490

Post by dhosek »

BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 wrote: post #487

There's been the odd idiot wearing headphones mowed down on train tracks. The trains air horn didn't get the message through. The Air Zound is wonderful. You can get pedestrians' attention with light toots. I reserve the full blast for developing danger or people who didn't get the message from the toots. Survival depends on being heard in a car with closed windows with possible loud radio or squabbling kids.

It may have been intentional. More than one suicide by train has involved the person who died by suicide wearing headphones as they walked on the tracks (it was clear that it was a suicide and not intentional as engineers have reported the person looking at the train when the horn was sounded but not leaving the tracks).
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