Which of the following is an acoustic parameter of voice?

• A. Perceptual parameter
• B. Fundamental frequency (F0)
• C. Harmonic Power
• D. Timbre

Answer: (B)

Acoustic parameters are objective measurements taken from the voice signal itself. The fundamental frequency is the rate at which the vocal folds vibrate, so it directly reflects the physical source of the voice and determines pitch. It can be measured in hertz from the waveform or spectrum, making it a true acoustic property of the voice signal rather than a listener’s judgment. Perceptual parameters describe how the voice is experienced by listeners, such as how pitch or quality feels to us. Timbre is a perceptual attribute that stems from the spectral content and envelope of the sound, not a single direct physical measurement. Harmonic power relates to how energy is distributed across harmonics, which is a spectral feature but not as fundamental a descriptor of the voice’s source as the primary vibration rate. Therefore, fundamental frequency is the best answer.