Audio dissertation topic for PhD

[rtarbell]

A general question to all:

Are there audio topics (specific to circuit design) that you believe could be used as PhD research and/or the subject of a dissertation?

I told a potential advisor of mine about my interest in audio, and he told me that designing a circuit or circuit idea would be a tough sell as a dissertation topic for school. Any ideas about an audio circuit idea that merrits attention?

[HFGuy]

Hey, iam currently doing a masters and thinking about a phd. You have to remember getting a phd itself isnt worth alot. You really do need publications. The only way to get those are to be doing research in active feilds. If you look on the iEEE explore you will note that almost all research related to audio is in class D amps. And where do you plan to get a job after you finish your audio related phd ?

[Cal Weldon]

Originally posted by HFGuy
And where do you plan to get a job after you finish your audio related phd ?

You become a speaker doctor of course.

[anatech]

Hi Fellas,
Check this guy out. He's pretty good at getting those looks at AES meetings. His approach is from a math model.

Yup, Stanley Lipshitz. Interesting fellow. Almost everyone in audio knows how he is.

-Chris

[HFGuy]

when he mentioned circuit design i assume he is an elec eng student.

[anatech]

Hi HFGuy,
Yes, but Mr. Stanley Lipshitz is relevant to audio design and circuit design, also as an example of the types of papers that can be written.

Audio design skills are transferable to power supply design, servo design and vibration analysis directly. I'm sure many other areas utilize the same skill set.

-Chris

[Randy Knutson]

What about trying to find a measurable parameter between the subjective differences of different amplifier topologies /classes? I think something like that could be extremely interesting and useful to the audio community.

Perhaps if you knew someone with perfect pitch you could compare them in a double blind listening test against an average group and see how each groups responds.

-=Randy Knutson
Mankato MN

[jneutron]

Originally posted by rtarbell
Are there audio topics (specific to circuit design) that you believe could be used as PhD research and/or the subject of a dissertation?

I told a potential advisor of mine about my interest in audio, and he told me that designing a circuit or circuit idea would be a tough sell as a dissertation topic for school. Any ideas about an audio circuit idea that merrits attention?

Getting the degree is difficult enough..so, in light of that, you decide also to try something that is going to be a tough sell??

Put casts on both legs and arms, duct tape your eyes shut so that it is even MORE difficult..

Have more discussions with potential advisors to come up with something they would be more inclined to like. Don't slap your judge across the face just before the trial, unless your trying for an insanity plea..

Originally posted by HFGuy
Hey, iam currently doing a masters and thinking about a phd. You have to remember getting a phd itself isnt worth alot. You really do need publications. The only way to get those are to be doing research in active feilds. If you look on the iEEE explore you will note that almost all research related to audio is in class D amps. And where do you plan to get a job after you finish your audio related phd ?

The process by which you aquire the PhD is the valuable aspect, not the topic of the dissertation. The chances of setting the world on fire with the thesis is not zero, but close.

Cheers, John

[HFGuy]

The point of doing a Phd is to be a leader, you are expected to make a contribution to your area of study. Doing what everyone else does isnt what is wanted. A survey type thesis on the subjective nature of amp topologies would be an impossbile sale as jneutron mentioned.

[SY]

What about trying to find a measurable parameter between the subjective differences of different amplifier topologies /classes?

You'll never get that one past any competent committee.