Male vs female voice recognition

Several studies found that male voices are recognised with more accuracy by voice recognition systems than female voices. Miriam Vogel, president of EqualAI, explains that these devices respond less to certain tones inherent in the female voice.

1. How can you tell the difference between a male and female voice?
2. What is the main difference between in male and female frequency of voices?
3. Why are female voices preferred in AI?
4. Are women's voices harder to hear?

How can you tell the difference between a male and female voice?

In general, the fundamental frequency of a sound is inversely proportional to the size of the source, that is, adults males tend to have voices with a low F0 or low pitch, and adult females tend to have voices with a high F0 or high pitch.

What is the main difference between in male and female frequency of voices?

The Frequency Distinctions

Female voice fundamentals may range from around 350 Hz to 3,000 Hz. Their harmonics go from 3,000 Hz to 17,000 Hz. Male vocal fundamentals start at 100 Hz and top out at about 900 Hz.

Why are female voices preferred in AI?

As tech futurist and author Bernard Marr tells Cosmopolitan UK, “Research might suggest that humans have a preference for the sound of female voices, and studies have found that female voices tend to articulate vowel sounds more clearly which makes them easier to understand.

Are women's voices harder to hear?

The voices of most women and children fall into a higher frequency range – generally 165 to 255 Hertz – while male voices are typically lower frequency at 85 to 180 Hz. Another factor that can make women's and children's voices more difficult to hear is that they are generally softer (less loud) than men's voices.