At what point does end-to-end delay in a voice conversation become unacceptable?

End-to-end delay in a voice conversation refers to the delay experienced from the moment a voice signal is captured at the sender's end until it is reproduced at the receiver's end. For voice communications to maintain a natural and seamless interaction, it's crucial that this delay is kept within acceptable limits.

A delay approaching 500 milliseconds is often regarded as the threshold beyond which the quality of a conversation noticeably deteriorates. At this point, participants may begin to experience what is known as "talk over," where individuals unintentionally interrupt each other due to the lag in audio transmission. This can make conversations feel more disjointed and less natural, impacting the overall effectiveness of verbal communication.

Delays below this threshold can still allow for a reasonable flow of conversation, typically maintaining a sense of immediacy and engagement between speakers. However, once the delay approaches 500 ms, it becomes increasingly challenging for speakers to manage conversation dynamics effectively. Achieving a balance that facilitates natural dialogue is essential for effective voice communication, and understanding these delay thresholds helps in designing systems that ensure smooth interactions.