AES E-Library

Headphone Virtualization: Improved Localization and Externalization of Non-Individualized HRTFs by Cluster Analysis

Research and experimentation is described that aims to prove the hypothesis that by allowing a listener to choose a single non-individualized profile of HRTFs from a subset of maximally different best representative profiles extracted from a database improved localization, and externalization can be achieved for the listener. k-means cluster analysis of entire impulse responses is used to identify the subset of profiles. Experimentation in a controlled environment shows that test subjects who were offered a choice of a preferred HRTF profile were able to consistently discriminate between a front center or rear center virtualized sound source 78.6% of the time, compared with 64.3% in a second group given an arbitrary HRTF profile. Similar results were obtained from virtualizations in uncontrolled environments.

Authors: Tame, Robert P.; Barchiese, Daniele; Klapuri, Anssi
Affiliations: DTS, Inc., Bangor, County Down, UK; Queen Mary University of London, London, UK(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention:133 (October 2012) Paper Number:8757 Import into BibTeX
Subject:Spatial Audio

Click to purchase paper or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!

This paper costs $20 for non-members, $5 for AES members and is free for E-Library subscribers.

Learn more about the AES E-Library

E-Library Location: (CD 133Papers)   /conv/133/8757.pdf

Start a discussion about this paper!