Binaural spatialization in the horizontal plane over a bone conduction headset (BCH) was investigated using inexpensive and commercially available hardware and software components. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum discernable angular difference between two successively spatialized sound sources. Localization accuracy and externalization was also explored. Statistically significant results were observed for angular separations of 10° and above. Localization accuracy was found to be significantly poorer than that seen for previous loudspeaker and headphone based reproduction. Localization errors between 30° – 35° were observed for stimuli presented in front, back, and sides and 92% of the participants reported externalization. The study demonstrates that an acceptable level of spatial resolution and externalization is achievable using an inexpensive bone conduction headset and software components.

Authors: Barde, Amit; Helton, William S.; Lee, Gun; Billinghurst, Mark
Affiliations: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand; University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Australia(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 140 (May 2016) Paper Number: 9556
Publication Date: May 26, 2016 Import into BibTeX
Subject: Perception
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=18254

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