The sound-source localization provided by a crosstalk cancellation (CTC) system depends on the head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) used for the CTC filter calculation. In this study, the horizontal- and sagittal-plane localization performance was investigated in humans listening to individualized matched, individualized but mismatched, and non-individualized CTC systems. The systems were simulated via headphones in a binaural virtual environment with two virtual loudspeakers spatialized in front of the listener. The individualized mismatched system was based on two different sets of listener-individual HRTFs. Both sets provided similar binaural localization performance in terms of quadrant, polar, and lateral errors. The individualized matched systems provided performance similar to that from the binaural listening. For the individualized mismatched systems, the performance deteriorated, and for the non-individualized mismatched systems (based on HRTFs from other listeners), the performance deteriorated even more. The direction-dependent analysis showed that mismatch and lack of individualization yielded a substantially degraded performance for targets placed outside of the loudspeaker span and behind the listeners, showing relevance of individualized CTC systems for those targets. Further, channel separation was calculated for different frequency ranges and is discussed in the light of its use as a predictor for the localization performance provided by a CTC system.
Binaural stimuli presented via headphones need to be plausible in localization and sound coloration for a successful reproduction of an acoustic scene, especially for experiments on auditory selective attention. The goal is to provide artificially generated acoustic scenes in a way that the difference between a real situation and an artificially generated situation has no influence in psychoacoustic experiments. The quality and reliability of binaural reproduction via headphones comparing two different microphone setups (miniature microphone in open dome and ear plug) used for individualized Head-Related Transfer Functions and headphone transfer function measurements is analyzed. Listening tests are carried out focusing on authenticity, naturalness and distinguishability in a direct comparison of real sources and binaural reproduction via headphones. Results for three different stimuli (speech, music, pink noise) are discussed.
A room-acoustic situation with many sources is one of the best examples for auditory selective attention – relevant information should be selectively observed and irrelevant information should be ignored. In a joint research project between Acoustics and Psychology at RWTH Aachen University the intentional switching of auditory selective attention is examined using dichotic and binaural presentation of the stimuli. The goal is to provide artificially generated acoustic scenes (e.g. typical classroom situation, open plan offices etc.), as in psychoacoustic experiments on auditory selective attention no differences between a real situation and an artificially generated situation occur. Therefore at first we investigate various binaural reproduction and equalization methods using experiments in auditory selective attention. Headphones must always be adequately equalized if they are to deliver high perceptual plausibility. However, the transfer function between headphones and ear drums varies between different persons. Because of this, individual equalizations with different microphone positions in the ear canal are measured. In listening tests the overall quality of the equalization methods is to be rated regarding localization and realism, envelopment as well as immersion. First results concerning the psychoacoustic experiments, the scene generation as well as headphone equalization will be presented.
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