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Convention Paper

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

Authors: Tame, Robert P.; Barchiese, Daniele; Klapuri, Anssi

AES Convention 133 · Paper 8757 · October 2012

Abstract

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.

Details

Published in
AES Convention 133
AES Convention
133
Paper number
8757
Publication date
October 6, 2012
Session subject
Spatial Audio
Affiliation
DTS, Inc., Bangor, County Down, UK; Queen Mary University of London, London, UK (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Convention Paper