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Journal Article Open Access

Vertical Stereophonic Localization in the Presence of Interchannel Crosstalk: the Analysis of Frequency-Dependent Localization Thresholds

Authors: Wallis, Rory; Lee, Hyunkook

Journal of the Audio Engineering Society · Volume 64 · Issue 10 · pp. 762–770 · October 2016

Abstract

Audio engineers are increasingly looking to improve the spatial experience of surround sound by including loudspeakers in the vertical domain, so-called height channels. Listening tests were conducted to investigate the frequency dependency of localization thresholds on vertical interchannel crosstalk. The effect of frequency on localization was significant: thresholds were highest at low frequencies (-5.3 dB at 125 Hz and -3.03 dB at 250 Hz), falling to between -9 dB and -10.5 dB as the frequency increased beyond 1000 Hz. When configuring 3D microphone arrays, cardioid microphones would be a more appropriate choice for the height layer than omnidirectional microphones with regard to localizing source images near the main loudspeaker layer position. To better create a vertical phantom image, different localization thresholds could be applied to different frequency bands of the height channel signal. Control of localization thresholds can be achieved by manipulating the levels of single-octave bands within the height-channel signal rather than by manipulating the signal as a whole.

Details

Publication
Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
Volume
64
Issue
10
Pages
762–770
Publication date
October 6, 2016
Affiliation
Applied Psychoacoustics Laboratory (APL), University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Journal Article