Perceptual Evaluation of Individualized Binaural Reproduction Using a Virtual Artificial Head

Rasumow E, Blau M, Doclo S, Par SVD, Hansen M, Püschel D, Mellert V. Perceptual Evaluation of Individualized Binaural Reproduction Using a Virtual Artificial Head. J Audio Eng Soc. 2017;65(6):448-459. doi:10.17743/jaes.2017.0012

@article{Rasumow2017_18778,
  author = {Rasumow, Eugen and Blau, Matthias and Doclo, Simon and Par, Steven van de and Hansen, Martin and Püschel, Dirk and Mellert, Volker},
  title = {{Perceptual Evaluation of Individualized Binaural Reproduction Using a Virtual Artificial Head}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {65},
  number = {6},
  pages = {448--459},
  year = {2017},
  month = jun,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2017.0012},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2017.0012}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceptual Evaluation of Individualized Binaural Reproduction Using a Virtual Artificial Head
AU  - Rasumow, Eugen
AU  - Blau, Matthias
AU  - Doclo, Simon
AU  - Par, Steven van de
AU  - Hansen, Martin
AU  - Püschel, Dirk
AU  - Mellert, Volker
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 65
IS  - 6
SP  - 448
EP  - 459
PY  - 2017
DA  - 2017/06/06
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2017.0012
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2017.0012
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - In binaural recordings, spatial information can be captured by using an artificial head that emulates a real human head having average anthropometric geometries and with ear microphones. Because artificial heads are generic without the individual characteristics of the actual listener, recordings often produce perceptual deficiencies such as front-back confusion and internalized source images. Alternatively, individually measured head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) can be approximately synthesized using a microphone array in conjunction with a filter-and-sum beamformer, called a virtual artificial head (VAH). This approach allows for the possibility of adapting a recording to an individual’s HRTF in the recording studio by an appropriate modification of the directivity pattern of the VAH. In this study, binaural reproductions using the VAH, two traditional artificial heads, and individual HRTFs were perceptually evaluated in the horizontal plane with respect to the original free-field presentation. The results show that individual HRTFs in conjunction with individually equalized headphone transfer function result in the best subjective appraisals. The ratings obtained for the VAH-setup indicate a high level of acceptance among the subjects. Mean ratings were often good to excellent.
ER  -