Psychoacoustic evaluation of different methods for creating individualized, headphone-presented VAS from B-format RIRs

Abstract

We evaluate a new technique for synthesizing individualized binaural room impulse responses for headphone-rendered virtual auditory space (VAS) from B-format room impulse responses (RIRs) recorded with a Soundeld micro- phone, and a listener's anechoic head-related impulse responses (HRIRs). Tra- ditionally, B-format RIRs are decoded for loudspeaker playback using either Ambisonics or Spatial Impulse Response Rendering. For headphone playback, virtual loudspeakers are commonly simulated using HRIRs. However, the num- ber and position of loudspeakers should not really be a factor in headphone playback. Hence, we present a new technique for headphone-rendered VAS which is not limited by the number and position of loudspeakers and compare its performance with traditional methods via a psychoacoustic experiment.