Subjective evaluation of a virtual acoustic system: Trials with three-dimensional sound field reproduced by the 'Sound Cask'

Abstract

It has been necessary to establish subjective measures for the performance of the virtual acoustic systems. In this paper, we report our trials to evaluate the performance of a three-dimensional sound field reproduction system based on the boundary surface control principle, the 'Sound Cask'. First, we introduce our investigations for the experts of audio engineering in order to clarify the difference of auditory impression between the Sound Cask and conventional audio systems. Second, we report psychological and physiological experiments focusing on the advantageous points of the Sound Cask, localization performance and a clear sense of reality, that were pointed out in the investigations for the experts. Finally, we discuss the issues to be considered for subjective evaluation of virtual acoustic systems for future studies. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.