Sound localization with multi-loudspeakers by usage of a coincident microphone array

Abstract

We examine multi-channel microphone arrangements to achieve precise and stable sound image localization in the horizontal plane when multi-loudspeakers are used. In this paper, six different coincident microphone arrays, cardioid microphones with different directions, are tested. We derive equations to model the system and define a system evaluation measure. The sound localization assessment shows that our equations approximately agree with the assessment results, and that the system evaluation measure must suit the microphone arrangement used. These results confirm that while the perception of lateral localization is difficult, three of the six arrays provide good sound localization. Last, we clarify that the coincident microphone array can also provide stable sound localization in multi-channel recording.