3D Sound Reproduction

Abstract

Computer simulations of acoustic scenes are an important prerequisite for rendering. Technology for 3D sound reproduction, the so-called audio front-end or the acoustic human-machine interface, is an essential component of VR systems, which must be capable of fulfilling high-quality standards concerning the psychoacoustically relevant cues. These cues may differ from one VR application to the next. Some applications require an exact localization, while for others monaural spectral features like reproduction with exact loudness and timbre are more important. In this chapter we focus on electroacoustic technology for surround sound reproduction. It concerns headphone and loudspeaker technology and audio formats which can be used as data interface between systems (Fig. 17.1).