Improvement of the virtual acoustic for headphones by considering shoulder rotation relative to the head

Georg Koller
17.09.2007 - 15.12.2008

Wissenschaftliches Toningenieur-Projekt

Human auditory perception deduced most of the directional localization of sound events from level- and time differences (ILD, ITD) of incident sounds on both ears. In virtual acoustics, this is simulated by head-related, frequency-dependent filters (HRTFs).

In practical measurements of these filters, either the head or a rigid geometry between head and shoulder is considered. However recent studies have shown that the rotation of the head relative to the shoulder axis has strong effects on the HRTFs in some areas.

Consequently, the head rotation in these areas also affects aural perception and directional localization. With the help of further filters, this influence on the HRTFs can be reproduced.

In this project, an existing virtual acoustics environment for headphones (real-time compliant binaural ambisonic system controlled by a tracking system) will be expanded with this reproduction of the shoulder rotation. Finally this extended system, which also includes the relative dynamic rotation between head and shoulders, will be examined in a listening test.