Research and experimentation is described that aims to prove the hypothesis that by allowing a listener to choose a single non-individualized profile of HRTFs from a subset of maximally different best representative profiles extracted from a database improved localization, and externalization can be achieved for the listener. k-means cluster analysis of entire impulse responses is used to identify the subset of profiles. Experimentation in a controlled environment shows that test subjects who were offered a choice of a preferred HRTF profile were able to consistently discriminate between a front center or rear center virtualized sound source 78.6% of the time, compared with 64.3% in a second group given an arbitrary HRTF profile. Similar results were obtained from virtualizations in uncontrolled environments.

Authors: Tame, Robert P.; Barchiese, Daniele; Klapuri, Anssi
Affiliations: DTS, Inc., Bangor, County Down, UK; Queen Mary University of London, London, UK(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 133 (October 2012) Paper Number: 8757
Publication Date: October 25, 2012
Subject: Spatial Audio

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