We describe a novel method for designing echoic headphone virtualizers based on a stochastic room model and a numerical optimization procedure. The method aims to maximize sound source externalization under a natural-timbre constraint. The stochastic room model generates a number of binaural room impulse response (BRIR) candidates for each virtual channel, each embodying essential perceptual cues. A perceptually-based distortion metric evaluates the timbre of each candidate, and the optimal candidate is selected for use in the virtualizer. We designed a 7.1.4 channel virtualizer and evaluated it relative to a LoRo stereo downmix using a single-interval A:B preference test. For a pool of 10 listeners, the test resulted in an overall virtualizer preference of 75%, with no stereo test item preferred over binaural.

Authors: Davidson, Grant; Darcy, Dan; Fielder, Louis; Schuang, Zhiwei; Graff, Rich; Breebaart, Jeroen; Crum, Poppy
Affiliations: Dolby Laboratories, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA; Dolby Laboratories Intl. Services Co. Ltd., Beijing, China; Dolby Australia Pty. Ltd., McMahons Point, NSW, Australia(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 140 (May 2016) Paper Number: 9588
Publication Date: May 26, 2016
Subject: Immersive Audio

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