The diffuse-field head-related transfer function can be used to equalize headphone binaural (dummy head) recordings and binaural synthesis filters in 3-D audio systems, in order to eliminate the effects of the transducers involved in the measurement or recording process. The advantages of diffuse-field equalization (compared to free-field equalization) in these different applications are reviewed and illustrated. Methods for estimating the diffuse-field HRTF from measurements on dummy heads or human subjects are examined. A practical in-situ measurement procedure is proposed and compared to traditional approaches requiring the use of an anechoic or a reverberant chamber. The results presented advocate for diffuse-field equalization of headphones, dummy heads and virtual 3-D audio displays, in order to ensure consistent playback over a wide population of listeners.

Authors: Larcher, Veronique; Jot, Jean-Marc; Vandernoot, Guillaume
Affiliations: IRCAM, Paris, France ; Renault, Guyancourt, France ; Joint E-mu/Creative Technology Center, Scotts Valley, CA(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 105 (September 1998) Paper Number: 4858
Publication Date: September 1, 1998
Subject: Spatial Perception and Processing

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