While adding a height dimension to a surround sound system implies the addition of loudspeakers on the ceiling, this study explores the means for synthesizing the 3rd dimension by signal processing. Creating a virtual elevated auditory image by using the conventional lateral 5.1 loudspeaker configuration greatly simplifies the burden on the consumer. The proposed system has been implemented using a crosstalk-cancellation method optimized for three of the five channels in a home-theater system: center, left-surround, and right-surround. This hybrid method, based on earlier work by Klepko, required the calculation of two inverse filters. Preliminary listening tests showed that loudspeakers at ear level could render sound sources perceived to be at higher elevations, and that the perceived elevation angles increased monotonically with the target elevation angles.

Authors: Kim, Sungyoung; Ikeda, Masahiro; Martens, William L.
Affiliations: Electrical, Telecommunication, and Computer Engineering Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology; Spatial Audio System Group, Yamaha Corporation; Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney(See document for exact affiliation information.)
JAES Volume 62 Issue 5 pp. 337-344; May 2014
Publication Date: June 2, 2014

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