The Binaural Sky: A Virtual Headphone for Binaural Room Synthesis
Donald H. Menzel, Helmut Wittek, Günther Theile, Hugo Fastl · 2005
A novel system for the reproduction of virtual acoustics is presented in theory and practice. The system combines wave field synthesis, binaural techniques and transaural audio. Stable localisation of virtual sources is achieved for listeners that are allowed to turn around and rotate their heads. Focused sources are used for transaural signal reproduction. The position of the focused sources is kept constant relative to the ears of the listener for every head direction by means of a head tracking system. Therefore, there is no need to change the crosstalk cancellation filters during head rotations, so that audible artefacts and instabilities are avoided. The system is sufficiently stable allowing for loudspeaker installations even above the listener. As a result, binaural (e.g. BRS) reproduction can be enjoyed without wearing a headphone and without any loudspeakers in the listener’s field of vision.