Re: [AUDITORY] Seeking advice on improving localization clarity in static binaural playback with non-individualized HRTFs

To: AUDITORY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: Re: [AUDITORY] Seeking advice on improving localization clarity in static binaural playback with non-individualized HRTFs

From: "Richard F. Lyon" <0000030301ff4bce-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2025 13:44:24 -0700

Approved-by: dicklyon@xxxxxxx

Arc-authentication-results: i=1; mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@LISTS.MCGILL.CA header.s=SELECTOR1 header.b=PNpuPZg1; spf=pass (google.com: domain of owner-auditory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx designates 132.206.27.104 as permitted sender) smtp.mailfrom=owner-auditory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; dmarc=pass (p=NONE sp=NONE dis=NONE) header.from=mcgill.ca

Arc-message-signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com; s=arc-20240605; h=list-archive:list-owner:list-subscribe:list-unsubscribe:list-help :precedence:in-reply-to:to:comments:subject:from:sender:reply-to :date:message-id:references:mime-version:approved-by:dkim-signature; bh=m7pzkTFDSxfS43qaOAAQNVarNFp8cyyvZGcVVLbuWjE=; fh=5/42mu9FVmfuMp6n0xGXVcDar2H3ENcHt8Uv11Om8gY=; b=TZyj8Cw/VouPg7vAanUkYkCHmWU3/dW9ORhe2JXWn+ntaGVZ3xKSwjykV38HtlQiLG F4J00SfTVepl4o/P+1QLWnEKpbuHBBnmdXFku0o1d38e+q92/s2qsnDF7xgt1Nwg6dX7 oG31nfuXFJue6MdrscuBLjV8gKFvygmXcBNDnI7ckwuEoZW+k8/Ksr3qH+W5RkNndopq 0BR78igWj2IOqOemvecS1nqJkCkdTlFm73YP8oYe5PJyNE9k4q0dKDglKO4P6UPZaiw3 Ob318Pu31dY9gj1jvUyOwRbZrhsmvSJ/9QeP+y2nPyUVAqG4Ai0/kGcvod667NkE4J6S 603w==; dara=google.com

Arc-seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1754626693; cv=none; d=google.com; s=arc-20240605; b=HynbOwgnKHSG2xIwZGvfxpg8JJZhqO9APE2mNdc3Uyhfv5L9KXbavZ9uFEMwhfYecM 2znAl9lhXtcDrA6n/zW1t/MCcJlyV1k8HMP8NYXAbtuumdVwC8evNgOt/loPguEszbnV 0QTreM1btFOowNv4cJCX1BlzQSY+cOHUoWzA5aXAGV8uUQ91A4LgQEZKNzKbrD66QhLU /6k4eLw2fJZh8zSvFm2/HgaXCIClzWqKYPnICEl4RSyqBss7B6ZeMJMiJaeh4VEI081e UlWKPRE6O2VDoL1FCGITI9WtjK2awO+wMFh9erevC9qmO9vTULonJHiUcJHauGg0zTg1 ZWMA==

Authentication-results: mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@LISTS.MCGILL.CA header.s=SELECTOR1 header.b=PNpuPZg1; spf=pass (google.com: domain of owner-auditory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx designates 132.206.27.104 as permitted sender) smtp.mailfrom=owner-auditory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; dmarc=pass (p=NONE sp=NONE dis=NONE) header.from=mcgill.ca

Comments: To: Dingding Yao <simon.ydd@xxxxxxxxx>

Delivered-to: dan.ellis@xxxxxxxxx

Dkim-signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; d=LISTS.MCGILL.CA; s=SELECTOR1; c=relaxed/relaxed; bh=m7pzkTFDSxfS43qaOAAQNVarNFp8cyyvZGcVVLbuWjE=; i=@LISTS.MCGILL.CA; h=Approved-By:MIME-Version:References:Content-Type:Message-ID:Date:Reply-To:Sender:From:Subject:To:In-Reply-To:List-Help:List-Unsubscribe:List-Subscribe:List-Owner:List-Archive; b=PNpuPZg1auOpSvcUjlzgIEXzAN7ryTSbnqeqT66xF1ODPk7pSAQo+8UofAG58vVMDw8vtTQ/z9xWM6r0tbAj+Ha2Drj/DnwmL24b3Ajx9FEc676yZYbZYStKTRqlDnWhRSRV0wOQhrIqidmT/W6L5mzebfSFzeQgWKJUR0RXCWqvmNohASDVP4lwLH+WFQ7nrHD+o/Hr12jFsckfU0b6urTRVH/HpHNzOktfdTMceva7lS/75ojnaV8DsF2W3lwlI4JS+/X7nn87y4TzCPuIefzX5WW0zOEFfwia67Y7dEpmJw28uPSTw8XApMLoc0B00heA9ael/zaxvhmiX2Eaig==

In-reply-to: <CAPpizCUC-BVAE_oH=2WboGN0YsTxhm8T6XoELzT_xLUAtWCC-Q@mail.gmail.com>

List-archive: <https://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>

List-help: <https://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>, <mailto:LISTSERV@LISTS.MCGILL.CA?body=INFO%20AUDITORY>

List-owner: <mailto:AUDITORY-request@LISTS.MCGILL.CA>

List-subscribe: <mailto:AUDITORY-subscribe-request@LISTS.MCGILL.CA>

List-unsubscribe: <mailto:AUDITORY-unsubscribe-request@LISTS.MCGILL.CA>

References: <CAPpizCUC-BVAE_oH=2WboGN0YsTxhm8T6XoELzT_xLUAtWCC-Q@mail.gmail.com>

Reply-to: "Richard F. Lyon" <dicklyon@xxxxxxx>

Sender: AUDITORY - Research in Auditory Perception <AUDITORY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Dingding, "clearly and reliably" is a lot to ask. It would be better to ask what kinds of signals, under what kinds of conditions, can have front-back or up-down (or positions on cones of confusion more generally) distinguished with reasonable accuracy. It's complicated, so don't expect simple answers.

Maybe by "techniques or strategies" you meant how to design signals and conditions that work well for this? If so, here are some ideas: use short broadband sounds or "clicky" sounds; simulate the room impulse response from the position of the virtual source, using a room model that matches the room the listener sees around them; train the listener using coherent audio-visual cues.

I'm not up on the current best literature in this field.

Dick

On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:57 PM Dingding Yao <simon.ydd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Dear list,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am reaching out to seek your advice on a question related to binaural reproduction. As we all know, localization ambiguities—especially front-back and up-down confusions—are a common challenge when using HRTF-based binaural playback. Previous literature has pointed out several influencing factors, such as dynamic cues (e.g., head rotation), individualized HRTFs, and headphone equalization.

However, I am particularly interested in whether it is still possible to achieve a clear sense of directional perception under static listening conditions with non-individualized HRTFs. Specifically, even if precise localization is not attained, might there be techniques or strategies that allow listeners to clearly and reliably distinguish between front and back, as well as between above and below?

Any insights, relevant experiences, or useful references would be greatly appreciated. I would also welcome any discussion or perspectives on this topic.

Best regards,
Dingding Yao