Subject: Re: [AUDITORY] Seeking advice on improving localization clarity in static binaural playback with non-individualized HRTFs From: "Richard F. Lyon" <0000030301ff4bce-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2025 13:44:24 -0700--00000000000076a16e063bcc86be Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable 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=E2=80=AFPM Dingding Yao <simon.ydd@xxxxxxxx> = 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=E2=80=94especially > front-back and up-down confusions=E2=80=94are a common challenge when usi= ng > 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 > --00000000000076a16e063bcc86be Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Din= gding, "clearly and reliably" is a lot to ask.=C2=A0 =C2=A0It wou= ld be better to ask what kinds of signals, under what kinds of conditions, = can have=C2=A0front-back or up-down (or positions on cones of confusion mor= e generally) distinguished with reasonable=C2=A0accuracy.=C2=A0 It's co= mplicated, so don't expect simple answers.=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gma= il_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default= " style=3D"font-size:small">Maybe by "techniques or strategies" y= ou meant how to design signals and conditions that work well for this?=C2= =A0 If so, here are some ideas:=C2=A0 use short broadband sounds or "c= licky" 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.</div= ><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div clas= s=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I'm not up on the current= best literature in this field.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"= font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:= small">Dick</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br= ></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir= =3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:57=E2=80=AFPM Dingd= ing Yao <<a href=3D"mailto:simon.ydd@xxxxxxxx">simon.ydd@xxxxxxxx</a>&= gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0= px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div = dir=3D"ltr">Dear list,<br><br><div>I hope this message finds you well.<div>= <br></div><div>I am reaching out to seek your advice on a question related = to binaural reproduction. As we all know, localization ambiguities=E2=80=94= especially front-back and up-down confusions=E2=80=94are a common challenge= when using HRTF-based binaural playback. Previous literature has pointed o= ut several influencing factors, such as dynamic cues (e.g., head rotation),= individualized HRTFs, and headphone equalization.</div><div><br></div><div= >However, I am particularly interested in whether it is still possible to a= chieve a <b>clear sense of directional perception</b> under <b>static liste= ning conditions</b> with <b>non-individualized HRTFs</b>. Specifically, eve= n if precise localization is not attained, might there be techniques or str= ategies that allow listeners to <b>clearly and reliably </b>distinguish bet= ween front and back, as well as between above and below?<br><br> Any insights, relevant experiences, or useful references would be greatly a= ppreciated. I would also welcome any discussion or perspectives on this topic. <br><br>Best regards, =C2=A0<br>Dingding Yao<br></div></div></div> </blockquote></div> --00000000000076a16e063bcc86be--