Sound Localization of Dynamic Binaural Signals Provided Using a Pinna-Less Dummy Head or a Stereo Microphone

Abstract

This study compared the horizontal and median plane sound localization performances of binaural signals provided using a pinna-less dummy head or a stereo microphone that turns in synchronization with a listener's head yaw rotation in the head-still and head-movement tasks. Results show that the sound localization performances in the head-movement tasks are significantly higher than those in the head-still tasks in both the horizontal and median plane. The dynamic binaural cues synchronized with a listener's head yaw rotation dissolve the distance ambiguities, front-to-back ambiguities and elevation ambiguities, yielding better sound localization performances.