Localization with individual and nonindividual binaural recordings

Abstract

The localization performance was studied when subjects listened (1) to a real sound field and (2) to binaural recordings of the same sound field, made (a) in their own ears, and (b) in the ears of other subjects. The sounds to be localized were loudspeaker reproductions of female speech at natural level, from 19 different positions in a standard listening room. The binaural recordings were reproduced by carefully equalized headphones. With individual recordings the performance was preserved compared to real life, whereas nonindividual recordings resulted in significantly more errors for sound sources in the median plane. Errors were seen in terms of confusion not only between nearby directions, but also between directions further away, such as between sound sources in front and behind the subject. However, nonindividual recordings made in the ears of a carefully selected ‘‘typical’’ subject resulted in a performance much closer to the real-life performance, although still inferior.