Subjective Comparison Between Stereo Dipole and 3D Ambisonic Surround Systems for Automotive Applications

The paper describes the results of a subjective evaluation experiment: two methods for recording a three-dimensional sound field and for reproducing it through loudspeakers in a proper listening room are compared. The first method is the binaural method known as Stereo Dipole, based on digital filtering of binaural recordings or binaurally synthesized sound tracks: it allows for reproduction over a pair of closely-located loudspeakers. The second method is a software implementation of the well-known Ambisonics methodology, in which a B-format recording made with a Soundfield mic, or a synthesized B-format soundtrack, is reproduced over a 3D array of 8 loudspeakers. The subjective comparisons were made in a listening room fitted with 10 loudspeakers, and the listeners did not know at what of the two systems they were listening. Both reproduction systems were employed for blind evaluation of the sound field generated by audio systems of different cars.

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