Soundfield representation, reconstruction and perception

This thesis covers the area of soundfield representation, reconstruction and perception. The complexity and information content of a soundfield presents many mathematical and engineering challenges for accurate reconstruction. After an in-depth review of the field of mathematical soundfield representation, an analysis of the numerical and practical constraints for soundfield reconstruction is presented. A review of work in experimental psycho-acoustics higlights the variability of spatial sound perception. It is shown that the error and uncertainty in perception is of a comparable magnitude to the accuracy achievable by present soundfield systems. Therefore, the effects of hearing adaption, sensory bias, sensory conflict, and contextual memory cannot be ignored. If the listening environment is inappropriate or in conflict with the desired perceptual experience, little is gained from more complex soundfield representation or reconstruction. The imp! lications of this result to the delivery of spatial audio is discussed and some open problems for further exploration and experimentation are detailed.

Author dc:creator

• Dickins, Glenn

• spatial sound
• soundfield
• sound perception
• audio perception
• spatial sound perception
• surround sound
• ambisonics
• wave equation
• acoustics

Language dc:language.iso

en_AU

Dc Identifier Other

b22570512

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au:1885/9728