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Effects of measured and simulated diffraction from a plate on sound source localization
Christoph Kirsch1, Stephan D Ewert1
1Medizinische Physik and Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|May 10, 2024
Summary
Sound edge diffraction significantly impacts auditory spatial perception, shifting perceived sound source locations by up to 12 degrees. This study quantifies diffraction effects on horizontal sound localization, crucial for understanding real-world acoustics.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Psychoacoustics
- Auditory Perception
Background:
- Natural and man-made structures alter sound propagation through reflection and diffraction.
- While sound reflection effects on binaural localization are studied, edge diffraction's impact on spatial perception is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of edge diffraction from a flat plate on horizontal sound source localization.
- To compare measurements with geometrical acoustics simulations for rendering diffracted sound paths.
Main Methods:
- Binaural recordings using an artificial head in an anechoic environment with a square plate.
- Sound source localization tests with varying positions near the plate's incident and shadow boundaries.
- Comparison of experimental data with simulations incorporating individual ear positions for diffraction rendering.
Main Results:
- Acoustic diffraction caused perceived source shifts up to 12° in azimuth.
- Occluded frontal sound sources were perceived as shifted towards the plate's visible edge.
- Simulations accurately reproduced the observed localization offsets when including binaural diffraction rendering.
Conclusions:
- Edge diffraction is a significant factor in auditory spatial perception, influencing horizontal localization.
- Acoustic simulations can effectively model the perceptual effects of diffraction, aiding in architectural acoustics and virtual reality applications.
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