Impression of Sound Source Distance over Headphones

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the problems and solutions identified in respect of the accurate perception of sound source distance in headphone-based spatial audio through the use of the Reverberant Spatial Audio Object framework. Object-based audio technologies, such as RSAO, have managed to revolutionize spatial audio with much flexibility and realism in audio playback. However, perception of distance remains unrealistically replicated, especially in virtual and complex acoustic environments. The key contribution of this work can be claimed to be the refined RSAO framework for enhancing accuracy in perceived sound source distances. It merges signal analysis with psychoacoustic experimentation and designs a new binaural rendering pipeline. Moreover, it investigates the impact of different types of rooms and acoustics of the environment on distance perception and evaluates various kinds of sound sources that may influence the performance of the RSAO framework.