Headphone calibration for 3D-audio listening

This paper proposes a new headphone calibration function for precise reproduction of 3D audio generated using simulated head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) or binaural recordings. In order to compensate for individual characteristics of the earcanal transfer functions and the eardrum impedance, which are generally different from person to person, the method consists of two steps: measuring sound pressure with blocked earcanals and that with open earcanals. The vibration of the eardrum can thereby be precisely reproduced as if the listener were in the original sound scene. Results of experiments using a head and torso simulator (HATS) revealed that sound pressure is correctly reproduced at the position of eardrum as well as at the entrance of the earcanal within a certain wide frequency range.