A Comparison on the Localization Performance of Static and Dynamic Binaural Ambisonics Reproduction with Different Order

Ambisonics is a series of spatial sound reproduction system based on spatial harmonics decomposition and each order approximation of sound field. Ambisonics signals are originally intended for loudspeakers reproduction. By using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) filters, binaural Ambisonics converts the Ambisonics signals for static or dynamic headphone reproduction. In present work, the performances of static and dynamic binaural Ambisonics reproduction are evaluated and compared. The mean binaural pressure errors across target source directions are first analyzed. Then a virtual source localization experiment is conducted, and the localization performances are evaluated by analyzing the percentages of front-back and up-down confusion, the mean angle error and discreteness in the localization results. The results indicate that binaural Ambsonics reproduction with insufficiently high order (for example, 5-10 order) is unable to recreate correct high-frequency magnitude spectra in binaural pressures, resulting in degradation in localization for static reproduction. Because dynamic localization cue is included, dynamic binaural Ambisoncis reproduction yields obviously better localization performance than static reproduction with the same order. Even a 3-order dynamic binaural Ambisoncis reproduction exhibits appropriate localizations performance.