Comparison of 2D and 3D multichannel audio rendering methods for hearing research applications using technical and perceptual measures

Abstract

Virtual reality with multichannel audio playback is increasingly used in hearing aid research. The purpose of this study is to compare horizontal (2D) and periphonic (3D) rendering methods in terms of localization, minimum audible angle, and perceptual ratings related to spatial quality. Higher Order Ambisonics, Vector-Base Amplitude Panning, and Nearest Speaker Selection were used, with playback through 16, 29 and 45 speakers. The results show that an improvement in vertical localization can be obtained by using periphonic rendering instead of horizontal rendering. The perceptual advantage of periphonic rendering depends on the spatial complexity of the scene; it disappears in complex acoustic environments. Scenes with low acoustic complexity, such as a single primary sound source in a room, benefit from Nearest Speaker Selection rendering. For more complex scenes with multiple sound sources, such as a symphony orchestra in a concert hall with many primary sources, or traffic on a road with moving sources, horizontal rendering methods such as 2D Higher Order Ambisonics will provide similar or better performance.