Bridging Near and Far Acoustic Fields: A Hybrid System Approach to Improved Dimensionality in Multi-Listener Spaces

摘要

Historically, far-field loudspeaker systems have been challenged to provide convincing near-field auditory images for multiple listeners, e.g. realistic buzzing of bees perceived closely around a listeners head. Conversely, experience with recent near-field systems in the form of compact transaural beamformers suggests these personal loudspeaker arrays do not produce satisfying far-field auditory images for multiple listeners; large audiences are a particularly problematic case. In this article, the authors propose a hybrid system that consolidates the near-field performance of compact transaural beamformers and the far-field qualities of large loudspeaker installations typically employed in cinemas and theme parks. A first approach to combine these two systems is defined. We present a brief overview of the design of digital filters required by a loudspeaker array to form transaural beams for two listeners. Analytical results are presented.