Abstract:

A listening test was performed to compare the auralization quality between the individualized and the typical non-individualized （for KEMAR manikin） binaural room impulse responses （BRIRs）, with the aim of exploring whether the differences were audible. In the test, the BRIRs of six subjects and a KEMAR manikin were measured in a multimedia classroom. Then, the results were convoluted with various anechoic sound materials. Moreover, the binaural signals synthesized by the own BRIRs of the subjects were compared with those synthesized by the BRIRs of the KEMAR manikin via an ABX test. Experimental results indicate that the subjects mainly use the tone color to discriminate the signal differences, with an average discrimination rate up to 93% for the four sound materials selected for the study. It is thus concluded that the auralization differences between individualized and non- individualized BRIRs are audible.

Key words: individualization, non-individualization, binaural room impulse response, auralization, listening test