Auditory image processing in a virtual acoustic environment

A system is described that simulates free-field source at different locations through headphones, and experiments that make use of that system are discussed. The system makes use of commercially available components and incorporates automatic compensation for head motion. It also allows an interactive mode in which the subject modifies the simulated acoustic environment by changing her/his hand position. Some preliminary experiments related to the relative importance of several factors that influence perceptions of auditory image space are reported