Symmetric Loudspeaker-Room Equalization Utilizing a Pairwise Channel Similarity Criterion

Similarity of the room transfer functions (RTFs) of symmetric channel pairs is crucial for correct sound reproduction of, for example, stereophonic or 5.1 surround multichannel recordings. This physical and psychoacoustical insight yielded the filter design framework presented in this paper. The filter design framework introduced is based on MIMO feedforward control. It has the aim of pairwise equalization of two audio channels and incorporates two features. In the first place, each channel is individually equalized by minimizing the difference between a desired target response and the original RTF by means of support loudspeakers. The second and novel feature represents the similarity requirement and aims at minimizing the difference between the compensated RTFs of the two channels. In order to asses the proposed method a measure of RTF similarity is proposed. Tests with measurements of two different multichannel audio systems proved the method to be able to significantly improve the similarity of two RTFs.