A frequency-domain algorithm to upscale ambisonic sound scenes

In this paper, a novel algorithm for upscaling ambisonic sound scenes in the frequency domain is presented. This algorithm makes use of compressed sensing techniques to calculate a set of upscaling filters. These filters are then used to increase the spherical harmonic order of a set of ambisonic sound signals to higher orders. Upscaled ambisonic sound scenes have a greater spatial resolution, which allows more loudspeakers to be used during the playback, resulting in a larger sweet spot and improved sound quality. A formal listening test was conducted to evaluate the perceptual quality of sound fields reproduced using this technique. Results show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the perceptual fidelity of the sound field reproduction, in comparison to classical ambisonic methods.