This study examines the effects of contextual stimuli and training on the accuracy of sound source localization in binaural reproduction of ambisonic sound. Utilizing third-order ambisonics decoded for binaural listening, localization accuracy was compared for neutral (pink noise) and contextual (human voice) stimuli across the horizontal and vertical plane separately. The study group consisted of 31 participants, divided into two groups; 17 participants underwent preparatory training, while the remaining 14 proceeded directly to the test. The localization test, conducted individually for each participant, with the use of headphones, focused on the absolute localization errors. Obtained data indicate that neutral stimuli (pink noise) yielded more accurate localization, particularly in elevation, exhibiting lower mean and median errors compared to contextual stimuli (voice samples). Training sessions showed a marginal improvement in localization accuracy, notably in azimuth angles. However, for the elevation angles, the benefit from the training was not significant, suggesting potential cognitive fatigue due to the short rest between sessions. The contextual nature of stimuli did not enhance localization accuracy, with broad-spectrum stimuli like pink noise providing more reliable spectral cues for localization.
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https://aes2.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22586
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