Sound localization is most accurate when facing the sound source

Evidence

Stevens and Newman also calculated the errors in degrees as a function of the location of the speaker. Figure 7–7 shows that they found the lowest error rates when the speaker was located in the front of the body (0°). Performance was considerably poorer and was fairly equal when the speaker was located at all other positions tested (between 15° and 90°). Their work indicates that good sound localization abilities are only achievable when our face is pointed toward the sound. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1493

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1493
• XREF: connects to: Head symmetry creates a cone of directions where sound localization is ambiguous; Pure-tone localization errors spike specifically around 2000 to 4000 Hz; Sound localization is best for frontal sounds and at low and high frequencies (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Sound localization is best for frontal sounds and at low and high frequencies #corroborates (0.85)