VR with synchronized binaural audio can deliver presence for live events

Evidence

In the 1970s Sennheiser had a simple mass-market binaural microphone product, positioning small microphone capsules just outside the ears, but not in them. The encoded HRTFs had large errors. The headphones in use were of questionable performance, so the HRTFs were further degraded. Recordings made in one venue and played back in a different one were entertaining but not convincing. In-head localization was the norm. However, out of interest, I sat in my stereo seat wearing the binaural microphone and made a recording of my stereo system playing. I then put on headphones, sat in the same stereo seat and played the binaural recording. It was uncanny. The beginning of the tape presented the household background noises as they were before putting the headphones on. It was as though nothing had changed. When the music began it was convincingly externalized—remarkable. The acoustical and visual contexts matched. Rotating the head destroyed the effect. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 296 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
• XREF: connects to: Reproducing the live venue experience has been the longstanding goal of audio enthusiasts; Dynamic head tracking restores externalized sound localization in binaural reproduction.; Static binaural images sound inside the head until head movement is tracked (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Matching acoustical and visual context yields convincing binaural externalization #corroborates (0.90) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 296
• Dynamic head tracking restores externalized sound localization in binaural reproduction. #corroborates (0.85)
• Head-tracking binaural convolution yields convincing externalized spatial audio #corroborates (0.85)
• Static binaural images sound inside the head until head movement is tracked #corroborates (0.82)
• Head related transfer functions anchor sounds to visual cues in VR #corroborates (0.80)
• Visual-vestibular room matching is required for binaural externalization to persist #qualifies (0.80)
• Binaural audio reproduces ear canal signals from real or virtual scenarios. #corroborates (0.78) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 1916
• Interaction with the user is what distinguishes virtual reality audio from traditional reproduction #expands (0.75)
• Virtual surround works because the listener’s head stays fixed while watching a screen #qualifies (0.75) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2255
• Headphone presentation is required to measure true binaural benefit #corroborates (0.72)