METHOD FOR SOUND REPRODUCTION IN REFLECTION ENVIRONMENTS, IN PARTICULAR IN LISTENING ROOMS

Abstract

Method in which, primarily in listening rooms, instead of the particular environment's own spatial sound, the spatial sound of a third room may be given an enveloping quality in the perception of the listener. The third room spatial acoustics perceived instead of the listening room spatial acoustics act in the same way in terms of hearing physiology as the spatial acoustics of natural rooms. That is, enveloping in terms of the spatial sound (in a distinction from direct sound). This type of spatial enveloping effect may also be incorporated emotionally by the listener into the auditory event, and has no sweet spot problem (there is a large preferred listening area instead of a preferred listening spot) and allows low frequencies to act in such a way that use of subwoofer speakers may generally be dispensed with.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A method for sound reproduction in a listening room having at least one speaker arrangement of a group made up of a first speaker arrangement and a second speaker arrangement, the method comprising: a.) in playback situations, aa.) audio signals from a first speaker arrangement are emitted essentially directionally in relation to a listening position, wherein ab.) the audio signals and spatial sound signals that are originally independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of one or more real or virtual spaces are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via a second speaker arrangement, and the spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals; or b.) in live situations, ba.) live signals are emitted into the room, and bb.) either bba.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of one or more real or virtual spaces, or bbb.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of one or more real or virtual spaces, and audio signals corresponding to the live signals are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via the second speaker arrangement, and the spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals corresponding to the live signals; or b.) in live situations, either ca.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of a real or a virtual space of real or virtual rooms, or cb.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of a real or a virtual space of real or virtual rooms, and audio signals corresponding to the live signals are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via the second speaker arrangement, and spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals corresponding to the live signals; or d.) in playback situations, da.) audio signals from a first speaker arrangement are emitted essentially directionally in relation to a listening position, wherein db.) the audio signals and spatial sound signals that are originally independent of the listening room are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via a second speaker arrangement, and characterized in that spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals; or e.) in live situations, ea.) live signals are emitted into the room and eb.) either eba.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room or ebb.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and audio signals corresponding to the live signals are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via the second speaker arrangement, and the spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals corresponding to the live signals, or f.) in live situations, either fa.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of a real or a virtual space of real or virtual rooms, or fb.) spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and that contain the spatial sound information of a real or a virtual space of real or virtual rooms, and audio signals corresponding to the live signals are emitted essentially nondirectionally in relation to the listening position via the second speaker arrangement, and spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals has an origin that is independent of the audio signals corresponding to the live signals.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) the spatial sound signals are convolution products of third room pulse responses.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) early reflection signals or medium-early reflection signals originating from the spatial sound signals are emitted in the direction of the listening room walls and/or the listening room ceiling via the second speaker arrangement in such a way that the early reflection signals or medium-early reflection signals reflected on the listening room walls and/or on the listening room ceiling are reflected essentially in the direction of the listening position; or b.) early reflection signals or medium-early reflection signals originating from the spatial sound signals are emitted in the direction of the listening room walls and/or the listening room ceiling via a third speaker arrangement in such a way that the early reflection signals or medium-early reflection signals reflected on the listening room walls and/or on the listening room ceiling are reflected essentially in the direction of the listening position.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second speaker arrangement is configured in such a way that a) the audio signals and the spatial sound signals are emitted via separate speaker chassis; or b) the audio signals corresponding to the live signals, and the spatial sound signals are emitted via separate speaker chassis; or c) the spatial sound signals in relation to the audio signals and in relation to the audio signals corresponding to the live signals are emitted via separate speaker chassis.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second speaker arrangement has at least the following speakers: a)a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper left in relation to the listening position, a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper right in relation to the listening position, or b)a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper left front in relation to the listening position, a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper right front in relation to the listening position, a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper left rear in relation to the listening position, a speaker for nondirectional emission from the upper right rear in relation to the listening position.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: a) the third speaker arrangement has at least the following speakers: a speaker for reflective emission from the left front at ear level or higher in relation to the listening position, and a speaker for reflective emission from the right front at ear level or higher in relation to the listening position, and/or a speaker for reflective emission from the upper front center in relation to the listening position.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein: a) the speakers of the second speaker arrangement of the third speaker arrangement are controlled with specifically processed, and accordingly different, spatial sound signals.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) the speakers of the second speaker arrangement are controlled in a time-delayed manner or early in comparison to the live signals or the audio signals of the first speaker arrangement.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein: a) the speakers of the third speaker arrangement are controlled in a time-delayed manner or early in comparison to the live signals or the audio signals of the first speaker arrangement.

29. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) the front speakers of the second speaker arrangement in relation to the listening position are controlled early or in a time-delayed manner in comparison to the rear speakers of the second speaker arrangement in relation to the listening position.

30. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) the audio signals are emitted multiple times at different points in time within the second speaker arrangement.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) at least portions of the audio signals are emitted via the second speaker arrangement in both a delayed and an undelayed manner with respect to at least portions of the audio signals of the first speaker arrangement.

32. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) portions of the audio signals are emitted via the front speakers of the second speaker arrangement in relation to the listening position earlier than the same portions of the audio signals via the rear speakers in relation to the listening position, or conversely.

33. The method according to claim 20, wherein: a) the audio and spatial sound signals within the second speaker arrangement are independently controllable with regard to their sound level.

34. A computer program product that is configured for carrying out the method according to claim 20.

35. A data medium containing a computer program that is configured for carrying out the method according to claim 20.

36. A device that is configured for carrying out the method according to claim 20.

37. A system that is configured for carrying out the method according to claim 20.

38. Use of one of: a) the method according to claim 20; or b) the computer program product according to claim 34; or c) the data medium according to claim 35; or d) the device according to claim 36; or e) the system according to claim 37 for evoking, from a physiological auditory standpoint, the enveloping perception of three-dimensionality represented by the spatial sound signals, concurrently with at least substantial acoustic masking of the three-dimensional effect of the listening room.

Description

[0062] The invention is explained in greater detail below by way of example, without being limited thereto, wherein

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a perspective, schematic illustration of one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective, schematic view of one possible speaker configuration within a listening room H, the listening position itself being denoted by reference character X, and the listener looking at a wall W1.

[0065] During a sound replay in a listening room H, audio signals, for example fed from hi-fi components, are emitted essentially directionally from a first speaker arrangement made up of the speakers SLV1, SCV1, SRV1, SLH1, and SRH1, in the direction of the listening position X, this configuration corresponding to a traditional 5.1 surround speaker configuration without a subwoofer. The audio signals are thus transmitted essentially directionally to the listener at the listening position X. These audio signals correspond to the sound information originating from conventional recording technology, i.e., channel-based, not sound field-based.

[0066] At the same time, the audio signals, and the spatial sound signals which are independent from the listening room H and whose spatial sound information has an origin independent of the audio signals, are emitted essentially nondirectionally, namely, essentially in the direction of the listening room ceiling D in relation to the listening position X, via a second speaker arrangement made up of the speakers SLVO2, SRVO2, SLHO2, and SRHO2, the spatial sound signals and the audio signals exerting complementary effects on the three-dimensional perception.

[0067] Appropriately adjusting the level of the audio signals with respect to the spatial sound signals within the second speaker arrangement and also in relation to the sound level of the audio signals of the first speaker arrangement results in a natural musical sound that is perceived as realistic, wherein the audio signals emitted via the second speaker arrangement increase the diffusivity in the listening room to an extent that the perception of enveloping three dimensionality according to the invention is made possible for the first time, and wherein the spatial sound signals emitted via the second speaker arrangement not only mask the listening room-induced three-dimensionality information of the diffuse sound of the listening room H in the listener's perception, but in particular also ensure the perception of three-dimensionality, corresponding to the spatial sound information of the spatial sound signals, in an enveloping manner.

[0068] For subjectively expanding the breadth of the sound and for enhancing the spatial sound enveloping effect, a third speaker arrangement made up of the speakers SL3 and SR3 is installed in the listening room H. Early reflection signals (specific selected and set spatial sound signals) are emitted via the speakers SL3 and SR3 in such a way that they are reflected on the listening room walls W2 and W3 essentially in the direction of the listening position X. The acoustic impression of a realistic space is further intensified by this measure.

[0069] In another variant in which, instead of a sound replay in the listening room H, it is not audio signals that are used, but, rather, live signals, for example during a live performance in opera houses or concerts, either spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room H, or spatial sound signals that are independent of the listening room and audio signals corresponding to the live signals, are essentially nondirectionally emitted in the direction of the listening position X via the second speaker arrangement, wherein the spatial sound signals on one side, and either the component of the live signals that produces the diffuse sound, or the component of the live signals that produces the live signals and the audio signals corresponding to the live signals on the other side, exert complementary effects on the three-dimensional perception. In this configuration, the speakers SLV1, SCV1, SRV1, SLH1, and SRH1 are generally not actively operated, but under some circumstances, also with omission of the use of rear speakers, may be actively operated, in particular for PA system purposes, for example during musical performances.

[0070] However, in the acoustic masking of the listening room-induced spatial sound signals of the listening room H during live performances, in any case the speakers SLVO2, SRVO2, SLHO2, and SRHO2 are controlled. If necessary, the speakers of the third speaker arrangement, namely, SL3 and SR3, are also controlled.

[0071] It is thus possible to optimize unfavorable spatial acoustics of the listening room H in which the live event takes place by masking the listening room acoustics, in that in the perception of the listener, the listening room acoustics are replaced by desired spatial acoustics of a third room contained in the mentioned spatial sound signals.

LITERATURE CITATIONS

[0072] WO 2012/033950 A1 [0073] WO 2013/111034 A2 [0074] Ben Kok: Acoustic Enhancement System, Production Partner April 2011, pp. 108-117 [0075] J. Herre, J. Hilpert, A. Kuntz, J. Plogsties: MPEG-H AudioThe Upcoming Standard for Universal Spatial/3D Audio Coding, Proceedings of ICSA 2014, Erlangen, ISBN 978-3-98 12830-4-4, p. 54 [0076] Andreas Rotter: Wahrnehmbarkeit klanglicher Unterschiede von Hochtonlautsprechern unterschiedlicher Wirkprinzipien [Perceivability of tonal differences from tweeter speakers having different operating principles], MA TU Berlin 2010, pp. 22ff.