AES 5th International Conference on Automotive Audio

This paper presents a synthesis of research spanning eight decades, investigating the relationship between auditory spatial perception and the effects of masking noise. Drawing from studies in psychoacoustics, it examines how different characteristics of masking noise affect fundamental auditory experiences such as sound localization, echo suppression, precedence effect, and similar phenomena.

Despite the extensive research, the practical application of these findings in audio products engineering (such as automotive sound systems) remains limited. Incorporating these scholarly insights into practical use could improve algorithms for spatial sound processing. Understanding the implications outlined in these studies is crucial for refining immersive sound reproduction and implementing new spatial audio formats into consumer devices.

The challenges posed by noise, especially in vehicles, emphasize the importance of applying prior research to enhance the user experience. This review highlights the need for understanding and applying insights from previous studies to improve the quality of experience of consumer audio devices and systems.