Evaluation of perceptual properties of phase-mode beamforming in the context of data-based binaural synthesis

Several approaches to data-based binaural synthesis have been published that process the sound field captured by a spherical microphone array. The captured sound field is typically decomposed into plane waves which are then auralized using head-related transfer functions. The decomposition into plane waves is often based upon modal beamforming techniques which represent the sound field with respect to surface spherical harmonics. The achievable spatial bandwidth is limited due to practical considerations. This paper investigates the perceptual implications of these limitations in the context of data-based binaural synthesis.