Low-order modeling of head-related transfer functions using balanced model truncation

We propose a novel technique for the design of low-order infinite impulse response (IIR) filter models of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) that uses balanced model truncation. We design tenth-order IIR filters, suitable for efficient real-time implementation, from preprocessed HRTF impulse responses that are of significantly superior quality to current IIR models derived with the Prony and Yule-Walker methods.