Perceptually optimised loudspeaker selection for the creation of personal sound zones

Sound field control methods can be used to create multiple zones of audio in the same room. The separation achieved by such systems has classically been evaluated using physical metrics including acoustic contrast and target-to-interferer ratio (TIR). However, to optimise the experience for a listener it is desirable to account for perceptual factors. A search procedure was used to select 5 loudspeakers for production of 2 sound zones using acoustic contrast control. Comparisons were made between searches driven by physical (programme-independent TIR) and perceptual (predicted distraction from a perceptual model) cost functions. Performance was evaluated on TIR and predicted distraction; results suggested that the perceptual cost function showed some benefits over physical optimisation although the perceptual model needs further work.