What differentiates myHRTF from similar solutions on the market?
From a sound point of view:
With myHRTF Personalized Filters you experience a soundstage in front with proper distance to the sound sources, just like with speakers in a room. In multichannel applications, you will hear the sound source behind, at the side or even above, just as intended and without front-back confusion typically associated with other solutions.
From a technical point of view:myHRTF takes into account your specific headphone model and its interaction with your left and right ears individually. In addition, several important aspects of your individual anatomy are taken into account, too.
Which HRTF database is used?
myHRTF Personalized Filters use computed HRTF based on a novel method developed by myHRTF. They are free from tonal colorations typically associated with other HRTF.
Which rooms were used for impulse response measurements?
myHRTF Personalized Filters are based on computed room acoustics that is free from unfavorable reflections and tonal colorations typically associated with real room acoustics.
Why do the virtual speakers sound less bright compared to the uprocessed headphone sound?
When we listen to speakers in a room, most of the sound we receive comes from reflections. These reflections contain significantly less energy in the treble range due to speaker directivity and attenuation of sound waves increasing with frequency. This directivity is wanted and corresponds to the natural directivity of musical instruments and the human voice.
Why is the volume lower when myHRTF Personalized Filters are active?
Most headphones require a significant level boost especially in the subwoofer frequency range. In order to allow for this boost, all other frequencies need to be reduced in level to avoid clipping. Since our ears are more sensitive to the midrange, the sound appears lower in volume.
Why isn't there a selection of different speaker models and rooms?
The objective of myHRTF Personalized Filters is the simulation of perfect speakers in flawless room acoustics. Real speakers and rooms tend to show flaws such as frequency dependent directivity, room modes (resonances) and frequency response irregularities.
How much latency do the filters have?
myHRTF Personalized Filters for gaming/movie (incl. SOFA files) have zero latency, i.e. they do not add any time delay. myHRTF Personalized Filters for music have approx. 50 ms latency since they make use of sophisticated digial filter design that requires latency.
Which sample rates are supported?
myHRTF Personalized Filters come with all standard sample rates (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz) except SOFA files (48 kHz only).
Why are some popular headphones not supported?
The performance of myHRTF Personalized Filters requires headphones with little unit to unit variation, channel imbalance and re-seating variability as well as sufficient dynamic capabilities in the bass frequency range. In combination, this is rare to find.
Is it required to use a headphone amplifier?
A dedicated headphone amplifier is not essential but strongly recommended in order to hear the full potential of myHRTF Personalized Filters, espececially in the low frequency range. Highly capable products are available on the market for less than 100 $.