Binaural recordings can be used in soundscape analysis, commercial audio production, and architectural acoustic metrics and measurements. Precision Head and Torso Simulators (HATS) utilize a pair of measurement microphones within an artificial pair of pinnae, embedded in an artificial head atop an artificial torso. These devices can be commercially purchased and provide repeatable binaural measurements; however, they can be cost prohibitive, difficult to transport, and infeasible for use in some measurement locations. Alternatives may include commercial audio recording binaural microphones and custom built low-cost binaural HATS. To assess the objective performance of a variety of binaural setups, a known noise source with a known signal is sent to a variety of laboratories with binaural recording capabilities. This presentation outlines plans and preliminary results from this multi-lab study to compare these systems.
McCord et al. (Wed,) studied this question.