In-Head Localization of Acoustic Images

Listeners placed in an acoustically and visually neutral environment were required to localize sounds presented by means of loudspeakers. Convincing in-head and external image localizations were observed separately and in combination. The amount of in-head localization was found to change substantially and systematically with changes in signal bandwidth and source position. Signal type and center frequency had less effect. It was concluded that small head movements are not the main factor underlying the “externalization” of sounds.