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Abstract <p>As we move from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 and 6.0, spatial audio technology plays a critical role in the design and development of intelligent, human-centric, multifunctional products. This paper provides a comprehensive review of headphone-based spatial audio, focusing on its ability to create immersive product experiences through three-dimensional auditory environments that replicate real-world soundscapes. Unlike traditional stereo sound, spatial audio accurately positions sounds in space, conveying depth, direction, and distance. This realism enhances user immersion, allowing seamless engagement with virtual environments such as simulations, digital prototypes, and virtual reality (VR) applications. A key feature of spatial audio is the use of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), which model how sound waves interact with individual anatomy, enabling precise sound localization and personalized auditory experiences. This sensory engagement fosters intuitive virtual interactions by providing listeners with a natural and responsive experience. Spatial audio bridges the gap between digital twins and physical environments, enabling a wide range of applications within extended reality (XR) domains, such as immersive design, remote collaboration, training, and interactive experiences. While spatial audio’s significance is growing, the literature remains fragmented, with limited consolidation of insights across perceptual, computational, and applied dimensions. This paper addresses that gap by offering a structured review of human auditory models, analytical representations of HRTFs, techniques for generating perceptual spatial audio, and the cognitive processes involved in experiencing spatial sound, particularly through headphones. Drawing from interdisciplinary research in psychoacoustics, physical acoustics, signal processing, perceptual psychology, and audio experience design, this review presents a synthesized taxonomy and a comprehensive account of the field’s progression. Its novelty lies in tracing the evolution of spatial audio from early acoustic theories to current AI-driven implementations, while connecting technological advancements with evolving design paradigms. By bridging foundational concepts with contemporary practices, this study provides a cohesive framework to support future research and innovation in spatial audio.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Tracing the evolution of headphone-based spatial audio: from principles to applications

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月11日

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  • Ganesh Kailas,
  • Amar Kumar Behera,
  • Nachiketa Tiwari

摘要

Abstract

As we move from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 and 6.0, spatial audio technology plays a critical role in the design and development of intelligent, human-centric, multifunctional products. This paper provides a comprehensive review of headphone-based spatial audio, focusing on its ability to create immersive product experiences through three-dimensional auditory environments that replicate real-world soundscapes. Unlike traditional stereo sound, spatial audio accurately positions sounds in space, conveying depth, direction, and distance. This realism enhances user immersion, allowing seamless engagement with virtual environments such as simulations, digital prototypes, and virtual reality (VR) applications. A key feature of spatial audio is the use of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), which model how sound waves interact with individual anatomy, enabling precise sound localization and personalized auditory experiences. This sensory engagement fosters intuitive virtual interactions by providing listeners with a natural and responsive experience. Spatial audio bridges the gap between digital twins and physical environments, enabling a wide range of applications within extended reality (XR) domains, such as immersive design, remote collaboration, training, and interactive experiences. While spatial audio’s significance is growing, the literature remains fragmented, with limited consolidation of insights across perceptual, computational, and applied dimensions. This paper addresses that gap by offering a structured review of human auditory models, analytical representations of HRTFs, techniques for generating perceptual spatial audio, and the cognitive processes involved in experiencing spatial sound, particularly through headphones. Drawing from interdisciplinary research in psychoacoustics, physical acoustics, signal processing, perceptual psychology, and audio experience design, this review presents a synthesized taxonomy and a comprehensive account of the field’s progression. Its novelty lies in tracing the evolution of spatial audio from early acoustic theories to current AI-driven implementations, while connecting technological advancements with evolving design paradigms. By bridging foundational concepts with contemporary practices, this study provides a cohesive framework to support future research and innovation in spatial audio.

Graphical abstract