Hybrid ISM+BRIR convolution reverberation acoustic model with tuning of absorption coefficients based on single-position measurements

Spatial audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality requires perceptual fidelity and computational efficiency to deliver interactive, immersive experiences across dynamic environments. This paper presents a hybrid reverberation model to render real-time and perceptually convincing binaural room acoustics simulation by combining the Image Source Method (ISM) for early reflections with convolution of a given Binaural Room Impulse Response (BRIR) for late reverberation. The approach uses a single measurement at a fixed room position to derive frequency-dependent wall absorption coefficients by means of an iterative optimization based on a selected acoustic parameter. These coefficients are used for ISM rendering early reflections up to the perceptual mixing time, while the measured BRIR tail preserves the characteristics of the late reverberation, enabling the synthesis of different source-listener configurations. Objective evaluation and subjective tests were performed comparing simulations of the hybrid model against real room measurements. The results highlight the importance of parameter tuning and the early-late transition time for achieving perceptually plausible simulations. The proposed method provides a practical solution for generating spatially varying binaural responses from a limited set of measurements.

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Publication Details

Journal
Applied Acoustics
Published
2026-06-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111448
Primary Topic
Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Hybrid ISM+BRIR convolution reverberation acoustic model with tuning of absorption coefficients based on single-position measurements

Luis Molina-Tanco, María Cuevas-Rodríguez, Pablo Gutierrez-Parera, Arcadio Reyes‐Lecuona et al.
Applied Acoustics
Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
article

Hybrid ISM+BRIR convolution reverberation acoustic model with tuning of absorption coefficients based on single-position measurements

Luis Molina-Tanco, María Cuevas-Rodríguez, Pablo Gutierrez-Parera, Arcadio Reyes‐Lecuona, Daniel González-Toledo, Fabián Arrebola Pérez
article en

Abstract

Spatial audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality requires perceptual fidelity and computational efficiency to deliver interactive, immersive experiences across dynamic environments. This paper presents a hybrid reverberation model to render real-time and perceptually convincing binaural room acoustics simulation by combining the Image Source Method (ISM) for early reflections with convolution of a given Binaural Room Impulse Response (BRIR) for late reverberation. The approach uses a single measurement at a fixed room position to derive frequency-dependent wall absorption coefficients by means of an iterative optimization based on a selected acoustic parameter. These coefficients are used for ISM rendering early reflections up to the perceptual mixing time, while the measured BRIR tail preserves the characteristics of the late reverberation, enabling the synthesis of different source-listener configurations. Objective evaluation and subjective tests were performed comparing simulations of the hybrid model against real room measurements. The results highlight the importance of parameter tuning and the early-late transition time for achieving perceptually plausible simulations. The proposed method provides a practical solution for generating spatially varying binaural responses from a limited set of measurements.

Applied AcousticsVol. 254
Universidad de Málaga (ES)
Universidad de Málaga, Junta de Andalucía, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, H2020 European Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
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