Phantom center image control

An automobile audio system comprising:

• a set of speakers for generating an audio output in an automobile;
• and
• a control system comprising a user interface, the control system coupled with the set of speakers and configured to:
• receive at least one user interface command, via the user interface, to modify a phantom center image of the audio output from the set of speakers,
• wherein the phantom center image of the audio output comprises a designated position of sound produced by the set of speakers other than physical locations of the set of speakers;
• and
• adjust a perceived location of the phantom center image of the audio output from the set of speakers based upon the at least one user interface command to modify the phantom center image of the audio output,
• wherein the set of speakers provides the audio output across a soundstage with an approximately static left channel output and approximately static right channel output while adjusting the perceived location of the phantom center image of the audio output, and wherein the designated position of sound produced by the set of speakers in the audio system is detectable by a user and comprises an inter-aural phase and inter-aural level as perceived by the user that is consistent with a source from the designated position.

A computer-implemented method of controlling an audio system with at least two inputs in an automobile, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one user interface command to modify a phantom center image of audio output from the audio system in the automobile,
• wherein the phantom center image of the audio output comprises a designated position of sound produced by a set of speakers in the audio system other than physical locations of the set of speakers in the audio system;
• and
• adjusting a perceived location of the phantom center image of the audio output from the audio system based upon the at least one user interface command to modify the phantom center image of the audio output,
• wherein the phantom center image is initially set to a default designated position.

A computer-implemented method of controlling an audio system with at least two inputs in an automobile, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one user interface command to modify a phantom center image of audio output from the audio system in the automobile,
• wherein the phantom center image of the audio output comprises a designated position of sound produced by a set of speakers in the audio system other than physical locations of the set of speakers in the audio system;
• and
• adjusting a perceived location of the phantom center image of the audio output from the audio system based upon the at least one user interface command to modify the phantom center image of the audio output,
• wherein the perceived location of the phantom center image is adjustable across a range of pre-defined angles, wherein the adjusting comprises matching the at least one user interface command to a nearest one of the pre-defined angles to provide the adjusted perceived location of the phantom center image of the audio output.