Technique for directing audio in augmented reality system

An audio system, comprising:

• at least one sensor configured for detecting a focus of a user on a first sound source;
• a microphone assembly configured for converting sounds into electrical signals;
• a control subsystem configured for determining at least one characteristic of a first sound originating from the first sound source by analyzing the electrical signals corresponding to the first sound, determining at least one characteristic of a second sound originating from a second source different from the first source by analyzing the electrical signals corresponding to the second sound, identifying that the second sound is the same type as the first sound by comparing the at least one characteristic of the second sound to the at least one characteristic of the first sound, emphasizing the first sound and the second sound, determining at least one characteristic of a third sound originating from a third source different from the first source and the second source by analyzing the electrical signals corresponding to the third sound, identifying that the third sound is a different type as the first sound by comparing the at least one characteristic of the third sound to the at least one characteristic of the first sound, deemphasizing the third sound, and modifying the electrical signals based on the emphasized and deemphasized sounds;
• and
• at least one speaker configured for converting the modified electrical signals to sounds for perception by the user.