Virtual audio processing for loudspeaker or headphone playback

A method for processing audio signals comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least one audio signal having at least a right side channel signal and a left side channel signal;
• processing the right and left side channel signals to extract a center channel signal;
• further processing the right and left side channel signals with a first virtualizer processor, thereby creating a right virtualized channel signal and a left virtualized channel signal;
• processing the center channel signal with a spatial extensor to produce distinct left and right outputs, thereby expanding the center channel with a pseudo-stereo effect;
• and
• summing the right and left outputs with the right and left virtualized channel signals to produce at least one modified side channel output.

An audio signal processing apparatus comprising:

• at least one audio signal having at least a center channel signal, a right side channel signal, and a left side channel signal;
• a processor for receiving the right and left side channel signals, the processor processing the right and left side channel signals with a first virtualizer processor, thereby creating a right virtualized channel signal and a left virtualized channel signal;
• a spatial extensor for receiving the center channel signal, the spatial extensor processing the center channel signal to produce distinct right and left output signals, thereby expanding the center channel with a pseudo-stereo effect;
• and
• a mixer for summing the right and left output signals with the right and left virtualized channel signals to produce at least one modified side channel output.