Modified Directional Effect

A media playback system comprising:

• a processor;
• a network interface;
• a first audio driver and a second audio driver, wherein the first and second audio drivers are configured to output audio content according to a first radiation pattern that produces an inherent directional effect;
• and
• data storage storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the media playback system to perform operations comprising:
• receiving, via the network interface, first data representing a first channel of multi-channel audio content and second data representing a second channel of the multi-channel audio content, wherein the first and second data comprises audio data over a range of frequencies;
• receiving third data comprising positions of one or more listeners in a listening area in which the media playback system operates;
• determining, based on the third data, a first transfer function corresponding to the first audio driver and a second transfer function corresponding to the second audio driver, wherein at least one of the first and second transfer functions configure the first and second audio drivers to output audio content according to a second radiation pattern that produces a modified directional effect relative to the first radiation pattern;
• generating a first audio output signal and a second audio output signal, wherein generating the first audio output signal comprises applying the first transfer function to the first data and the second data, and wherein generating the second audio output signal comprises applying the second transfer function to the first data and the second data;
• and
• providing the first audio output signal to the first audio driver and the second audio output signal to the second audio driver, thereby causing the first and second audio drivers to play back the multi-channel audio content according to the second radiation pattern.