Multi-dimensional reproduction system

A multi-dimensional sound reproduction system for reproducing binaural audio signals having first and second channels, comprising:

• a binaural audio signal source for generating first and second channels of binaural audio signals associated with the right and left ears, respectively, of a listener;
• a first localized speaker for outputting as binaural sound the binaural audio signal associated with one ear of the listener;
• a second localized speaker for outputting as binaural sound the binaural audio signal associated with the other ear of the listener;
• a support member for being supported on the head of the listener;
• and
• first and second speaker housings secured to said support member, each of said first and second speaker housings supporting said first and second localized speakers, respectively, in a position wherein said first and second localized speakers are disposed proximate to and away from the associated one of the left and right ears of the listener;
• wherein said first and second speaker housings secure and orient said associated first and second localized speakers, respectively, such that they are directed rearward toward the associated one of the pinnas of the associated one of the left and right ears of the listener and slightly forward thereof, such that each of said first and second localized speakers does not substantially disturb the natural response of the ears of the listener relative to the binaural sound output by said first and second localized speakers.

A method for reproducing binaural audio signals having first and second channels, comprising the steps of:

• generating the first and second channels of binaural audio signals associated with the left and right ears of a listener, respectively;
• disposing a first localized speaker proximate to the zygomatic arch of one of the left and right ears of the listener for substantially all positions of the head of the listener, and directed rearward toward the pinna of the one of the left and right ears of the listener for substantially all positions of the head of the listener, and in such a position that the first localized speaker does not substantially disturb the natural frequency response of the ears of the listener relative to the binaural sound output by the first localized speaker, the first localized speaker being sufficiently close to the head, such that cross-talk between the first localized speaker and the ear of the listener on the opposite side of the head is substantially minimized;
• disposing a second localized speaker on the opposite side of the head from the first localized speaker and proximate to the zygomatic arch of the other of the left and right ears of the listener for substantially all positions of the head of the listener, and directed rearward toward the pinna of the other of the left and right ears of the listener for substantially all positions of the head of the listener, and in such a position that the second localized speaker does not substantially disturb the natural frequency response of the ears of the listener relative to the binaural sound output by the second localized speaker, the second localized speaker being sufficiently close to the head such that cross-talk between the second localized speaker and the ear on the opposite side of the head is substantially minimized;
• inputting the first channel of the audio signal to the first localized speaker and outputting binaural sound therefrom;
• inputting the second channel of the audio signal to the second localized speaker and outputting binaural sound therefrom;
• and
• supporting the first and second localized speakers in their respective position such that the relative positions are substantially fixed relative to the head of the listener and for substantially all positions of the head of the listener.