Why Did Darwinism Emerge?

[Spud Murfy]

That doesn't necessarily show that ear lobes improve hearing, though, does it, merely that they in some way modify it.

If the modification is directionally-dependent, then it will help you localise sound sources.

Then again, Wikipedia says ear lobes with their blood supply might be to help keep your ears warm instead.

 

[8ball]

That doesn't necessarily show that ear lobes improve hearing, though, does it, merely that they in some way modify it.

Yes, I was thinking in a simplistic 'lobes vs. no lobes' sense.

I think that particular binaural recording is enhanced by the architectural design of barber shops, adding to the suggestion of things going on generally 'behind' you - otherwise there would be no 'front/back' element*. From what I recall 'front/back' and 'top/bottom' location is a little more complex involving resonators in the sinuses as well as the skull, and also modifications in head position and feedback from other senses, which is why 'full 3d headphones' haven't been nailed yet (there are various types you can get using different techniques, varying wildly in effect - I was thinking of getting some a while back before giving up on the technology as it was at the time).

* - 'Left/right' being a mixture of volume and arrival time, as explained in the recording.

 

[Spud Murfy]

The Wikipedia entry on the head-related transfer function is worth reading. There's more going on in that recording than inter-ear differences in volume and arrival time, which you can get just by positioning two omnidirectional mics a short distance apart, what's called a spaced array or A-B stereo.

 

[8ball]

The Wikipedia entry on the head-related transfer function is worth reading. There's more going on in that recording than inter-ear differences in volume and arrival time, which you can get just by positioning two omnidirectional mics a short distance apart, what's called a spaced array or A-B stereo.

Getting proper technical now.

 

[Spud Murfy]

I think that particular binaural recording is enhanced by the architectural design of barber shops, adding to the suggestion of things going on generally 'behind' you

That's a really good point. If you hear an outdoors recording where there's a light aircraft flying overhead, it can sound like the noise of the plane is coming from 'up there', but there's no way the recording or playback system could encode that kind of information. It's the brain filling in the details, based on past experience.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

If the modification is directionally-dependent, then it will help you localise sound sources.

But if the modification by the rest of the outer ear is already directionally dependent, it might not make much difference.

Not saying they don't help localising sound. I'm just trying to think what it would be about lobes specifically that would do something that the rest of the ear doesn't.

 

[8ball]

That's a really good point. If you hear an outdoors recording where there's a light aircraft flying overhead, it can sound like the noise of the plane is coming from 'up there', but there's no way the recording or playback system could encode that kind of information. It's the brain filling in the details, based on past experience.

Do one flying over your head from front to back and I'll be really impressed.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

That's a really good point. If you hear an outdoors recording where there's a light aircraft flying overhead, it can sound like the noise of the plane is coming from 'up there', but there's no way the recording or playback system could encode that kind of information. It's the brain filling in the details, based on past experience.

Indeed. The proper 3D sound experience involves ears, eyes, touch, all the senses, plus memory!

 

[Spud Murfy]

But if the modification by the rest of the outer ear is already directionally dependent, it might not make much difference.

Not saying they don't help localising sound. I'm just trying to think what it would be about lobes specifically that would do something that the rest of the ear doesn't.

I don't know. But they're at the base of outer ear, so they might help with up/down localisation, if they help at all.

 

[Spud Murfy]

Indeed. The proper 3D sound experience involves ears, eyes, touch, all the senses, plus memory!

A really good sound recording is actually an improvement on video - the pictures are better

 

[Spud Murfy]

Do one flying over your head from front to back and I'll be really impressed.

Not just you. btw can you remember what make the 3D headphones were?

 

[8ball]

Not just you. btw can you remember what make the 3D headphones were?

Creative were doing some (aimed at gaming), and there were some more 'audiophile' ones marketed as 'quadrophonic' from some makes I recognised but can't remember right now.

I don't think any of them had any 'up/down' positioning going on.

edit: sennheiser and logitech had some too

 

[William of Walworth]

Good to read yer again Spud!

 

[Disjecta Membra]

There is Know why, inless the universe has used complexity to reach consciousness as a way of looking and analysing itself.

 

[8ball]

There is Know why, inless the universe has used complexity to reach consciousness as a way of looking and analysing itself.

Maaaan.