the recent 2-channel 3D sound formats and their viability for actual f Options

[BearcatSandor]

(I posted this on the [SurSound] list but i'd like to get more takes on it.)
I'm interested in the idea of 360 horizontal surround sound but more interested in a sphere recreation.
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Folks,

I've been reading up on the various proposals for 3D sound from a set of
stereo speakers. The 3D Audio Alliance is working on such a system.
Astound Surround is getting ready to market, Edward Choueiri is working
on the same idea (see:
http://www.studio360.org/2011/apr/29/adventures-3d-sound/ ) and there
are others. I used to have a Carver pre-amp with Carver's Holography
button but i could never get it to do much.

Has anyone heard a truly 3D/360 surround effect from 2 speakers using
this stuff? Ever heard a fly buzzing around your head, or an object in
the back far-left of you or some such? Can any of this do as good of a
job as Ambisonics? Is all of this just related to head transfer
function mathematics?

I've listened to some of the headphone applications of this like
binaural and whatever these folks are doing here
http://www.3d60.co.uk/index.php That demo on the 3D60 page sounds
really cool, however nothing ever sounds like it's more than a foot from
my head and nothing is ever right in front of me. Why can't they create
an effect of something coming from a long distance away and getting
closer and closer behind me? If it's all related to head transfer
function you'd think you could create any sound your ears can hear.

I'm looking at my audio system building options and I'd love to throw my
money/space decor at 2 really good speakers and a good 2 channel pre-amp
instead of 12 speakers in an ambisonic system with all the associated
electronics.

Any thoughts on all this 3D through 2 channel stuff?

Thanks,

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Further thoughts i've had are that i don't understand how this works given crosstalk, the differences in everyone's rooms, the differences in everyone's hearing, outer ear/head shapes ect. If this is relying on head position to create the same sounds as they would be after HRTF isn't that one hell of a sweet spot?

In review (and i've only read one) of the system put out by the 3D Audio Alliance the person listening to it described hearing the sound of a dog off to his back right. From two speakers. That's really awesome..if it works.

Bearcat

[BearcatSandor]

That was a very informative post. Thank you. I used to have a Carver pre-amp with the "Sonic Holography". I couldn't get it to do much either.

One thing that i don't understand: recording engineers must be taking the cross-talk into account when they record things, right? So if you reduce the cross-talk, aren't you messing things up further?

I donno wether "3d" recordings are done with out any crosstalk or how they differ in that regard.

This post has been edited by BearcatSandor: Aug 1 2011, 06:46