Abstract: A method and a device for sound field reproduction from a first audio input signal uses a plurality of loudspeakers for synthesizing a sound field within a preferred listening area in which none of the loudspeakers are located and therefore described as emanating from a virtual source. The method further includes the steps of calculating a plurality of positioning filter coefficients using virtual source description data and loudspeaker description data according to a sound field reproduction technique; and modifying the first audio input signal using the positioning filter coefficients to form second audio input signals. A loudspeaker ranking of the importance of each loudspeaker for the synthesis of the sound field within the preferred listening area is therefore defined. Then, second audio input signals are modified according to the loudspeaker ranking to form third audio input signals. Finally, the loudspeakers are alimented with the third audio input signals which synthesize a sound field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for sound field reproduction from a first audio input signal (1) using a plurality of loudspeakers (2) aiming at synthesizing a sound field within a preferred listening area (6) in which none of the loudspeakers (2) are located, said being described as emanating from a virtual source (5). The method further comprises steps of calculating a plurality of positioning filters (7) using virtual source description data (8) and loudspeaker description data (9) according to a sound field reproduction technique, and modifying the first audio input signal (1) using the positioning filter coefficients (7) to form second audio input signals (3). Therefore, a loudspeaker ranking (11) of the importance of each loudspeaker (2) for the synthesis of the sound field within the preferred listening area (6) is defined. Then, second audio input signals (6) are modified according to the loudspeaker ranking (11) to form third audio input signals (12).