Artificial Head and Binaural Recording

HMS V

With the HMS V, you perform binaural equalisation immediately during the measurement. The headphone jack enables playback or monitoring during measurement using HEAD acoustics headphones.

With two parallel analog-to-digital converters (Dual ADC technology), the HMS V covers the entire audible dynamic range, rendering measuring range changes obsolete.

HMS IV.0

The artificial head HMS IV.0 binaural recording system is best known for aurally accurate recordings. The 24-bit signal processing technology, makes the dynamic range of the HMS IV.0 comparable to that of human hearing. 

Via the integrated headphone output, the recordings can be played back immediately after saving with aurally accurate equalisation.

The analog HEAD Shoulder Unit (HSU) artificial head microphone series is ideal for creating reproducible, binaural recordings. These recordings and their aurally accurate playback provide the ideal basis for assessing the quality of product noise.

These artificial heads reliably reproduce all acoustically relevant parts of the human ear, head and shoulders, and as a result the HSU artificial head microphone has the same influence on the sound field as a human body would. 

To play back the recordings so that they are aurally accurate, they have to be equalised separately.

HMS II.3

HMS II.3 is the fullband artificial head ideal for measuring voice and audio quality of close-to-the-ear audio and telecommunication devices (e.g. mobile phones, handsets, ANC headphones/headsets, smart speaker). In addition, the artificial head allows measurements even of far-to-the-ear communication devices like hands-free systems or smart speakers. The head and torso simulator provides geometric and acoustic characteristics according to recommendation ITU-T P.58 and thus replicates all acoustically relevant structures of the human anatomy.

HMS II.3 supports measurements in sending and receiving direction. For this purpose, the artificial head is equipped with an artificial ear on the right side and a two-way mouth loudspeaker – both meeting the requirements in the recommendations ITU-T P.57 and P.58.

HMS II.3 LN

The fullband artificial head measurement system HMS II.3 LN allows low-noise measurements. Occluded ear simulators with highly sensitive microphones ensure very low inherent noise (16 dBSPL(A)) with this artificial head variant. This makes HMS II.3 LN the ideal choice for assessing the quality of close-to-the-ear and in-ear audio and communication equipment. Due to the maximum sound pressure level of 148 dBSPL, the artificial head is also suitable for measurements of far-to-the-ear transducers in hands-free systems, in-car communication systems or smart speaker.

HMS II.3 LN HEC

HMS II.3 LN HEC is an artificial head measurement system with an artificial mouth and a low-noise right ear simulator with a human-like ear canal. The system is ideally suited for measuring arbitrary intra-concha and insert-type devices.

• Mobile phones and handsets
• Headsets, headphones like in-ear buds, and wearables – with and without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Hearing aids and active/passive hearing protection
• In-vehicle applications like hands-free terminals, in-car communication (ICC) systems, infotainment systems, emergency call (eCall) devices
• Voice-controlled smart home devices like smart speakers and other IoT devices
• Conference phones and hands-free devices

HMS II.3 ViBRIDGE

HMS II.3 ViBRIDGE is an artificial head measurement system with an artificial mouth and two low-noise ear simulators with a human-like ear canal and bone conduction simulation. The system is ideally suited for measuring intra-concha and inserttype devices that utilize human structure-borne sound.

• HMS II.3 VIBRIDGE is especially well-suited for accurately testing in-ear headsets that utilise bone-conducted sound as an additional source for the wearer's speech signal
• The artificial head is equipped with two low-noise ear simulators, pinnae with a human-like ear canal and bone conduction simulation, and a full-band-capable artificial mouth

HMS II.4

HMS II.4 is an artificial head measurement system with an ear simulator compliant with IEC 60318-4. Without an artificial mouth, the system is ideally suited for use-cases that do not include measurements in sending direction. It can also be used in complement to an existing HATS if an artificial mouth is not required for the second unit, e.g. as a listener.

• Mobile phones and handsets
• Headsets, headphones like in-ear buds, and wearables – with and without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Hearing aids and active/passive hearing protection
• In-vehicle applications like hands-free terminals, in-car communication (ICC) systems, infotainment systems, emergency call (eCall) devices
• Voice-controlled smart home devices like smart speakers and other IoT devices
• Conference phones and hands-free devices

HMS II.5

HMS II.5 is a HEAD acoustics artificial head measurement system ideally suited for all measurements in sending direction in the field of telecommunications under realistic conditions. It comprises an artificial mouth and can easily be upgraded with one or two ear simulators. HMS II.5 is applicable to any scenario that requires only talking, e.g.:

• Testing automatic speech recognition systems
• Testing ANC talk-through functionality
• Tests requiring a second / external talker

HMS II.6

The fullband artificial head HMS II.6 is ideally suited for all acoustical far-to-the-ear measurements of voice and audio quality. It is capable of measuring sound sources far-to-the-ear like automotive hands-free devices, smart speaker or conference phones in sending and receiving direction. The head and torso simulator provides geometric and acoustic characteristics according to recommendation ITU-T P.58 and thus replicates all acoustically relevant structures of the human anatomy.

HMS II.6 supports measurements in sending and receiving direction. For this purpose, the artificial head is equipped with a two-way mouth loudspeaker and two low-noise free-field microphones (left and right ear). Since no impedance simulation is conducted, this version of the artificial head is not suited for measurements of sound sources close-to-the-ear such as headphones, headsets, and handsets.

BHS II

BHS II is a headphone/microphone unit used to make binaural recordings easily and without significant configuration effort. Like the HSU artificial head series and the BHM III headset microphone, the binaural headset makes aurally accurate recordings of sounds with two ICP^® microphones. Subsequent playback gives the listener the impression of standing in the original sound field. Its low weight and removable wind screen make the BHS II binaural headset ideal for recording sounds on the go or in the field. The microphones positioned in the adjustable earpieces feature TEDS functionality and can be calibrated.

BHM III.3

The binaural headset microphone BHM III.3 is the perfect choice when it is not possible to use an artificial head for binaural recordings. This may be the case, for example, in the driver’s seat of a moving car. In this example, the driver uses the headset microphone to fulfill the acoustic function of the standard artificial head.

The BHM headset microphone supports all characteristics of human hearing perception. It can be calibrated and is also exceptionally low-noise. Defined acoustic impedance seals the entrance to the ear canal. Ear cones positioned at the entrance to the ear canal guide the sound toward two highly sensitive ICP® microphones that are found in special capsules outside the ears.

B2U USB

The B2U headphone adapter with equalization function offers a simple entry into the world of binaural recording.

Simplest operation and high quality: The small and lightweight B2U is a compact entry into the world of binaural recording and playback. With minimal effort, it connects the BHS II headset with a mobile device (iOS^®/iPadOS^®) and the HEAD B2U app. Furthermore, recording, playback and analyzing with ArtemiS SUITE is possible on a Windows system.