AMBI@home - The search for extra-frontal intelligence

This paper describes the setup and calibration of a DoItYourself Ambisonic surround listening rig made from comparatively cheap components. The rig comprises a Linux audio workstation with JACK, Ardour2, AmbDec, and the JACE convolution engine. The DRC room correction software is used to compensate for room and speaker deficiencies. It is shown that a determined amateur can obtain very good results using only free software and commodity hardware in a standard domestic environment, and that dedicated Ambisonic playback systems based on such components might eventually be commercially feasible for a limited market of enthusiasts.