KEMAR head-and-torso simulator

The lab’s GRAS KEMAR (Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research) is a head-and-torso simulator whose dimensions and ear geometry represent a median adult, giving realistic, repeatable measurements of sound as it arrives at a listener’s ears.

What it’s used for

• Measuring head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) and binaural cues — a core thread of ACUTE’s spatial-audio work (see the Viking HRTF Dataset).
• Binaural recording for immersive audio, VR/AR, and listening tests.
• Evaluation of headphones, hearing aids, hearing protection, and other on/over-ear devices.
• Studies with custom and 3D-printed pinna replicas to isolate how ear shape shapes spatial hearing.

Access for collaborators

Available for binaural measurement campaigns and device evaluation. It pairs directly with the anechoic chamber and the lab’s multichannel audio front end.

See the manufacturer page for the base platform: GRAS KEMAR.