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The whole point of binaural recording is to exploit the shape of the human ear to encode spatial information.

A binaural recording setup uses an artificial head with artificial ears, with the microphone capsules located where the eardrum would be. The microphones capture the phase and magnitude effects of the head and outer ear. Unless you have really weird ears or really bad headphones, the effect is extraordinarily lifelike.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binaural_recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTkVnb3TXO8

It's also possible to process sounds digitally to create a binaural effect using convolution. Using a mathematical model of the ear and head (a head-related transfer function), you can position sounds in a 3D space around the listener. Many games offer HRTF audio and it provides remarkably accurate spatial information. HRTF audio is a key aspect of the immersiveness of VR experiences. It's possible to generate a unique HRTF based on your own anatomy, using either an audio capture from a microphone placed inside the ear or a 3D scan of the user's head.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head-related_transfer_function

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dxIK3-vqpc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMDVJWExcxY



> A binaural recording setup uses an artificial head with artificial ears

It can also use a real head with real ears and e.g. the Roland CS-10EM binaural headphones (which I've had reasonable success with.)




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