A method and system for attenuating noise comprises identifying a location in an area at which sound emitted from one or more speakers has acoustic characteristics that are substantially similar in measure to corresponding acoustic characteristics of the emitted sound at a location approximated to be near an ear of an occupant of the area. A microphone, which may be a virtual microphone, is disposed at the identified location. The microphone detects sound at the identified location. In response to the sound detected by the microphone, the one or more speakers emit a noise-canceling audio signal adapted to attenuate one or more frequencies in the sound detected by the microphone.