In the present work, we investigate whether individual Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) have different relevance for varying applications in virtual environments (VE). For this purpose, numerically simulated HRTFs based on 3D scans of 40 participants are compared with a generic KEMAR HRTF and the HRTF of a simplified spherical model in three scenarios: speech perception in a cocktail party situation, music perception in a virtual concert hall, and spatial sound localization accuracy in an anechoic chamber. The results show that the individual HRTFs have a slight advantage, especially in the cocktail party situation and in sound localization. The relevance of individual HRTFs also seems to partly depend on the degree of musical sophistication of the participants.
(See document for exact affiliation information.)
Click to purchase paper as a non-member or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member Join the AES. If you need to check your member status, login to the Member Portal.
