Listening Tests with Individual versus Generic Head-Related Transfer Functions in Six-Degrees-of-Freedom Virtual Reality

Individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) improve localization accuracy and externalization in binaural audio reproduction compared to generic HRTFs. Listening tests are often conducted using generic HRTFs due to the difficulty of obtaining individual HRTFs for all participants. This study explores the ramifications of the choice of HRTFs for critical listening in a six-degrees-of-freedom audio-visual virtual environment, when participants are presented with an overall audio quality evaluation task. The study consists of two sessions using either individual or generic HRTFs. A small effect between the sessions is observed in a condition where elevation cues are impaired. Other conditions are rated similarly between individual and generic HRTFs.