Effects of spectral manipulation on nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)

Richard H.Y. So; N. M. Leung; Andrew B. Horner; Jonas Braasch; K. L. Leung

doi:10.1177/0018720811406883

Effects of spectral manipulation on nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)

Richard H.Y. So, N. M. Leung, Andrew B. Horner, Jonas Braasch, K. L. Leung

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Directional sounds simulated using nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) often result in front-back confusion.Objective: This study was designed to examine how manipulating these nonindividualized HRTF spectra can reduce front-back confusion in headphone-simulated directional sounds. Method: HRTFs of six ear-level directions were studied (angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, 180°, 225°, and 315°). The HRTF gains in each of six frequency bands (200 to 690 Hz, 690 to 2400 Hz, 2400 to 6500 Hz, 6500 to 10000 Hz, 10000 to 14000 Hz, and 14000 to 22000 Hz) were amplified or attenuated by 0, 12, or 18 dB. Each manipulated HRTF generated a directional sound stimulus. For this study, 32 participants were invited to localize the randomly ordered stimuli. Results: The results indicate that a 12- or 18-dB manipulation of five of the six frequency bands produced significantly better directional accuracy, with significantly less front-back confusion. A reduction of up to 70% in localization error was obtained, along with 66% less front-back confusion. Significant interactions were found between the manipulation level and frequency. Conclusion: A 12-dB spectral manipulation of selected HRTF frequency bands produces better directional accuracy. Application: The results of this research could be applied to the development of tunable nonindividualized HRTFs for audio products.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	271-283
Number of pages	13
Journal	Human Factors
Volume	53
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720811406883
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2011

Keywords

binaural directional cues
HRTFs
sound localization
spectral cues
virtual surround sound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Human Factors and Ergonomics
Applied Psychology
Behavioral Neuroscience

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10.1177/0018720811406883

Cite this

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title = "Effects of spectral manipulation on nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)",

abstract = "Background: Directional sounds simulated using nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) often result in front-back confusion.Objective: This study was designed to examine how manipulating these nonindividualized HRTF spectra can reduce front-back confusion in headphone-simulated directional sounds. Method: HRTFs of six ear-level directions were studied (angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, 180°, 225°, and 315°). The HRTF gains in each of six frequency bands (200 to 690 Hz, 690 to 2400 Hz, 2400 to 6500 Hz, 6500 to 10000 Hz, 10000 to 14000 Hz, and 14000 to 22000 Hz) were amplified or attenuated by 0, 12, or 18 dB. Each manipulated HRTF generated a directional sound stimulus. For this study, 32 participants were invited to localize the randomly ordered stimuli. Results: The results indicate that a 12- or 18-dB manipulation of five of the six frequency bands produced significantly better directional accuracy, with significantly less front-back confusion. A reduction of up to 70% in localization error was obtained, along with 66% less front-back confusion. Significant interactions were found between the manipulation level and frequency. Conclusion: A 12-dB spectral manipulation of selected HRTF frequency bands produces better directional accuracy. Application: The results of this research could be applied to the development of tunable nonindividualized HRTFs for audio products.",

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N2 - Background: Directional sounds simulated using nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) often result in front-back confusion.Objective: This study was designed to examine how manipulating these nonindividualized HRTF spectra can reduce front-back confusion in headphone-simulated directional sounds. Method: HRTFs of six ear-level directions were studied (angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, 180°, 225°, and 315°). The HRTF gains in each of six frequency bands (200 to 690 Hz, 690 to 2400 Hz, 2400 to 6500 Hz, 6500 to 10000 Hz, 10000 to 14000 Hz, and 14000 to 22000 Hz) were amplified or attenuated by 0, 12, or 18 dB. Each manipulated HRTF generated a directional sound stimulus. For this study, 32 participants were invited to localize the randomly ordered stimuli. Results: The results indicate that a 12- or 18-dB manipulation of five of the six frequency bands produced significantly better directional accuracy, with significantly less front-back confusion. A reduction of up to 70% in localization error was obtained, along with 66% less front-back confusion. Significant interactions were found between the manipulation level and frequency. Conclusion: A 12-dB spectral manipulation of selected HRTF frequency bands produces better directional accuracy. Application: The results of this research could be applied to the development of tunable nonindividualized HRTFs for audio products.

AB - Background: Directional sounds simulated using nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) often result in front-back confusion.Objective: This study was designed to examine how manipulating these nonindividualized HRTF spectra can reduce front-back confusion in headphone-simulated directional sounds. Method: HRTFs of six ear-level directions were studied (angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, 180°, 225°, and 315°). The HRTF gains in each of six frequency bands (200 to 690 Hz, 690 to 2400 Hz, 2400 to 6500 Hz, 6500 to 10000 Hz, 10000 to 14000 Hz, and 14000 to 22000 Hz) were amplified or attenuated by 0, 12, or 18 dB. Each manipulated HRTF generated a directional sound stimulus. For this study, 32 participants were invited to localize the randomly ordered stimuli. Results: The results indicate that a 12- or 18-dB manipulation of five of the six frequency bands produced significantly better directional accuracy, with significantly less front-back confusion. A reduction of up to 70% in localization error was obtained, along with 66% less front-back confusion. Significant interactions were found between the manipulation level and frequency. Conclusion: A 12-dB spectral manipulation of selected HRTF frequency bands produces better directional accuracy. Application: The results of this research could be applied to the development of tunable nonindividualized HRTFs for audio products.

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Effects of spectral manipulation on nonindividualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)

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Keywords

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