Calculation and Analysis of Near-Field Head-Related Transfer Functions from a Simplified Head-Neck-Torso Model

To evaluate the overall effect of the neck and torso on the head-related transfer function (HRTF), a simplified head-neck-torso (HNT) model, which consists of a spherical head, spherical torso and cylindrical neck, is proposed and the corresponding HRTFs are calculated using the boundary element method (BEM). The results indicate that the HRTF magnitudes for the HNT model are different from those of the existing spherical head-and-torso model (HAT) above 0.5 kHz, especially in the near-field and contralateral region. The discrepancy in the HRTF magnitudes leads to a discrepancy in the interaural level differences (ILDs) for the HNT and HAT models, which reaches a level of ±10 dB at source distance of 0.2 m. As the source distance increases, the discrepancy in the results of the HNT and HAT models reduces. Measurement on practical HNT and HAT models validates the analysis. Therefore, the neck influences near-field HRTFs and should be included in the near-field HRTF calculation.