Comparison of virtual reality and web-based listening experiments on the perception in complex auralized environments

Listening experiments are crucial for understanding human sound perception. In overall human perception, combined audiovisual effects play an important role. However, traditional virtual reality (VR) setups, consisting of a head-mounted display (HMD) and headphones, are limited by their need for expensive equipment and time-consuming laboratory sessions. Striving for alternatives, online experiments have demonstrated their potential in other areas of research. However, these experiments have been restricted to basic setups lacking interactivity. This study presents a web-based approach with audiovisual experiments being run on a server and streamed in real time. To this end, two reproduction setups are compared: an immersive laboratory setup (HMD-based visualization with controller navigation and headphones) and a consumer setup (screen-based visualization with keyboard navigation and headphones). The experiment comprises quality ratings and noise assessments of four auralized noise conditions with additional visualization. For noise perception experiments, the results are promising, showing minimal differences in questionnaire ratings between VR and streaming reproduction. Visual quality ratings suffered mildly in the consumer setup, but auralization quality was rated similarly positive in both cases. Even for lower feeling of presence in the consumer setup, the subjects' attention remained similarly high. Finally, accessibility and quality ratings indicate promising results, too.