Separate effects of auditory and visual room size on auditorium seat preference: a virtual reality study

Abstract

Audiovisual integrations and interactions happen everywhere, including in music concerts, where combined visual and auditory perception contributes to overall enjoyment. Thirty-three participants evaluated their overall subjective preference at various seats in four virtual auditoria, which comprised congruent and incongruent auditory and visual renders of two auditoria that differ only in size. Results show no significant difference between participants who completed the experiment in a fully calibrated and standardized laboratory environment and participants who completed remotely using various VR equipment in various environments. Both visual and auditory auditorium size have significant main effects, but no interaction. The larger hall is preferred for both conditions. Audiovisual congruency does not significantly affect preference.

Finding the Seat With the Best View: Stage-View Preference for Orchestra

“…This effect is investigated in further studies (Y. Chen, 2022; Y. Chen et al, 2022), in which similar 3D orchestra was shown in virtual reality but with realistic auditoria renders instead of plain black background as in the current study, and results show that distance has a larger effect on preference when visual environment is present, which may be related to that visual distance perception is affected by environmental cues.…”

“…Some follow up studies have already verified and refined the prediction model (Y. Chen, 2022; Y. Chen et al, 2022).…”

“…While it has been compared with some existing case studies and an online survey, more future work needs to be done to verify and refine the prediction model in different types and sizes of real auditoria, to determine its applications and limitations, and add any additional influential factors that were not examined in the current study. Some follow up studies have already verified and refined the prediction model (Y. Chen, 2022; Y.…”

“…When the visual environment is present, the perception of distance and preference may be affected. This effect is investigated in further studies (Y. Chen, 2022; Y.…”

“…The method is further tested and verified in comparison to more traditional laboratory-based experiments (Y. Chen, 2022; Y. Chen et al, 2022).…”