31 marzo – 1 aprile 2026 University of Leeds, School of Music — Leeds, Regno Unito
Il Spatial Audio Gathering è un convegno internazionale dedicato alla ricerca e alla pratica dell'audio spaziale, organizzato dalla School of Music dell'Università di Leeds. L'edizione 2026 ha riunito ricercatori, compositori e sound designer da istituzioni europee e internazionali, con contributi che spaziano dalla produzione musicale elettroacustica alle applicazioni teatrali e cinematografiche delle tecnologie audio immersive.
Titolo del poster
Empirical Evaluation of Immersive In-Headphone Spatial Audio: Practice-as-Research in Contemporary Theater
This paper presents the findings of a Practice-as-Research study (MacLeod & Duerden, 2021), analyzing the application and audience impact of in- headphone spatial sound in a contemporary theatrical production. The research addresses a critical need for empirical data regarding the emotional and cognitive effectiveness of immersive audio techniques in live performance settings, aiming to bridge the gap between technical potential (Wightman & Kistler, 1989) and real-world perception.
The study is centered around a critically-acclaimed production where binaural sound design serves as a core dramaturgical element, redefining the boundaries between stage action and the audience’s individual experience. The creative approach leverages sound recording as an expressive opportunity (Giovannucci, 2015), aligning with broader discussions on theater and technology (Dente, 2002). The compositional methodology employed Binaural Ambisonic spatialisation using a commercial-grade plug-in within a professional Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) environment, documented to demonstrate the fusion of the artistic process with performance demands.
To assess the technique’s effectiveness and the achieved level of auditory realism (Guastavino et al., 2007), a quantitative data collection protocol was implemented using a post-performance questionnaire administered to a significant audience sample. The questionnaire explored key perceptual variables, including the perceived level of perceptual, narrative, and emotional immersion (Stenzel et al., 2021), the contribution of spatialisation to emotional involvement, the influence on the perception of scenic space, and overall narrative clarity.
Detailed analysis of the collected data provides empirical validation of in-headphone spatial sound as a potent expressive tool in theater. The results indicate a significant correlation between the perceived movement of sounds and an intensified sense of presence. This work contributes to the literature on applied spatial audio and real-world use-cases in the arts, providing evidence-based guidelines for composers and sound designers working with innovative sound diffusion systems for the stage.
Keywords: Spatial Audio, Headphone Spatialisation, Immersive Theatre, Audience Perception, Empirical Study, Practice-as-Research, Applied Sound Design
References
Dente, C. (2002). Teatro e Tecnologia. Fictions. Studi sulla narratività, I. Istituti Editoriali e Poligrafici Internazionali.
Giovannucci, A. (2015). Il suono imprigionato. La registrazione sonora come opportunità espressiva. In E. Fazzini & G. Grimaldi (Eds.), Ricerche e prospettive di Teatro e Musica. Edizioni Universitarie di Lettere Economia Diritto (LED).
Guastavino, C., Katz, B. F. G., and Barbagallo, A. (2007). An empirical study of immersion and auditory realism in virtual acoustic environments. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 93(1), 149–160.
MacLeod, S. and Duerden, J. (2021). Practice-as-Research: an evolving perspective for creative arts practice. Journal of Visual Arts Practice, 20(1), 1–16.
Stenzel, F., Diederichs, F., R ̈osler, D., and Fels, J. (2021). Spatial audio production for immersive media experiences: Perspectives on practice-led approaches to designing immersive audio content. The Soundtrack, 15(1), 21–39.
Wightman, F. L. and Kistler, D. J. (1989). Headphone simulation of free-field listening. II: Psychophysical validation. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 85(2), 858–867.
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