Modelling audiovisual seat preference in virtual concert halls

Enjoying a music concert is a multisensory experience, which mostly involves auditory and visual perception. However, the quality of acoustics and view may vary greatly within an auditorium. This study investigates preference at various seats within two size variations of an auditorium, through a virtual-reality subjective experiment with realistic visual and auditory renders assessed by 33 participants. The study builds on an orthogonally controlled pilot study, and refines a prediction model for overall audiovisual seat preference. The final model that explains 93% of variance includes negative effects of distance to stage, lateral angle from centreline, and obstruction of stage view, a positive effect of early sound strength (Gearly), and a polynomial effect of vertical angle from stage plane. Other acoustic parameters do not further significantly contribute to seat preference. Findings highlight the potentially strong influence of stage-view on the audiovisual quality of concert auditoria.