Influence of Multichannel versus Stereo Formats on Narrative Engagement:A Comparative Study Using Physiological and Self-Report Measures

As spatial audio technology rapidly evolves, the conversation around immersion becomes ever more relevant, particularly in how these advancements enhance the creation of compelling sonic experiences. However, immersion is a complex, multidimensional construct, making it challenging to study in its entirety. This paper narrows the focus to one particular dimension—narrative engagement—to explore how it shapes the immersive experience. Specifically, we investigate whether the multichannel audio format, here 7.1.4, enhances narrative engagement compared to traditional stereo storytelling. Participants were exposed to two storytelling examples: one in an immersive format and another in a stereo fold-down. Physiological responses were recorded during listening sessions, followed by a self-report survey adapted from the Narrative Engagement Scale. The lack of significant differences between two formats in both subjective and objective measures is discussed in the context of existing studies.<br/>