Latency and Quality of Experience in Immersive Networked Music Performances using Higher-Order Ambisonics Spatial Audio

Immersive Networked Music Performances (INMP) rely heavily on low-latency transmission and accurate preservation of spatial audio to guarantee satisfying experiences for performers and audiences alike. This study investigates the implications of streaming higher-order Ambisonics spatial audio over the internet, between two locations, and their impact on the musicians’ performances. We extensively evaluate subjective Quality of Experience (QoE) under varying network conditions. Specifically, the research addresses the following question: which features of the transmission channel mostly impact on the QoE? Results highlight the significant impact of latency on mutual engagement, whereas packet loss has a more limited effect. However, packet loss does produce noticeable effects on sound quality, which are not observed in the case of latency. The outcomes will contribute to defining optimal strategies for immersive spatial audio transmission in distributed musical performance scenarios.