"Did you hear that?": Investigating localized spatial audio effects on enhancing immersive and affective user experiences in virtual reality

This study examines the effects of software-based localised audio enhancement in VR on spatial audio, immersion, and affective responses. Sixty-eight participants took part in a VR game (Job Simulator) and reported improved sound quality, immersion, and localization under enhanced audio conditions. Physiological measures revealed significant effects on emotional valence, highlighting enhanced audio as a cost-effective way to improve auditory involvement and emotional engagement in VR without additional hardware.