Which phenomenon is characterized by a slight delay in sound that helps maintain audience focus on actors?

The Haas Effect, also known as the precedence effect, is the phenomenon that explains how a slight delay in sound can help maintain audience focus on actors in a theatrical context. This effect occurs when a listener perceives sound coming from the direction of the first arriving sound source, while sounds that arrive slightly later from other directions are perceived as being part of the first sound. In theatre, this principle is utilized to enhance clarity and directionality of the audio, making the performance more engaging for the audience. By slightly delaying the sound from speakers that are positioned in a specific way, the audience is better able to localize the actors on stage, which helps to immerse them in the performance.

Other concepts such as echo delay, sound anchor, and acoustic delay may refer to different aspects of sound perception or processing, but they do not specifically pertain to the audience's focused engagement with live performance in the same manner as the Haas Effect. Understanding the Haas Effect is essential for theatre practitioners to ensure that sound design effectively supports the storytelling and keeps the audience connected with the performers.