do blind tests have any practical significance

i think the purpose of the thread is to suggest the advantage of evaluating the sound of a component in absence of any attitudes about the component before the audition.

one does not literally have to be in a dark room or wear a blindfold. i think it is sufficient to be sighted so long as the brand and model of the component is not known.

unbiased assessment reduces the likelihood of erroneus judgments.

Mrtennis; are you serious?

Because, I think a high quality blindfold (preferably cotton) be administered properly to ensure the integrity of the test.

What do you think?

a blindfold is irrelevant. the purpose of a blind test is to ensure that a listener is unaware of the component auditioned. if one sees the component and it has a generic look and does not exhibit any visual cues to identify the product, the listener will be totally ignorant of the manufacturer as well as any other information about the product. blind should be interpreted in the figurative sense, rather than literally.

Not having been to Sue Kraft's new house I can't state it with absolute certainty, but I'm pretty sure she does not live is a vacuum!

Sue has been an audiophile for longer than I have, and has owned and auditioned a lot more equipment than most people on AudiogoN. Should she not have an idea what to expect when she auditions a pair of amps from a company that has been around for a long time and has a well established reputation. I don't know if Susie liked the amps or not, I would guess she isn't selling her currrent system to buy them! BUT that's not the issue.

Who goes shopping, or auditioning without a good idea of what they are getting into? That person would be foolish! At that point in the process a person should have a good idea of what to expect.

The blindfold is not the issue, you are questioning the integrity of the reviewer! If you want to play that game, you are certainly welcome but don't cloak it under the mantle of objectivity. Either something sounds good, or it doesn't, it doesn't matter what headgear is involved...

:o

"Either something sounds good, or it doesn't..."

Correct, however, referring to my example, I will never know if these amps really sound good or not because SK is NOT giving an objective observation. Her predjudices and impartiality are clouding the review. Period. How can anyone dispute this????? She even comes right out and tells you.

I'm not questioning her integrity. She probably has lots. Or maybe none. I don't know and I don't purport to.

I'm commenting on the process which most reviewers are subject to.