stereo system evaluation--objective or subjective

Kijanki, I think you just want to argue with me for the sake of arguing so this will be my last reply to this thread. The simple truth is that although many speakers are reported to have highs flat to 20kHz, in actual use in an actual listening room the sound will be decidedly rolled off at that frequency by the time it bounces off walls, carpet and furniture, and goes through door openings. This, not to mention that unless the tweeters are aimed directly at the listener you're not going to get anywhere near flat 20kHz response.

Plus I wouldn't call the Ratshack meter anywhere near precise.

But hey, it's your right to believe what you want to believe. I just don't happen to agree with you.

Plato,

Saying that I argue for sake of arguing is rude, therefore I don't care to discuss anything with you either.

i have a reason for asking this question.

it would be useful to have some set of measurements that could assist in discriminating potentially poor sounding, from potentially good sounding components, as it is impossible to audition many components.

there is always the possibility of missing out on a decent piece of equipment because it is inaccessible. as well, one may waste ones time auditioning a component that does not match well with the other components of a stereo system.

it would seem that there is no algorithm available to assist in the process of increasing the probability of eliminating "unwanted" components and ferreting out those which have promise.

evaluation is subjective
performance is objective

Measured performance if done correctly should be a factor in evaluation but that alone will not likely determine results of individual human evaluations which in the end is all that matters.

Taste? No, we all hear differently so in the end 'ears' rule. A while back someone did a study on identical twins and found even they had hearing differences which were more environmentally created. Add into the mix that different cultures and those speaking different native languages hear differently, e. g. 'the British sound'. Accent matter.