Why Do So Many Audiophiles Reject Blind Testing Of Audio Components?

However, it has been consistently shown that trained listeners - those who were instructed in advance what to listen for - were more likely to be able to detect differences.

See, to me, audiophiles are people who have already trained themselves on how to listen to equipment and observe differences. 

That said, if you have studies out there where audiophiles were no more effective at detecting differences in audio equipment in blind listening tests than the average Joe on the street, I'd love to take a look at them.  Always game to be enlightened. 

Blind testing has it’s place. Just not in a "Personal Stereo System".
We as individuals are NOT trying to prove to others what we hear is good to them only US. Why try to please the masses because a VERY few want to prove a point.

The issues is not the fact that the testing is good or bad, it just doesn’t have the final say or in my case ANY say in my system building.. No reason for me to use the method.. I like what I like, no need to prove it to anybody. Recommend maybe, BUT I don’t have to prove something is better to anyone.

If I was trying to prove something WAS actually different, trickery by setting terms for testing really isn’t accurate. We are humans and we can be TRICKED. Our hearing is as much a part of seeing when in concert together. NOW add feeling and smell along with a little taste of popcorn, holy moly you got a full blown skewed test because someone POPED popcorn and YOU smelled it..

That same analogy is why a trained ear for some things is ABSOLUTE. There is no other way to gather data into YOUR brain.. You have to listen with your ears, and feel through your bottom, chest, face and hands. ALL are different collection points.. ALL adding to your hearing, perception.

You really can’t measure it, but you can REMEMBER it.. Remember the phone call from a 50 year old friend, you haven’t heard from in 45 years.

You know exactly who it is as soon as they speak.. We have the ability to hear the difference, the question is does every one have that ability?

7 billion people on the planet, one person calls you from 45 years ago. You know exactly who it is...there’s a blind test for ya. That actually has a purpose.. Go figure.. Hello good buddy long time no hear, BUT I can SEE you in my minds eye.. plane as day... Memory is memory.

Have you ever remembered the tune but forgot the words, so you add your own.. Thirty years later your still mumblin’ the wrong lyrics to the same TUNE.. Wrong memory works too, you have to be able to DISCERN the difference.. Tough for some.. Actually a lot.. You have to be able to remember when your WRONG.. Some it is just impossible.. No names ay!!!

Regards

@hilde45

I'm naive about this debate, but if someone is willing to help me, IF ABX testing is useful at all, in what circumstances is ABX most useful and when is it least useful?

Blind audio testing – PS Audio