How can a system be judged with highly processed, non acoustic music?

timbre is altered with the very first microphone choice…

For sure, it is a common place in acoustic that the choice of microphones type, their numbers and their location CHANGE the PERSPECTIVAL perception of timbre...

It is the reason why if you read attentively my post i spoke of RECREATION of the timbre experience not of his alleged perfect REPRODUCTION...

A natural event is not a recorded event and a recorded event cannot be a natural event....It is always a "translation" with something lost in the process...

Our own listener history in life is the sum of all the perspectival aspects of the human voice perceived  in different natural settings... Our body/memory treat the new timbre perceptive event, from a recording or from a natural voice, with this background of past perceptive events in different natural settings...This past experience made our brain more apt to RECREATE the timbre experience meaning and aspects...

One of my go-to tests for fidelity is whether I can discern the brand of acoustic guitar(s) being played. Gibsons and Martins sound very different in real life. Other quality brands occupy the middle ground between them. 

One of my go-to tests for fidelity is whether I can discern the brand of acoustic guitar(s) being played. Gibsons and Martins sound very different in real life. Other quality brands occupy the middle ground between them.

Thanks for your very good suggested  examples...

Just a note...Nobody can tell the difference as Gibsons and Martins can sound very similar or dissimilar depending on the tone woods, age, model, manufacturing techniques, etc. I've owned and played both brands extensively for decades so I know what I'm talking about. In real life. What does an Olsen sound like? A Bourgeois? Froggy Bottom? Santa Cruz? Also, if you're a huge hippity hop or EDM fan you might have discerning tastes regarding the sound of that even though it's not "acoustic." So what? Mic cables, mixing boards, ear wax, microphones (first Stereophile test CD had a great thing where somebody read into a bunch of different microphones...check THAT out), engineers, the acoustics of a live venue, the engineer's ear wax, on and on all have a big influence on recordings. If it sounds right to you, whatever you're into, it's right.

Depends. If you listen only to non-acoustical music then yes, but one should test the system with music they prefer and maybe a good idea to test highs, mid, bass.

If you listen to acoustic music then it’s probably foolish to not test with such music especially at the usual lofty prices we pay for our hobby. Then it’s hit or miss whether the system will be to your liking or not when you play acoustical music.