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Amir and Blind Testing

Let me start by saying I like watching Amir from ASR, so please let’s not get harsh or the thread will be deleted. Many times, Amir has noted that when we’re inserting a new component in our system, our brains go into (to paraphrase) “analytical mode” and we start hearing imaginary improvements. He has reiterated this many times, saying that when he switched to an expensive cable he heard improvements, but when he switched back to the cheap one, he also heard improvements because the brain switches from “music enjoyment mode” to “analytical mode.” Following this logic, which I agree with, wouldn’t blind testing, or any A/B testing be compromised because our brains are always in analytical mode and therefore feeding us inaccurate data? Seems to me you need to relax for a few hours at least and listen to a variety of music before your brain can accurately assess whether something is an actual improvement.  Perhaps A/B testing is a strawman argument, because the human brain is not a spectrum analyzer.  We are too affected by our biases to come up with any valid data.  Maybe. 

chayro
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,961 posts
 

Saying an half truth will not solve the problem...

The ear can deceive YES and the measuring tools can deceive us also when we focus on one aspect of sound only, or when we focus on the GEAR or the TOOL instead of the acoustic multidimensional aspect piloted by our hearing...

People throw their money in upgrading the GEAR because the measuring tool say so in the publicity...

Instead of upgrading toward costlier components, learning acoustic by ear will liberate them from the consumers market conditioning selling the GEAR because of some MEASURED specs say so , underestimating acoustic experience of our trainable ears is the sin of the measuring fads and the cardinal sin of the SELLERS.......

Acoustic is not only a set of equations it is also a brain/ears experience and the dynamic correlation between the two in real time in our room ...We must learn our room...

Saying that the ears are not trainable because it cannot be trusted is like painting yourtself in a corner....

Repeating that the ears are not to be trusted is an half truth worse than a lie....

 

The problem for many people is they trust their own perception. This just does not work well for hearing. The result of all this is an entire industry based on deception. As long as it is not my money why should I care?

 

invalid
1,106 posts
 

If you can't trust your own perception why listen at all, obviously you can't enjoy music unless there are graphs and measurements.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,722 posts
 
djones51
Everyone has their opinion and that's all it is including mine. The only way to get beyond opinions is with vigorous testing including our ears.

Yes, you've frequently issued these proclamations about your "One Way" of testing. But this is a hobbyist's group, not a scientific forum. No one here needs to satisfy your "rigorous testing" requirements.

... personal preferences tells us nothing about the component only about 1 persons preferences.

It's probably best that you speak just for yourself, rather than pretending to speak on behalf of some unnamed "us."

 

redlenses03
90 posts
 

Why should the legitimacy of methods used for the purpose that they are intended depend on where you sit?

Fixed. "depending on where you sit in obj vs sub viewpoint, some interesting reads for another viewpoint", another Link

Actually, it was a mistake to even respond to this topic, as it just gives more publicity to that site and its unremitting undertone

noske
783 posts
 

@mijostyn The result of all this is an entire industry based on deception. As long as it is not my money why should I care? 

Two ideas there - of course it is none of anyone's business about the spending proclivities of people outside of your personal circle.

However, due to the absence of prudent market regulation, an industry built on deception is far from optimal.  Due reward and incentives are not forthcoming to those with novel and robust products and who by definition do not partake of the deception cup.  Innovation in these pursuits is relatively stifled.

That's why I care.

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