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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
pedroeb
493 posts
 

I do find his test results interesting from a technical point of view but totally irrelevant for assessing audio reproduction His choice of avatar irritates me no end as it suggests an unjustified superiority or arrogance. 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,356 posts
 

@bruce19,

Not at all. I asked a simple question. Why did you think that was pejorative? What religious reference are you talking about? I have absolutely no idea how you came to this conclusion! Please explain, if possible, since this one really puzzled me.

he is just a guy testing audio equipment and sharing info and asking others to do the same

You see, 99% of the folks buy audio equipment to get the joy of listening to music. I have been to many a audio shops, multiple shows, etc. All of them demoed me how music sounded on their equipment. and I loved some, and some I did not care. Of course, I used my ears and that is how I chose my system that you currently see in my profile. Not one demo consisted of measuring anything and then making a decision to buy that equipment. Don't you think it is a bit strange that someone would buy a equipment just to "test" it and not listen to it?

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,961 posts
 

It is the reason why i called them : measuring tools fetichist...

There is also the brand name tasting fetichist group...

The two groups underestimate and dont give a damn about acoustic...the most powerful known upgrade is acoustic and psycho-acoustic devices...

Don’t you think it is a bit strange that someone would buy a equipment just to "test" it and not listen to it?

 

laoman's avatar
laoman
434 posts
 

" the manufacturer is not willing to foot the expense of well conducted, objectively fair listening tests to support their claim "

What is measured? Sinad? Look up how useful sinad is and you will see that it is not that useful.

chayro OP
2,974 posts
 

Actually- this thread was not about electronic measurements.  It was about Amir’s observation about the human brain and its ability to hear non-existent improvements when switching components because we start listening in an “analytical mode” when we are testing hifi equipment. Of course, Amir is not an expert in psycho acoustics, but I thought it was an interesting concept and many members related to it to some degree. The human sensory system is so easily fooled. Ever take one of those flight simulator rides at Disney?  Vibrate the seat, tilt it back and show us a video of flying and we swear we are traveling through space. A little scary how easily our senses can be deceived. What do we do with this knowledge?  Whatever you want, that’s what.

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