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

I dont reject blindtest either...

I reject the claim that it is ALWAYS a good thing to eliminate biases, i reject the claim that  all biases must be eliminated in audio experience for the sake of measuring numbers specs instead...

It is the correlation PROCESS between subjective and objective, the backbone of acoustic/ psycho-acoustic  science...

I accept blind test to be a necessity in the industry and sometimes a self inflicted tool and discipline...Thats all... Never a universal remedy replacing listenings experiments...

In learning listening acoustic/psycho-acoustic experiments, the biases accumulation and orientation is the WAY, blindtest is only used sparsely here as a tool....

As for the simple question why those who refuse to do a blind test/audition to me there could be a few reasons, and 2 come to mind, being afraid to chose the component that "is best", or being afraid to realize that your position on a subject, for example like you say you can(n’t) distinguish the difference in AC or Ethernet cables is wrong.

I have never bought a component without a blind test, my audio dealer facilitates that. All of his 6 audition rooms are set up for blind testing, all you need to say is I want to audition x,y,z he will also include one or 2 of his choice and then call you so you can audition until you have an ordered/ranking of the components you like best. If you tell him what components you have will will do his best to reproduce them so at the very least you have the reference.

I have walked out many time spending a lot less, and many others spending a lot more :)

The process is as long or short as you want, this is why to me blind auditioning is the best way to let my ears do the choice, and I have yet to walk away with a component that does measure great. As always, there are exceptions, like a PS audio powerplants, I know very well that will not do anything to my components' sound side because they are on the DC domain, but they are a nice looking power strip.

How do you tune a room with blindtest? 😁😊

This tuning process is an addition of many hundred alternative changes, if not thousands on a period of many years for me...

Then saying that i can be afraid of blindtest is bordering on ridiculous...

I passed many "acidental" "haphazard " blind test by unforeseen circonstances sometimes with surprizing results in this journey, confirming the value of my tuning process...

Saying that we are afraid of blindtest is borderline ridiculous argument...

A singular change borderline audible can be doubted for sure and must be, like in a delicate buying option, but a streak of continuous change in one acoustic direction : for example a better timbre perception is always, in spite of errors in this direction which will be rectified, ineluctably programmed by listening non blind numerous experiments...

But i understand it can be useful if someone is in a showroom and must choose between 2 components....It occur with success many decades ago when i was in the same buying circonstance....

But anyway there is no comparison between the same piece of gear BEFORE acoustic treatment and control and AFTER...

Give me any relatively good piece of gear and i will use it with success if i can tune the room for it...The gear choice is LESS important than the rightful acoustic tuning process...Most people for sure think the exact opposite...It is like saying that sound come from the electronic design by itself alone not from his coupling with a room for the most part...

No speakers can beat the room where they are located...

Acoustic/psycho-acoustic method are the key, not blind test.... Which is a secondary tool at most ....

...As for the simple question why those who refuse to do a blind test/audition to me there could be a few reasons, and 2 come to mind, being afraid to chose the component that "is best", or being afraid to realize that your position on a subject, for example like you say you can(n’t) distinguish the difference in AC or Ethernet cables is wrong.

@mahgister Speakers with blind masks like the ones some people use to sleep. :) components are behind curtains(?)/drapes.  I love the masks,  my brain and ears focus a lot more. Yes, I can cheat by looking but then no need to cheat myself 🤣 

The rooms setup are very smart, you can audition 3 different speakers on the same room, they are in a carousel that they can rotate quickly and adjust angles. 

Some have the ability to test 2 different set of components some 3, all can fit 2 turntables..

At the end if you are not sure on the components, you can get them installed in your listening place, there is a charge for the setup, that gets waived if you buy or are a repeating customer. The family is in the business since the late 30s one of the older audio stores in Barcelona and Spain.

Every other month or 2 there is a full day on listening on the store, you can sign up in advance, he also has launching products and clothing and lingerie parties for our wives or partners. 

I do not mind paying a little more not just for the addons but because their customer service is incredible too.

I wish there was something like this in the Seattle area.

Interesting indeed...

But my point was about the tuning of OUR  room/speakers relation by our specific ears for a specfic speakers/system.. I dont need blind test for that...

To choose a piece of gear i dont contest that this blind testing store is a good idea... Viva Barcelona!

Thanks for this interesting story...

astolfor

288 posts

04-05-2022 at 07:00pm 

@mahgister Speakers with blind masks like the ones some people use to sleep. :) components are behind curtains(?)/drapes.  I love the masks,  my brain and ears focus a lot more. Yes, I can cheat by looking but then no need to cheat myself 🤣 

The rooms setup are very smart, you can audition 3 different speakers on the same room, they are in a carousel that they can rotate quickly and adjust angles. 

Some have the ability to test 2 different set of components some 3, all can fit 2 turntables..

At the end if you are not sure on the components, you can get them installed in your listening place, there is a charge for the setup, that gets waived if you buy or are a repeating customer. The family is in the business since the late 30s one of the older audio stores in Barcelona and Spain.

Every other month or 2 there is a full day on listening on the store, you can sign up in advance, he also has launching products and clothing and lingerie parties for our wives or partners. 

I do not mind paying a little more not just for the addons but because their customer service is incredible too.

I wish there was something like this in the Seattle area.