I don't want to beat a dead horse but I'm bugged.

So as far as the designer is concerned, the listening part is almost academic nowadays.

I think that is the way mass market audio is designed. It is designed to a cost bracket and a specification requirement. But I understand for quality audio gear that is only the starting point and extensive listening tests are conducted and the component values are changed not to perfect the specifications but to make the product sound right. And that is where the two camps diverge. One camp thinks they are finished after the measurements take place and the other camp starts going to work after that point. 

Measurements are certainly important, but I don't think they tell the entire story.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

But if you're looking for accuracy in terms of audio fidelity, I think measurements are very important.

Electrical measurements are important for the DESIGNER of the product...Less so for the listener who cannot interpret anyway most electrical measures...

Acoustical measurement are way more important for the LISTENER in his room...Alas! way less important sometimes for many designers...But some designer know acoustic for sure, the best one...

Confusing the two  situations with the same word: " measurement" then means nothing...

One man’s treasure is sometimes trash for everyone else ...

Measurements are certainly important, but I don’t think they tell the entire story.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

But if you’re looking for accuracy in terms of audio fidelity, I think measurements are very important.

@russ69 ..."One camp thinks they are finished after the measurements take place and the other camp starts going to work after that point."

Exactly. I too see it as a starting point for the designers with a different passion. Those who design, refine, and iterate until they truly reach engaging sound. Once they get there, it can actually measure a little worse and sound better, or only to those with open minds and ears, setting the graphs aside for a moment to listen more.

Making decisions solely on measurements is akin to judging meals only on salt content. If they have to the same salt content they must taste the same right?

My favorites are the anti tube guys saying they don’t want distortion in their system. Unless you are listening to a tone generator the distortions are what allow you to determine if the same note is coming from a trumpet or clarinet. Distortions are what cause the tonal differences between the same instruments.

Measurements are guidelines not rules of superiority. Steve Deckert at Decware is designing a new 300b amp. (I guess a two year wait just isn’t enough) He talks about his design process and while a specified circuit provides the proper current and voltage it doesn’t necessarily sound good, There is an art to this that measurements can’t provide.

In conclusion, how can what we hear be measured?  In medieval times the minor chords were knows as the Devils Chord because of the feeling it evoked. How can the feelings of emotion that music brings that be measured?

https://aleteia.org/2018/10/25/a-medieval-forbidden-musical-sequence-the-devil-in-music-or-the-devils-chord/