Audio Science Review = Rebuttal and Further Thoughts

In reality I think it’s all misplaced nervosa.

Where we all want to talk about the war (even if we say we don’t!), in some fashion, but the forum won’t let us.

Even though this is probably the best place for us to talk about it all, as other places are just boiling slug fests where it’s all lowest common denominator, no decent quality of communication, and nothing changes.

Additionally, the societal/economic position/connections and intellect, etc, of the denizens of this forum, makes for a ripple effect in western society that is like 20-50-100:1 greater than any other given similar size or mass of people on a given forum.

And... if there was ever a time for a ripple effect of that nature, it would surely be now.

Come on children, all together now:’ We all live in a yellow submarine…’

Interesting thread. Many, including myself, believe that blind testing and A/B testing in general is flawed and not a reliable means to test for differences, identification or preferences between gear. The reasons are many and posted on many other forums including ASR.

I feel one must live with a “change” in gear for a period of days and over this time will come to better understand how the sound/music has changed. Yes, I trust we humans can decide this for ourselves with time.

Removing a sense, sight, does not necessarily make for a more accurate or statistically significant result. I think these short A/B comparisons place additional stress on the ear/brain processing and completely blocks the potential for a useful outcome. My system NEVER sounds very good when I am under stress or anxiety. Never. I have found changing a cable for evaluation during these times is not wise.  

I am confident many greatly over emphasize the role of expectation bias and have fallen for the perceived benefit of blind testing. Much better to listen over days in your home with your eyes open and shut.

So many variables with blind and sighted A/B testing. Many we certainly don’t even understand in 2022. Give yourself time with the change and you can trust your senses in the end. Give yourself time to know how you engage with the music. How are your reacting to the change mentally, emotionally and even physically? More enjoyable? Less enjoyable? Listening longer or shorter periods of time? More or less relaxed and “into” the music?

One more thought: keep measuring the wrong thing and the earth stays flat

Take a valium. Take hours, days, weeks, the requirement you have no idea what component was changed. Speakers wouldn't be practical but DACs or cables should be easy enough. I never passed a blind test on either of those.