After my last post something tells me I won't get anywhere, but here go.
"if test are not done scientifically and are not based on "opinions" they really aren't real to me. How does one measure whether the equipment accurately demonstrated the sound stage depth? dimensionality? etc. I hear many opinions of the reviewers, but based on what? What criteria? are you going by memory in your opinions and comparisons? or did you listen intently and then switch out that amp with another (without changing anything else) and listen again?
I have read of some reviews that do exactly that. And the equipment they are reviewing is compared to similar equipment within the price point. That is alright for me. But, I still prefer an A/B comparison test that is blind to really identify the sonic differences in an unbiased way.
In the first paragraph, you're talking about subjective qualities that the reviewers are discussing. We all know that those qualities mentioned can't be measured, so what would you have the reviewer do? We're supposed to be adults here. When I read a review its not too difficult to pick out the things that are purely subjective in nature. Yes, they are listening to the component and writing their subjective opinion as to what they heard. Here's the 1 detail that many people miss. Most of the people that read the reviews, the magazines customers, know this is how they do it, and its not a perfect process, but they still want the review anyway. Any why not? Why do you think they bought the magazine to begin with?
This caught my eye in particular.
"But, I still prefer an A/B comparison test that is blind to really identify the sonic differences in an unbiased way.
"
You say that you prefer this type of blind testing like there are some reviewers that are doing it. I've never seen any reviewers do this. Where are you finding them? I'm more than willing to give them a chance. If they can show me some testing that helps make a better decision, I'm all for it.
"if test are not done scientifically and are not based on "opinions" they really aren't real to me. How does one measure whether the equipment accurately demonstrated the sound stage depth? dimensionality? etc. I hear many opinions of the reviewers, but based on what? What criteria? are you going by memory in your opinions and comparisons? or did you listen intently and then switch out that amp with another (without changing anything else) and listen again?
I have read of some reviews that do exactly that. And the equipment they are reviewing is compared to similar equipment within the price point. That is alright for me. But, I still prefer an A/B comparison test that is blind to really identify the sonic differences in an unbiased way.
In the first paragraph, you're talking about subjective qualities that the reviewers are discussing. We all know that those qualities mentioned can't be measured, so what would you have the reviewer do? We're supposed to be adults here. When I read a review its not too difficult to pick out the things that are purely subjective in nature. Yes, they are listening to the component and writing their subjective opinion as to what they heard. Here's the 1 detail that many people miss. Most of the people that read the reviews, the magazines customers, know this is how they do it, and its not a perfect process, but they still want the review anyway. Any why not? Why do you think they bought the magazine to begin with?
This caught my eye in particular.
"But, I still prefer an A/B comparison test that is blind to really identify the sonic differences in an unbiased way.
"
You say that you prefer this type of blind testing like there are some reviewers that are doing it. I've never seen any reviewers do this. Where are you finding them? I'm more than willing to give them a chance. If they can show me some testing that helps make a better decision, I'm all for it.