DBT: Audio Industry's "Mortal Enemy?"

Bulldogger; interesting, well written, and well reasoned post. I have nothing against blind testing as long as it is designed to be statistically meaningful-- can you imagine trying to come up with a control group?. But it seems to me it's especially tough to implement in audio because of the "time" and "relaxation" elements. Cheers. Craig.

This type of testing is valid.The audio press will not ever be caught dead in this type of test.It would expose them.

I think Eldragon is correct. The double blind methodology is the scientific way to test for differences. However, listening to music is not scientifically testable. If you want to test for differences in sound, then the double blind can be most appropriate and useful. It's been my experience that expectations strongly influence my initial reaction to a product. A double blind test can eliminate this phonomena. Yet at the same time, I strongly doubt that a product designed purely via double blind methods would really capture the magic of music. Science can take us only so far. The essence of music requires a suspension of disbelief.

Good points all. And I'll add the most obvious one to it: One man's trash is another man's treasure. Last night, I was at a friend's house listening to his system. He has taken the route of a more neutral sounding system (ala Sonic Frontiers and PSP. I, on the other hand, have become accustomed to a more euphonic sound (ala CJ and Vandersteen). I thought that his system was harsh. He would probably think that mine was like listening to music with cotton in the ears. It's a difference of taste and we are both correct and will continue to enjoy our respective systems.