Re: setting up ABX tests at home

"Sonnova" <sonnova@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:fotpkn02hkg@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> Well, ABX/Blind testing can really only tell two things:
> Is there a difference in the sound between two components
> (or interconnects or speaker cables)? And if there are
> differences, what are they?  It cannot tell which is
> better (assuming that there are differences) as that is a
> totally subjective call.

Agreed.

However, if someone can't reliably detect a difference, how can there 
reasonably be a preference based on sound quality?  Having a preference 
presumes the existence of a difference.

> Where this type of testing REALLY falls down is where the
> differences are subtle (which they often are) and the
> listener doesn't have the trained listening acumen to
> pick-up on those differences.

This problem exists for any listening test. The only reason why it is more

apparent in DBTs is that DBTs clearly detect listeners who can't reliably 
detect differences for whatever reason.

>  Since there is no way to
> eliminate or even pre-screen for this particular
> variable,

Actually, there are many means for screening out listeners who aren't 
adequately trained. Describing them all goes beyond the scope of a RAHE 
post.