Amir and Blind Testing


Let me start by saying I like watching Amir from ASR, so please let’s not get harsh or the thread will be deleted. Many times, Amir has noted that when we’re inserting a new component in our system, our brains go into (to paraphrase) “analytical mode” and we start hearing imaginary improvements. He has reiterated this many times, saying that when he switched to an expensive cable he heard improvements, but when he switched back to the cheap one, he also heard improvements because the brain switches from “music enjoyment mode” to “analytical mode.” Following this logic, which I agree with, wouldn’t blind testing, or any A/B testing be compromised because our brains are always in analytical mode and therefore feeding us inaccurate data? Seems to me you need to relax for a few hours at least and listen to a variety of music before your brain can accurately assess whether something is an actual improvement.  Perhaps A/B testing is a strawman argument, because the human brain is not a spectrum analyzer.  We are too affected by our biases to come up with any valid data.  Maybe. 

chayro

Showing 2 responses by redlenses03

That site is more a marketing place for topping and others and not much to do with audio. As with any forum there are some good, intelligent, level headed individuals, but ultimately its all about the extreme side of the measurement police and his ego IMHO.

His methods have been debunked numerous times, depending on where you sit in obj vs sub viewpoint.

Some interesting reads for another viewpoint

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/audio-science-review-review.9827/

 

Why should the legitimacy of methods used for the purpose that they are intended depend on where you sit?

Fixed. "depending on where you sit in obj vs sub viewpoint, some interesting reads for another viewpoint", another Link

Actually, it was a mistake to even respond to this topic, as it just gives more publicity to that site and its unremitting undertone