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.
