2. misc-audio
  3. 1147409526

do blind tests have any practical significance

do the results of a blind or double tests have any usefulness ?

a blind ab test does not prove anything. it only states facts, namely that a certain percentage of listeners were able to distinguish the sound of one component from another.

there are many issues as to the validity of these tests.

the question, "can a listener detect the sonic difference(s) between components", is never answered definitely by one test.

suppose a blind test is administered 10 or more times to the same group of listeners. assuming the first test is replicated 9 more times, there is a chance that there may be an inconsistency between the outcomes of the test.

suppose a statistically significant percentage, say less than 60 percent, for a large sample of listeners, identifies differences between 2 components, what does that mean ?

what is the application of such a result for a prospective buyer of a component ?
mrtennis

Showing 1 response by sdatch

sdatch
204 posts
 
MrT, the reasons you cited are exactly why dbts are such a painful subject. Actually I should say DBTs with respect to human sensory perception, since taste tests are also notorious in many of the same ways that aurally oriented tests are. Nonetheless, I still think there is value in pursuing comparison criteria, since, in a perfect world, the DBT could be used an excellent determination of the value of a given component in the context of its peers.

Would they prove that the emporer in fact has no clothes? I don't know, but let's hope there's at least a loincloth...
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