@roadcykler "...Seems rather like a religion..."
Not at all. The issue is that characterizing reproduced sound is so incredibly complex with so many variables, that folks in this pursuit that think they are being science based by measuring a few variables are grossly oversimplifying the problem then drawing conclusions. In very complex environments, observation (as in listening and hearing) is the correct scientific mode until all the variables are understood and a complete and verified model is created (there is not, and this is super computer terrain. Not identifying a few variables and using them to explain or predict the entire system. Musical reproduction and sonic characterization is just way too complex with too many variables for that to be a pragmatic value. Listening and training your ears, calibrating your ears to natural sound and using those as your instruments is what is useful and appropriate.
Just a note, this is not creating a simple tone at a certain frequency. It is nearly infinite variation in tones and beats where different frequencies interact through harmonics. It is very nearly infinitely complex.