The Absolute Sound vs Pleasing Sound

frogman

... What is even sadder, IMO, is to be locked in a mindset that says that reactions are the result of bias and to refuse to be open minded about the possibility that it is not bias at all that is at play. Seems to me, that the person who is enlightened enough to understand bias should also be the one most open to the possibility that it is NOT always bias that is at play...

That's one of the ironies about the measurementalists here. They'll even often refuse to listen to test whether their theories are valid - they have that much faith in their belief system.

The other irony: The measurementalists frequently apply ill logic to their claims, so it makes meaningful conversation with them virtually impossible. Many of these measurementalists are here solely to argue, so these apparent inconsistencies suit them just fine.

As I posted the violin link I ought to explain why I thought it was useful - I did only to contribute to the debate whether a concept of “absolute” was conceivable at all. Those newer and older violins sounded more or less pleasing to the listeners - and the age or presumed quality or “signature” sound of the violin seemed to have little influence over that pleasure. The comment I picked out - that knowing it is a Strad is part of the pleasure - was meant to reinforce that. 

I had the enormous pleasure of sitting a couple of metres from Nigel Kennedy in a small gathering where he played for 3 hours in support of our charity. He played his Guarneri “Lafont” and I know I will never hear anything more pleasing. I’m sure if he had played a £1000 violin it would have sounded magnificent. But knowing something of the history of the instrument actually in front of us undeniably added to the pleasure. What a night that was.

audio2design

Bias exists. Period.

No. Bias can exist. It doesn’t always exist. Not every opinion is the result of bias.

Only way to eliminate is to blind test ...

That is the logical fallacy of the excluded middle, aka tertium non datur. But I understand that your "one path to truth" approach suits your measurementalist’s belief system.

Here’s a simple truth about bias and placebo effect: Neither will cure cancer. No blind test is needed to prove that.