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

@tonywinga

 

Bud, you referenced a 35 year defunct organization and didn’t even know it ... 35 years. ANYONE with actual working experience dealing with anything related to calibration and standards would not have done that. Just who do you think you are fooling? Again you referenced an organization defunct for 35 years. Not one or 2 years, 35 years. You are not fooling anyone.

 

PS the important acronyms and items of interest are NIST/ NVLAP, A2LA, IAS who are members/adhere to ILAC/APLAC so their results are accepted anywhere, and ISO/IEC 17025 defining their operation. Most of our equipment can only be calibrated by the manufacturer most of which have been certified by one of those bodies listed above.

It would seem that robertdid, atdavid, audio2design, sugabooger, among many other user names, has reinvented himself once again. Same argumentative, condescending approach. It is just amazing that he is that compelled to come back here again and again.

@csmgolf :

It would seem that robertdid, atdavid, audio2design, sugabooger, among many other user names, has reinvented himself once again. Same argumentative, condescending approach.

Yup! No doubt. I figured this out from the first few posts. Easy.