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Why is Double Blind Testing Controversial?

I noticed that the concept of "double blind testing" of cables is a controversial topic. Why? A/B switching seems like the only definitive way of determining how one cable compares to another, or any other component such as speakers, for example. While A/B testing (and particularly double blind testing, where you don't know which cable is A or B) does not show the long term listenability of a cable or other component, it does show the specific and immediate differences between the two. It shows the differences, if at all, how slight they are, how important, etc. It seems obvious that without knowing which cable you are listening to, you eliminate bias and preconceived notions as well. So, why is this a controversial notion?
moto_man
paulwp
585 posts
 
Huh? Redkiwi and Seandt were obviously joking. None of the recent posters seem upset. And, this topic is only off limits in the cable asylum. No rule against mentioning or discussing DBT's in the general or other specialized asylums.

Simple courtesy should be sufficient here. If someone asks, as in the initiation of this thread, "what's so bad about DBT's?," it should be obvious that he doesnt think anything is wrong with the subject, and if someone does, he might either ignore the thread or give his point of view without picking a fight.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,150 posts
 
Banning topics such as this is a very bad idea. Despite limited regressions into philosophy and politics Audiogon has consistently shown that intelligent and polite dialog regarding audio is possible.
hearhere
55 posts
 
To answer the original question, DBT is controversial because there are widely divergent views of its accuracy and applicability. One group of people feels that DBTs as a test methodology are inherently incapable of demonstrating audible differences. Another group feels the opposite. A fertile topic for discussion, in my opinion.

The rancor comes, unfortunately, when fringes on one side or the other feel the need to characterize those with whom they disagree as either "meter readers with no hearing/bad systems/no experience/etc." or as "delusional and indulging in wastful fantasy". Neither is correct (well, not in most cases), nor productive to meaningful discussion of the subject at hand.

Why some feel that this particular topic - why the controversy over DBTs - is unsuitable for discussion mystifies me. Well, not really . . .
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
Very well stated Hearhere.
socrates
247 posts
 
All this talk of DBT, could anyone provide a link to any such reputable, controlled testing done in audio, including the statistical manipulations used to obtain the conclusions, so we at least know what we are arguing here? Anyone care to philosophize on the great fallibility of science in general, or even specifically on the science and statistics involved in any such testing? Alan Chalmers, anyone?
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