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Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics. |
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Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics. |
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In Reply to: "It still remains that sighted listening is less reliable than controlled DBTs." That's an assertion; or is there proof? posted by clarkjohnsen on December 21, 2005 at 09:10:14:
Separation of factors -- plus "half-blind" testing
------------------------------
clark,Judging audio gear is an extremely complex equation- the criteria include
the sound, but also the appearance, controls, association by brand, price,
and many others. I tend to be degrade my opinion of gear just that it is
light in weight, but I don't know anyone else that consciously adds that to
their list.The positive feature of DBT is that goes about as far as possible to narrow
all the diverse crieria to the sound. Since the sound is the primary
function, DBT does seem to be a way to concentrate on that and exclude
those other factors.I have actually never participated in DBT testing, only single blind where
the dealer of course knew what he was hooking up. This was in 1987 and
three of us in my office went to hear a variety of Audio Research
preamplifers. At the time, the SP-8/II, SP9/I, SP10/II, and SP11/I were
all for sale new. In this single blind test, we heard each preamp three
times. And the three of us, one of whom had not purchased audio stuff
since McIntosh in 1965, all identified every preamp accurately every time.
(We used A,B,C,D to designate.) As I had used an SP-8 for two years
previously, I had an little advantage. But it was striking how clearly
different each piece was when we concentrated only on the sound. By the
way, we all instantly and separately made notes on how much we hated the
SP-9/I in relation to the other three. All agreed the SP9 was the least
attractive, then the SP11, the SP8 and SP10 the best.I thought it was fascinating that the contemporay products from one company
should have such distinctive character, but we all said independently we'll
take whatever preamp was "C" and the dealer had a sale of about $12,000 of
SP-10's.We may well have all bought the SP-10 without the single blind testing, but
it actually made me more confident in the choice and as testament, I and
one other person there still have our SP-10s. The third person, the one
with the Mcintosh, eventually sold his SP-10 and bought an LS1 and PH1- a
mistake in my view.Still, I think the single or double testing does help separate the many and
distracting factors in judging audio by concentrating on the sound.I use "half-blind testing" often as I find listening without my glasses
also helps focus attention only on the sound. There may be ways in which
unobscured sound pressure to the eyes, sinus area and forehead helps sound
perception, but I think the subtraction of visual distractions helps also.
I take off my glasses often at live concerts also. General physical and
mental relaxation too.Good topic Clark!
Cheers,
Bambi B
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Follow Ups
- The original Bambi B post, now deleted: "Good topic, Clark!" - clarkjohnsen 08:55:08 12/22/05 (0)
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