I can't call myself a really experienced tester but I have discovered that short-term listening is often not a reliable way to evaluate. I do not do A-B tests if I can possibly avoid it, and I try not to compare more than a couple of components in a single day. Instead, I like to listen to a unit over a longer period of time.
I try to avoid mental analyzing--after all, that's not the part of the brain that responds to music. Instead, I'll ask myself which of two configurations I would rather go on listening to for pleasure. I try to avoid feeling I must come up with a description of what I hear. If I do, fine.
Another thing that affects perceived test results is ear fatigue. After weeks in the city I even begin to take my multi megabuck system for granted. What a shame ! A few days in the woods and I can hear how wonderful my music sounds again.
I try to avoid mental analyzing--after all, that's not the part of the brain that responds to music. Instead, I'll ask myself which of two configurations I would rather go on listening to for pleasure. I try to avoid feeling I must come up with a description of what I hear. If I do, fine.
Another thing that affects perceived test results is ear fatigue. After weeks in the city I even begin to take my multi megabuck system for granted. What a shame ! A few days in the woods and I can hear how wonderful my music sounds again.