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

Amir's approach still assumes that he is measuring everything that matters in terms of ultimate sound quality

I don't see that, he's measuring the DUT and seeing if it does what the manufacturers claim it does. 

Amir talks up the value of unbiased listening tests, but then admits that he is clearly biased and unwilling to go to the trouble of setting up any unbiased listening tests himself.

Why would he set up BDX testing of a component that doesn't do what's claimed? It isn't his place to conduct a DBX but those who claim the component does things the measurements clearly show isn't possible. 

People are missing the point of these reviews. Amir tests the Product, shows the measurements are the same or different from like products or engineering standards . Explains hearing thresholds and says in HIS OPINION there likely is no or little difference in music reproduction and places the product on a scale of similarly measured products. It's not his job to tell you what to buy or if you can hear a difference but if you claim to hear a difference in similarly measured products the only way YOU can rule out YOUR inherent biases is with a properly controlled test. 

A video telling people they are reviewing speakers incorrectly, suggesting the importance of DBT, by a fellow who does sighted listening evaluations against a single DUT while having already seen the data. 
 

Come on. Common sense is failing society. 

Here’s an actual smart person (who designed the powerplant) showing how to measure a power conditioner.

 

Speakers are measured on a Klippel and are usually listened to in mono.  Amir's listening part of the review is his opinion and in no way meant to influence your purchasing.  I don't own speakers recommended on ASR but I do appreciate the effort put forth by Amir in his speaker testing it gives one a good look as to if the speaker has been properly designed and how well it can be adjusted by DSP.  How you like speakers to sound is entirely your own preference.