You are partially accurate, but even an in store demonstration does not actually tell you the difference in loudspeaker performance. For a true comparison of just the accuracy of reproduction from loudspeakers, then double blind equal level comparisons are the only way to do it reliably. If the levels are not equal the loudest one wins most of the time. Further to this we have done comparisons both blind and not blind (with the same products and listeners) and have found the scores will change considerably. Some other interesting points that have come out of years of conducting double blind listening tests is that the personal preference of loudspeakers does not play a major role. People consistently like the good speaker over the bad one. The closer you get to a random result (what would happen if personal preference was the main issue) the more the two products approach an equal level of accuracy. From here we can reliably comment on the performance of various loudspeakers if double blind listening tests have been conducted on them. Another large factor that can be commented on is what you would like to achieve from your loudspeakers. Sometimes, hard as it is for us to believe, accuracy is not the main goal of the purchaser. Lots of loudspeakers are designed without accuracy as the main design criterion. Examples of this are efficiency, style, power handling, and the appearance of value. Taking efficiency as an example it may actually be reasonable to move accuracy down the list in the purchasing decision if you are trying to achieve a certain budget that limits the amount of power you can afford. If the more accurate speaker just does not play loud enough for your needs then a step down in accuracy to get output may make sense for obtaining the most pleasure from your system.
Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer
