Originally Posted by blades
OK, then let's look at it anecdotally. Let's assume someone did a test comparing audio cables at varying price points and nobody was able to tell one from another when they didn't know which cable was in use at a given time. How would you explain how people hear differences when they do know which of the same cables is in use? No need for a test or a proof. A logical explanation will suffice.
Psychology takes over. I would present the hypothesis that knowing the cable quality causes a change in how the listener perceives the cable. He/She might listen more intently, relax, or even get stressed--if the listener believes he/she should be hearing a difference and doesn't.
If you wanted to test the hypothesis, what you would do is repeat the test you described with two groups (make sure you get a large enough sample size). Group A would be the control, and no one would know whick cable was which. Groub B would be told and/or shown which cable was being used. If group B has a statistically significant variance from group A, you have confirmed that there is a psychological component.
I am sure that there have been studies looking for exactly why one might hear those differences, too. That would be interesting, but also useful if we could determine what factors put one in the best listening mood.
EDIT: to expand a little more...if the listener hears a difference between two cables, something changed. My assertion has always been that if both cables are electrically good--no design flaws or damage--then the electrical difference will be minimal. That is, the cable really didn't change. However, the listener's mind has. Tell anyone that something has been changed and they will expect to see a difference. This change in mindset could easily make someone notice something that was there prior to the change in order to make sense of what he/she has been told.
I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I just don't want someone to spend a fortune for the wrong reasons, and I don't want that person to experience buyer's regret if he/she discovers that those reasons didn't hold up to expectations.Edited by superjawes - 8/8/14 at 6:23am