pippin wrote:
> The way most of these tests are being done is that you write a set of
> rules ("we can compress in this way"), use them to do the compression
> and then you let people listen to the result (blind ABX test). You then
> test for two things: whether people can discriminate between the
> compressed/uncompressed tracks (codec with less discrimination is
> better) and you test which ones are perceived to sound "better" (better
> is better).
>
> As a result, you get a codec that is as hard to discriminate as possible
> but also you get a codec that amplifies characteristics people regard as
> sounding "good".
> One thing you can find with a lot of mp3 tracks is an actual perception
> of "increased transparency" which in turn is NOT a surprise since some
> frequencies simply get cut out. This is usually perceived as "sounding
> better", actually especially by people who are trained listeners (they
> are used to try to identify different characteristics in the music and
> this becomes easier with the cut-out frequencies).
>
>
> Has been done at great length. Except for the identification of a few
> well-known artifacts there is generally no effect of better listening
> experience or personal preference in music, quality, etc. Audiophiles
> (if they ever agree to do ABX tests) don't test better or different than
> others. You have to be aware that a lot of these tests during codec
> development are actually being done with trained listeners.
> This is a bit different to tests for dynamics compression where having
> listening experience actually _does_ help.
>
> There is only one thing that strongly correlates with being able to
> identify mp3s and that's hearing defects. People who have strongly
> reduced hearing capabilities in higher frequency ranges can clearly
> identify mp3s because for them the frequency masking effect doesn't work
> anymore. I believe stuffing things into your ears also helps (no joke)
> so there are ways to cheat...
Interesting comments pippin! I remember a fellow mentioning once that as
he got older and suffered hearing problems, the difference became more
apparent.
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