Constant errors normalize away in comparative loudspeaker tests

Evidence

A literature search will reveal many more examples, because binaural techniques are now accepted in audio and acoustical research. A fact not recognized by many skeptics is that this requires a precise knowledge of the sounds that reach the listeners’ eardrums. A carefully calibrated system is required and headphones or, preferably, insert earphones are chosen for the ability to deliver predictable sounds to the eardrums. HRTF mismatches to individual listeners are inevitable, but it is important that to remember that these tests are comparative multiple-loudspeaker evaluations, not absolute evaluations of sound quality, which means that constant errors of any origin, including recordings, are significantly normalized. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1121

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies why HRTF mismatch need not invalidate relative binaural loudspeaker comparisons.