Paired comparisons demand six times more trials than multiple comparisons for four loudspeakers.

Evidence

A disadvantage of the paired-comparison paradigm in the case of a 4 loudspeaker test, is that 6 times as many trials are needed to acquire the equivalent information that can be acquired in using a multiple-comparison paradigm; when the experiment requires the experimenter to move loudspeakers at the beginning of every trial, this becomes a major disadvantage. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 96

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to experimental-design tradeoffs in other sensory-evaluation fields (wine tasting, food A/B testing).