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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!rgg
From: rgg@aplvax.UUCP (Richard G. Greenberg)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: A-B tests and output levels
Message-ID: <146@aplvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 09:34:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: aplvax.146
Posted: Thu Aug 15 09:34:34 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 08:08:17 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: JHU/Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD
Lines: 22


	Many netters have stated that if the sonic output level of two
systems is not very closely matched (to 0.1dB, according to one person),
then either system can be made to sound "better" than the other.

	Doesn't this mean that both systems are nearly identical in sound
quality?

	Using either system at home, where most of us :-) don't use 
oscilloscopes, voltmeters, or sound pressure meters, can't either system 
be made to sound as good as the other would have sounded, by simply 
listening at a fraction of a db or so louder?  Who would even notice?

	A good speaker and a poor one can be distinguished readily even
if the poor one is set a little louder than the good one.  Speakers have
REAL differences in sound, based largely on smooth frequency response
(in my opinion).

	If two good CD players, or preamps, or other components that some 
people say exhibit sonic differences, are so close that 0.1 db matters, 
then they are BOTH good enough for me.