This is no different to what snake-oil merchants do.
First they implant the notion that there is an improvement, and then sit back and allow their mark's imagination do the rest.
These engineers, trusted their colleague that it was a genuine test.
a lot of presumptions went into that, to produce the desired false results....
The trust of the marks, was necessary for this test to produce its false results.
Indeed, that's why I think it was a worthy "experiment". It's a clear demonstration of how cognitive bias makes us think we heard things that we didn't hear. Snake oil salesmen are counting on two things:
1. This cognitive bias functions as expected, as it did in this "test"
2. The marks don't realize that cognitive bias - and nothing else - is at work.
A simple, clear demonstration of the snake oil process like this is a useful weapon in the war against snake oil. If nothing else, there's a clear cut example of experienced critical listeners hearing stuff that isn't there. We need a lot of these examples if we're going to convince the closed-minded out there.
The entire premise of the 'test' is just dumb, and in reality proves absolutely nothing
Disagree, there are plenty of people who resist/deny the entire notion of cognitive bias and false positives in listening tests. And then they turn around and spend $10K on a cable. Showing that even elite professionals are subject to these effects can't hurt. It might open some minds and save some wallets.
So I agree it's not an experiment so much as a public service. Naturally, this "experiment" (or demonstration, or prank, as you prefer) can't be done with the knowledge or consent of the subjects. Hopefully they had a sense of humor about it anyway.
There's a big elephant in the room when it comes to audiophile stuff, and if this "test" forces people to acknowledge it, I support it.
No matter how good a listener you are, you will most likely hear differences between two devices, even if there isn't one. Yes, you.
