Blind Listening Tests

Definition

A "blind test" is a method of testing in which the people being experimented on have no idea about what they're getting. This test method prevents results from being influenced by any a priori information. In the field of Audio, blind tests truly highlight what a listener is able to hear.

In the so-called ABX blind listening test, the listener has access to three sources: A and B are the references, X is the mystery source. X can be A or B. When the listener says that X is A, and that X is actually A, it doesn't prove anything yet: flipping a coin achieves the same result half of the time anyway. This is why we provide the listener with many trials to determine if the number of correct answers is statistically significant.

Take up the challenge

• Find the smallest difference in sound levels you can detect. 
   The Level Series:  6dB  3dB  1dB  0.5dB  0.2dB  0.1dB 

• Find the highest frequency you can reliably hear.   NEW 
   The Frequency Series:  10kHz 11k 12k 13k 14k 15k 16k 17k 18k 19k 20kHz

• Find the smallest difference in pitch (frequency) you can hear. 
   The Pitch Series:  50c  20c  10c  5c  2c  1c 

• Find the highest dynamic range offered by your listening environment. 
   The Dynamic Range Series:  36dB  42dB  48dB  54dB  60dB  66dB  72dB  78dB 

• Do you have the absolute hearing ability? 
   The Perfect Pitch Blind Test:  C Scale  Chromatic 

• Are your ears sensitive to Absolute Phase? 
   The Absolute Polarity Blind Test:  Here 

For sound and studio engineers

• Learn to discriminate frequencies by ear.
   The Peak Series: 10 bands  14 bands
   The Notch Series: 10 bands  14 bands
   The Music Series:  Peaks  Notches

Interesting links

• Blind testing audiophile claims, by Prog Rock Man (Head-Fi Forums)
• Understanding listening tests, by Monty