Most other studies by us (see AES convention Oct 2003) and Dr. Moore (see AES Nov. 2005) are pointing to the same thing.

Of course clipping is audible but thats just plan misuse and doesn't count. As long as loudspeakers are not misused nonlinear distortion appears to be irrelavent.

Now we do hear "stuff" at higher SPL's thats clear, but its not nonlinear distortion. Its a nonlinear perception in our hearing system that we interpret as nonlinear distortion.

I didn't mean to pressure you at all and didn't mean to indicate you should do that. I just think there is a need for that, and to the extent it can be filled, it would be a good thing.

I agree with you that the typical "audiophile" will not care or will not know enough to care. But it may be a good thing to expose everyone to sound information, and let whoever wants read it.
-akhilesh

That question is far too wide to get into in depth. But I have found that the drivers make a whole lot less difference than the system design. We tried several different manufacturers drivers in the Summa and in blind tests they were not found to be statistically different by 16 listeners. Although the price tags were an order of magnitude different and in unblind tests the results for the more expensive drivers were astounding. Kind of like "hearing" the color of the CD.

What do you think Wayne?
WE'll mathc the sound levels etc of course?
I'm game to help in this effort.
Let's answer this once and for all to our satisfaction.
-akhilesh

kidding, Earl.
-akhilesh

I agree with Earl for the most part. I think a lot of what people percieve is psychological, especially when they expect an improvement. Sometimes, gains are much to small to be percieved, and sometimes there are no gains at all. There are lots of "tweaks" that fit this description. A guy buys an upgrade part or "mod" and puts it in, thinks he hears an improvement but measurements don't show anything. That's a case of expectations influencing perception, something that a blind test would show for what it is. Earl is saying that some things just aren't perceptible, and I am sure he's right. No surprise really.

But loudspeaker components are where I hear the most difference. If I use a good woofer with a shorting ring and replace a cheap one with a plain asymmetrical-flux ferrite structure, I can hear it right off. I can hear it as soon as I hit the door, just enter the room and I'll know, completely blind. So I know for sure I'll identify the JBL 2226 from the Chinese copy. I'd know the difference with a blindfold on from the next room over, it's that apparent. I'm pretty sure that's the case for all but the most casual listeners. Maybe some people that listen only to getto blasters and cheap car stereos might not hear a difference, but I'm pretty sure that everyone attending GPAF would be able to tell.