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From: 5121cdd@houxm.UUCP (C.DORY)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: A/B CD, Bose, etc.
Message-ID: <1209@houxm.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 11:00:39 EST
Article-I.D.: houxm.1209
Posted: Tue Apr 23 11:00:39 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Apr-85 03:26:57 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 24

Andrew, what you were attempting to perform was a comparison of two
sources using your ears as a metric -- a noteworthy task.  As a scientist,
you must know the importance of a controlled experiment.  You demonstrated
this by matching levels, using the same recordings, and comparing via
the same system -- so far, well done.  The main problem lies, however, in the
playback system, especially the speakers.  Recording engineers and producers
perform critical listening tests as part of their jobs -- ABSOLUTELY NO
ONE (THAT I KNOW OF) IN THE INDUSTRY USES BOSE 901 SPEAKERS AS MONITORS.
The Bose 901 loudspeakers, simply, do not perform at the level required
for a monitor speaker.  (This is not to say that one has to spend a mint
for speakers that image well.)  In my judgement, to perform a meaningful
listening test comparing the D/A and filtering methodologies of two CD
players, speakers of known, justifyable integrity should be used, or
the appropriate disclaimers noted.  (The technical integrity of the Bose
was more than adequately challenged by Herb Chong in his recent posting.)

However, Andrew, if you feel that the Bose are adequate for you listening
tests the burden of proof is on you as the experimenter (you should know
this -- for shame).  Since I know of no such documentation, it looks as
though you're going to have a busy day in the lab.


Craig Dory
AT&T Bell Laboratories