AudioSmile simple ABX test

**Tenson** · 18th October 2009, 17:36

The test is simple, here are two samples of music. (The same two samples as the previous test, so no need to download again!)

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Sample-X
http://www.mediafire.com/?glzqyk5eifz

Sample-XX
http://www.mediafire.com/?jujgtzx4m20

One is a direct rip from the CD, the other has been passed through an AudioSmile DEQ as a DAC and then in to another unit as an ADC. Two layers of conversion which in theory should make the sound worse.

Here is another sample, and it is exactly the same as one of the above - please tell me which! Is this a copy of sample X or sample XX?

Sample-Question (is it X or XX?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?q0jjtz1ioj2

**InZain** · 18th October 2009, 18:35

Umm, I noticed the digital waveform of the new download is different to sample X & XX maybe that is why it took me longer to decide, nonetheless I made my decision based on as closely related to it as possible.

**Tenson** · 18th October 2009, 18:38

I made it just the tiniest bit different in length to stop someone trying to compare it on a computer by file size or something

I do hope people don't cheat by doing a computer comparison.

Thanks for taking part InZain!

**InZain** · 18th October 2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenson

I made it just the tiniest bit different in length to stop someone trying to compare it on a computer by file size or something

I do hope people don't cheat by doing a computer comparison.

Thanks for taking part InZain!

I didn't notice that, what I noticed is, how the digital peaks differed in certain parts of the track.

**darrylfunk** · 18th October 2009, 19:18

are we not supposed to be just using our ears for this test or is every body scared to for fear of the ridicule by the golden eared.

**robM** · 18th October 2009, 20:54

Quote:

I made it just the tiniest bit different in length to stop someone trying to compare it on a computer by file size or something

Having not listened to this new ABX comparison, is it worth it as it sounds like you've just tampered with the copies.

Can you fully explain what you have done?

***RobHolt*** · 18th October 2009, 21:36

I think you quoted the answer - length.

Two of the files are 2.00 minutes long and the other is one sec shorter according to my player.

**robM** · 18th October 2009, 22:09

well that is nothing to worry about.

**Tenson** · 18th October 2009, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by InZain

I didn't notice that, what I noticed is, how the digital peaks differed in certain parts of the track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robM

Having not listened to this new ABX comparison, is it worth it as it sounds like you've just tampered with the copies.

Can you fully explain what you have done?

All I did was chop off 500ms from the end of one track to make file size comparisons impossible. I'm sad to see it was wroth it!

You can still put it in an editor like Audacity and check, but please don't until the results are all in. Believe me when I say that two of those tracks are exactly the same apart from one missing 500ms at the end.

The question is, can you detect it by ear?

**InZain** · 18th October 2009, 23:26

Audacity is what I use now for comparing & looking at these internet downloadable files, this tells me quite a lot about volume level, digital distortion, compression etc & more importantly the playback quality is far superior than Windows media player.

**Tenson** · 18th October 2009, 23:48

Well I hope you didn't look at any of that before you cast your vote? Even looking at level meters as it plays might do something to bias!

**InZain** · 18th October 2009, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenson

Well I hope you didn't look at any of that before you cast your vote? Even looking at level meters as it plays might do something to bias!

They looked identical level wise so your safe there it's only the new sample that took my attention when I was selecting specific parts to listen to that's when I noticed it was not identical to the others.

I can assure you nothing other than the recording influenced my vote.... I was to busy trying to hear differences & being sure that what I heard was repeatable.

**kmac** · 20th October 2009, 13:51

Will have to wiat till I get home to try this - for some reason mediafire website is blocked at work.

Dissapointing that only 3 people have voted so far...

**scott_01** · 7th November 2009, 13:40

Tenson

Which one was it then?

This test does appear to indicate that we can't tell the differences between the straight CD and the one that has been subject to additional DAC and ADC.

***RobHolt*** · 7th November 2009, 14:49

Eight is a very small sample, but yes.
Disappointing that so many people aren't confident enough to rely solely on their ears.

View Poll Results: Is 'Sample-Question' the same as Sample-X or Sample-XX?
It is the same as sample X	5	55.56%
It is the same as sample XX	4	44.44%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll

18th October 2009, 17:36	#1
Tenson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 4,817	AudioSmile simple ABX test The test is simple, here are two samples of music. (The same two samples as the previous test, so no need to download again!) Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama Sample-X http://www.mediafire.com/?glzqyk5eifz Sample-XX http://www.mediafire.com/?jujgtzx4m20 One is a direct rip from the CD, the other has been passed through an AudioSmile DEQ as a DAC and then in to another unit as an ADC. Two layers of conversion which in theory should make the sound worse. Here is another sample, and it is exactly the same as one of the above - please tell me which! Is this a copy of sample X or sample XX? Sample-Question (is it X or XX?) http://www.mediafire.com/?q0jjtz1ioj2 __________________ www.audiosmile.co.uk Kensai - Our vision of the ultimate compact speaker Bespoke Supertweeters - Ribbon supertweeters designed for your speakers Modified DEQ / SRC - Affordable high performance DAC and room correction.

18th October 2009, 18:38	#3
Tenson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 4,817	I made it just the tiniest bit different in length to stop someone trying to compare it on a computer by file size or something I do hope people don't cheat by doing a computer comparison. Thanks for taking part InZain! __________________ www.audiosmile.co.uk Kensai - Our vision of the ultimate compact speaker Bespoke Supertweeters - Ribbon supertweeters designed for your speakers Modified DEQ / SRC - Affordable high performance DAC and room correction.

18th October 2009, 21:36	#7
*RobHolt* Moderator: Trade Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,150	I think you quoted the answer - length. Two of the files are 2.00 minutes long and the other is one sec shorter according to my player. __________________ Rob

18th October 2009, 23:48	#11
Tenson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 4,817	Well I hope you didn't look at any of that before you cast your vote? Even looking at level meters as it plays might do something to bias! __________________ www.audiosmile.co.uk Kensai - Our vision of the ultimate compact speaker Bespoke Supertweeters - Ribbon supertweeters designed for your speakers Modified DEQ / SRC - Affordable high performance DAC and room correction.

18th October 2009, 18:35	#2
InZain Me in another Jacket Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE Essex Posts: 16	Umm, I noticed the digital waveform of the new download is different to sample X & XX maybe that is why it took me longer to decide, nonetheless I made my decision based on as closely related to it as possible.

18th October 2009, 19:18	#5
darrylfunk Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 202	are we not supposed to be just using our ears for this test or is every body scared to for fear of the ridicule by the golden eared.

18th October 2009, 22:09	#8
robM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 344	well that is nothing to worry about.

18th October 2009, 23:26	#10
InZain Me in another Jacket Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE Essex Posts: 16	Audacity is what I use now for comparing & looking at these internet downloadable files, this tells me quite a lot about volume level, digital distortion, compression etc & more importantly the playback quality is far superior than Windows media player.

20th October 2009, 13:51	#13
kmac Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 560	Will have to wiat till I get home to try this - for some reason mediafire website is blocked at work. Dissapointing that only 3 people have voted so far...

7th November 2009, 13:40	#14
scott_01 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 433	Tenson Which one was it then? This test does appear to indicate that we can't tell the differences between the straight CD and the one that has been subject to additional DAC and ADC.

7th November 2009, 14:49	#15
*RobHolt* Moderator: Trade Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,150	Eight is a very small sample, but yes. Disappointing that so many people aren't confident enough to rely solely on their ears. __________________ Rob