To settle such disputes, we simply convert the same test you ran to arrive at the night and day conclusion, blind.
That one change will force you to only using your ears and brain and nothing else to judge. Should you fail miserably, mission is accomplished.
Mission accomplished to fail?..
This may be the culprit.
It is simply not "normal" to listen to anything blindfolded. This in itself may cause a distraction of awareness that will mask normal brain activity in listening.
This is flawed because it is simply not normal and not how any person listens.
Same goes with most tests as being unnatural or self aware.
This is my opinion.
I say, the emperor has no clothes...
You say, measure it or its not actually true but instead your perception.
I say, "ok how?"
"Do a blind test", you respond.
I say ok, and put on blindfold.
Then I say, "Yes, you must be right, as I do not see anything"..
The one thing most tests have in common is their resultant perception of no proof, when we all hear differences and go by our hearing to purchase products every day.
Then we supposed to come here and say that there is no difference.
I say it all has to do with the ability to have
confidence in what you hear.
A "piano tuner" gets paid to tune piano by ear.
NOT by measurements.
A recording engineer's success also has to do partially with his ear and his microphone placement technique.
To have "Doubt" in the mind, is the initial destruction of the brain's ability to percieve differences.
Also Straining to percieve a certain aspect makes a person blind to the whole picture...
What is the user observing?The frequency? The amplitude? The soundstage? Instrument separation? Clarity? Resolution? Realism? Spacial cues? Blackness of background? Height? Width? Size? Proximity? Distance?
Do current tests make allowance for such observations?
This is why most users have more solid preferences when they are at home relaxed with thier gear.
I am not debating the usefulness of scientific measurements and tests, but to point out how they most ALL FAILED at proving WHY we hear differences and make general consensus what is better gear from lesser gear.
You cannot pin everything on placibo.
To do that is to make excuses.