Also, results will be skewed because the people on this board do not represent the average population. We are musicians, and thus have better trained ears than the average person (at least I hope!).
I agree about the statistics but in this case, I do want the "better" ears to vote. I think having a wider "statistical" view is good for perspective but helps little when only a fraction of people can tell the difference... it's kind of like asking people if they can tell the difference between a 308GTB and 308GTS. There's a difference but only few would know and the difference. If you went by the general public, you'd probably get similar results to this poll and end up with a bummer of a car in the long term (this is an analogy used to relay an idea, not a literal comparison).
No? Well, time to look for another option.
This I don't agree with.... or rather I do... but the "other" option for me is going to be AxeFXII FW14 !!!
This argument has been going on since the introduction of the AxeFX all while the models and FW keep getting better and better. If this particular difference can only be heard by 0.1% of the population, I don't really care. It's a difference nonetheless and something that I'd want improved whether or not I can hear it. This is a modeling product and the more accurate it is, the better it fits the product goals (ok, maybe Fractal's goals aren't 100% accuracy and I accept that) and for me, the better it works for me in the studio.
PS I triggered this thread so everyone can thank me for it. The bizarre thing is that I was using the clip as an example of what I was hearing in other amps in terms of the dynamics of the attack. I don't even care about the Triaxis! This example happened to be extremely close and obviously very hard for people to tell the difference. Using this as a testament of how close the AxeFX is to the "real" thing still has merit and I think more of it would be great for marketing... but with a few caveats:
1. This type of poll wasn't the discussion I intended when I posted a response to Cliff in another thread.
2a. This is an A/B test of the amp going through the AxeFX with mostly AxeFX components in the mix. In other words, I'm more concerned with end to end comparisons meaning guitar > amp > cab > mic > interface > computer vs. guitar > AxeFX (with amp and cab blocks) > interface > computer.
2b. Most of the time matching exercises are very limited. For example, if you have a reverb on while doing the testing and you think you've nailed it, try changing the reverb type and checking again... you may find that the match no longer works under those circumstances. All sorts of psychoacoustics come in to play. I'm not just saying this either... I've done a lot of matching exercises with reason (to replicate recordings that need to be replicated for further recording or for live use) and have found that the context in which you hear the sound makes a huge difference. Of course, this can all be meaningless to audience members and certainly to those who do not hear the difference, but when I or a client can hear a difference, it's still important.
2c. As mentioned before, context matters. Many are saying that the differences, if any, will be buried in a mix. The way I mix, this is not true. Subtle differences are actually magnified in a mix. I often find that what I thought was a good match, falls apart in a particular frequency range within a mix. Aside from this, I also mix dynamically so there are many parts in a song that have an instrument completely exposed or barely mixed with any other instrument that may mask the subtleties.
In closing, not everyone is the same in terms of perception, recording styles, etc. My mountain may be your mole hill. Keep in mind that discussions like these have repeatedly resulted in "better" sound either by learning how to make better use of the product as is or via improved modeling. In no way is this meant to denigrate Fractal, Cliff, or any forum member but rather to discuss, inform, and affect the future of music products. That's the spirit I try to stay within and hope that this is a forum where it's acceptable.