I think it’s fair to say you can hear one is “different” than the other, but what does that really mean? Stating they sound different is fine, and maybe is to be expected. But, That’s not really getting to the point of the test. However, I am curious what made you guess the amp correctly, which is cool of course! I always like to hear what other people are hearing and what made them sure of their opinion on what they chose as the real and not real amp, If that makes sense.
This isn’t really aimed at your post but, I have yet to ever hear anyone clearly state what is an IR, and what is a real mic/cab setup…like, ever. Can they get lucky and guess? Sure, and if they are honest with themselves, they would probably say that is the case: a lucky guess. The “easiest” of these tests to guess which is which would be taking out all of the variables, and having the absolute only variable be one is a mic/cab setup, and the other clip being an IR of that exact setup with the same DI track, same amp etc. I say this would be the easiest because then the differences you hear could vary well be attributed to only the one variable ( IR vs mic/cab setup). But, 2 totally different clips, with totally different amps, volume levels, amps etc , no one is going to get it right outside of sheer luck in guessing. I’d bet my house on it. THATS the real test in my opinion. If people are sooooo sure they can tell what recording is a digital modeler and which one is an amp, or which one is a real cab/mic vs an IR, then they should be able to tell with polar oppposite sounds that have nothing to do with eachother….because apparently, the sonic footprint of digital and/or IR’s is so apparent to these folks…..until you tell them to put their money where their mouth is.