Well, I presume no decent scientist would tell me to eat my own turds. Though, if they did, they would hopefully have a very good reason why I should. But I wouldn't put it past some hi-fi folks to claim smearing turd on your speaker drive units improves bass. Actually, on second thoughts, I would put it past them...let's drop the turd issue...

"Its irrelevent whether the effects are imagined or 'real' is it not?" Good point. But in order for this to be true it infers that there is some way to find out if the effects are real or imaginary. If so, what is this method?

As we don't listen to hi-fi in blind test conditions, it is perfectly reasonable and understandable for people to choose to buy something that may make an imaginary difference. And to them the effect will be as real as, er, a 'real' effect. But I think it's perfectly reasonable to point out the effect may be imagined. So long as it's not done in a nasty way.