I noticed one of the flute net folks had a flute blog and shared an interesting bit on Yamaha`s research and development method for its top of the line flute headjoints.

...when Yamaha was doing their R&D, they actually had sixteen headjoint designs in a box. This box had been flown all over the world to professional flutists in major symphonies. The flutists were asked to vote for the cut they liked the best and the overwhelming favorite was...

Bob Afifi`s Blog:
http://www.fluteplayer.net/