So, 'stiffness' is objective, as is 'rebound,' as is 'degrees of lean/yaw per degree of turn radius,' and so forth. To summarize, 'stiffer' is quantitative - it can be measured - and therefore objective. See the difference? Both of these measurements can be captured in the same metric - the number of lbs/inch in the spring rate. On the other hand, if Joe Schmoe likes the ride of a Porsche 911, he would consider the same springs to be 'better,' as they would offer more control and less ambiguity in the ride. For example, if Joe Blow likes the ride of a 1973 Cadillac Eldorado, he would consider stiffer springs as being 'worse' rather than better, because the ride would no longer be the soft cushioning he had grown to love. 'Better' is qualitative by definition, as it has different criteria/meaning depending on who you ask. I can see you are confused between qualitative and quantitative data.