Is musical "taste" really a matter of opinion?

Well, no matter what I think it is "subjective". Could you be suggesting that it is not a conscious choice and therefore not an "opinion"? That is interesting, but I think no matter how they came to like whatever music they like... it is "their opinion" that it is good (or I guess you could say it's "objectively good", for them... but now I might be confusing myself.)

Or actually... are you saying that there is some objective criteria for determining what is "good taste"? Well in this case, I would say... no, there isn't, but there is certainly a correlation between intelligence and certain types of music, and the commonly used criteria for determining if they are good.

Generally.

Well may people try to say that size does not matter but people in america are so judgemental theese days so everything matters. Sadly.... But to some people its ok and those are the people you should hang around or date. It takes a strong person to look past an image and like someone for them. Hope i helped BYE!

Yes

Yes and no.

I think that a lot of people's taste comes from social stigmas they'll have placed on them if they like something that isn't the norm for their group of friends.

Like, how many death metal fans you know will say they like Savage Garden or Avril Lavigne, or even Lady Gaga?

And vice versa, how many pop fans do you know that say they like Death, Morbid Angel, The Red Chord, and The Black Dahlia Murder.

Not that that can't happen, I mean, I love all the bands I mentioned, but will anyone in a "clique" admit that whilst around their little group?

Yes.

People tend to stick to the same genres, for example, people who like folk, blues and old rock (1950-1970) won't tend to like like electronic dance music and rap from around 2000-2010.

I don't think it is. In my opinion, Taylor Swift has a pretty voice and some well written songs, but she is nowhere near my taste in music.

I'd be more content to classify it as a Matter of Personal Preference

yes

Taste = opinion.

They're basically synonyms.