knaithrover
Well-known member
expat_mike
Well-known member
I am finding that some of the older jazz albums are good tests of both my speakers, and my dacs/headphone amps/headphones.
For instance https://www.amazon.fr/Private-Collection-Charlie-Haden/dp/B0039TD75Y contains plenty of bass and piano playing, to test the equipment. It is on the NAIM label, so the recording quality is good as well.
The track The Wolf That Lives in Lindsey, from this Joni Mitchell album, is regarded as very revealing for vocals and transient response.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mingus-Joni-Mitchell/dp/B000002GWV
Happy testing......................
For instance https://www.amazon.fr/Private-Collection-Charlie-Haden/dp/B0039TD75Y contains plenty of bass and piano playing, to test the equipment. It is on the NAIM label, so the recording quality is good as well.
The track The Wolf That Lives in Lindsey, from this Joni Mitchell album, is regarded as very revealing for vocals and transient response.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mingus-Joni-Mitchell/dp/B000002GWV
Happy testing......................
busb
Well-known member
Ok! So many/most want bass for testing! Bass comes in many flavours from going deep to going plenty. Some songs by artists not associated with bass but have satisfying amounts of it like "King of the Mountain" by Kate Bush. For the 'thinking' basshead, "Mixed by Fear" by Front 242 is very well recorded with plenty of top end as well that lesser speakers or systems will either smooth over or tear your ears off over. For shear doom-laden amounts, most stuff by 'Quantic Spectroscopy' will remind you of the end of civilisation. Liking any of it is another matter, of course. If you want your bass tight & low, try "Roast Fish and Cornbread" by Lee Perry may have yoy grinning. The other aspect regarding bass is how tolerent you are to hitting room resonanaces - I prefer my bass to sound realistic & not effect mid-range clarity so I have my speakers & seating away from walls.
If you care about the rest of the audio spectrum, vocals to test mid-range clarity is a good start & the humble triangle from orchestral works will test the upper treble for realism, otherwise, its still the music one is familiar with!
If you care about the rest of the audio spectrum, vocals to test mid-range clarity is a good start & the humble triangle from orchestral works will test the upper treble for realism, otherwise, its still the music one is familiar with!
BigH
Well-known member
expat_mike said:
I agree with much of that. Jazz trio is an excellent test, piano, double bass and drums it really can sort out some speakers. Jazz drum cymbals can be very irratating on some speakers, some speakers can't handle double bass. Female vocals also good test, especially in a acoustic setting. Male vocals also, some systems pronounce siblance more than others, I never noticed it on Paul Simon until I was comparing different cartridges. I would only take classical if thats what you listen to, but if you do then yes, piano, violin good test. I would also take a few tracks you are not so keen on, do they sound much better on the new system? I would not use just well recorded thats what dealers and hifi demos do to make their systems sound good, take your normal music.
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