Choose one benchmark track

AJM1981

Well-known member
If you would have time for just one track to test some speakers somewhere, what track would you play?

For this moment I'd probably choose Eve of War by Jeff Wayne. It is kind of packed with instruments and only the best speakers are able to seperate them really well.
 

Friesiansam

Well-known member
I'd probably choose Eve of War by Jeff Wayne. It is kind of packed with instruments and only the best speakers are able to seperate them really well.
At the end of the first track on Mike Oldfield's Crises album the electronic percussion, among the other sounds, is fast and very busy. My Focal Elegias are the first headphones I have owned that can really make sense of it and, stop it being muddled and muddy. Other than that, if I have something new to try out, I just listen to whatever takes my fancy at the time.
 
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I don't think one track could test everything. Need at least three or four to cover all bases (or should that be basses?)
I was about to say the same thing. Couldn't think of one track that would do it all.
I need something with piano in it as, being very familiar with that instrument, you'd be surprised to find how many speakers cannot replicate it to my liking. Then I would need both male and female vocal and something to really test the bass.
 
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jamesrfisher

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Aug 17, 2007
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This one, took the album when auditioning first proper TT, salesman noted it down to buy and add to shop collection for demoing

Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra - Somehting's Jumpin' In Your Shirt

View: https://open.spotify.com/track/4mbnrFl4l0bbHuvRedRsl0?si=8LvUPV1lQOC0Xh72mC6Ldg


Also these as I love her voice, salesman above happened to play this for me even though i knew it

Cowboy Junkies - Mining For Gold

View: https://open.spotify.com/track/52wJxmylAs50mIrmzANewR?si=8frR7B6FTLSqkQ9K3dAipw


- Blue Moon Revisited

View: https://open.spotify.com/track/1RszdaPPEyHMoTyy0pRBrv?si=EN33QvHPSd6e6_qtnnWzdQ
 
which ones would it be?

Nice excuse for trying some new music here.

If I were trying to demonstrate why a good hifi should be on any music-lover's essentials list, I'd go for:

Ray Charles - Cry. For vocals, soundstage, piano, strings.

The Jam - Funeral Pyre - not an especially well-recorded track, but if the drums and bass don't make you smile the system's dull - particularly the end of the song.

St. Vincent - Happy Birthday Johnny - female vocal.

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Exodus - a stern all-round test, and possibly the best non-classical example of being able to close your eyes and be placed in a huge space. Rhythmically demanding, too.
 

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