What are you familiar with? That you have CDs of?

 

What are you familiar with

This. You'll get the most benefit comparing the systems before and after with music you're familiar with, and more importantly, enjoy listening to.

 

70's/80's rock is my main listening genre but I have alternate music from the 90's till today. If I don't have something I can get it. Just looking for a stress test type of song to check out my system.

 

The Eagles Hotel California from the Hell Freezes Over album is a spectacular recording. And try Halestorm - ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVeRs EP, you'll like it. Lita Ford - Close My Eyes Forever (with Ozzy), Ozzy's also got some really good recordings out there. Motley Crue, the self-titled album they did without Vince Neil. Rage Against The Machine, the self-titled album. Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl. Seether - Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces album. Oh, and the covers from Metallica's Garage album.
That should get you started.

 

Cosmic Conspiracy by Joey Boy Records.

 

How it sounds with Diana Krall is not relevant if one only listens to Rush (the band, or Limbaugh).
And how it sounds Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries", does not affect Imortal Techinique listeners generally.

Just grab what you know really well.

 

BBFOTO just made some test tracks out for the community. Search the thread. Good stuff on there. FLAC FILES TO BOOT! Thanks to the test tracks? I have to buy a new matched pair of tweeters. Its that good.

 

Thanks for all the replies. BBFOTO has a lot of downloads on his onedrive we can download. This is going to cost me some money

 

Getting familiar with how your tracks sound on some really good headphones will educate your ears to a reference to compare your system to.

 

Supertramp Crime of the Century especially School (imaging), Bloody Well Right (thundering full range), Asylum (howling vocals), Dreamer (chimes at the end stress any tweeter), Rudy and title track (bass and dynamic range).

Darkside of the Moon is another great choice. Nice subsonic base to start, chimes and bells in Time, vocals and sax in Brain Damage & Eclipse.

Money for Nothing and Abacab are great for testing total output.

Rock on.

 

As mentioned above; Money For Nothing is a good one.
Industrial Disease is another. Super crisp at the start, and then it'll put your midbass and sub to the test.
I was never a huge Dire Straits fan... but I can't deny that their albums were recorded exceptionally well.

 

Sultans of Swing also.?

 

If you have AC/DC's Powerage on CD, crank that up. It will definitely let ya know if everything is tweeting, honking, and woofing correctly ?

 

There are plenty of good tracks out there, but I do agree that it’s important to use something that you are familiar with, preferably music you know well from a good playback system like decent headphones, or a good pair of stereo speakers.

When I evaluate, there are a few things I go for. Center image is important, and since we localize sound differently depending on frequency it’s important that both the lows and highs center at the same place. I check for convincing vocals, both male and female. I check for accurate instrument reproduction (if pianos sound correct, you’re doing well). I evaluate bass and midbass together since they are so dependent upon each other. I listen to plenty of dynamic stuff, ambient stuff, and "intimate" stuff

I use a few female vocal tracks to make sure the highs are centered
Regina Spektor- Fidelity
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Heads Will Roll
LSD (Sia)- Thunderclouds
MO- Blur


I use a few male vocal tracks to make sure the lows are centered
Chris Isaak- Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing
Paul Simon- Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes


A few tracks that take advantage of stereo imaging illusions
The Cars- Moving in Stereo
Radiohead- Jigsaw Falling into Place, 15 Step (really pick just about anything off of In Rainbows, Kid-A, or OK Computer)
Michael Jackson- Thriller (the intro footsteps)


Dynamic music to test balance and overall tone
Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight
Dire Straits- Money for Nothing
Dire Straits- Telegraph Road (a slow building and long song, listen while parked)

“Acoustic” or “Audiophile” music to test clarity, and accuracy
Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah (one of my absolute favorite recordings, and the very best version of this Leonard Cohen song).
Tracy Chapman- Fast Car
Paul Simon- the Graceland album ( You Can Call me Al)
Ben Howard- Old Pine
Nirvana- MTV Unplugged


Bass and midbass
Dr. Dre- Murder Ink (all of Chronic 2001)
Michael Jackson- Billy Jean
Rage Against the Machine- Killing in the Name (the entire self-titled album)
The Cars- Double Life
Damian Marley- Welcome to Jamrock
Bad Guy- William Eyelash
Paul Revere- Beastie Boys
Alt-J- Fitzpleasure
Tones and I- Dance Monkey
The Cure- Lovecats (good standup bass)


I use plenty of known high quality albums
Fleetwood Mac- Rumors
Paul Simon- Graceland
Rage Against the Machine- Rage Against the Machine
Dr. Dre- Chronic 2001
Radiohead- OK Computer


The list can go on and on, a lot of this stuff is used to evaluate several aspects of the system, but it’s important that you know the song, and it sure helps to like the song. Those audiophile demo discs are full of a bunch of beautifully performed, beautifully recorded, and terribly boring music.

 

There are plenty of good tracks out there, but I do agree that it’s important to use something that you are familiar with, preferably music you know well from a good playback system like decent headphones, or a good pair of stereo speakers.

When I evaluate, there are a few things I go for. Center image is important, and since we localize sound differently depending on frequency it’s important that both the lows and highs center at the same place. I check for convincing vocals, both male and female. I check for accurate instrument reproduction (if pianos sound correct, you’re doing well). I evaluate bass and midbass together since they are so dependent upon each other. I listen to plenty of dynamic stuff, ambient stuff, and "intimate" stuff

I use a few female vocal tracks to make sure the highs are centered
Regina Spektor- Fidelity
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Heads Will Roll
LSD (Sia)- Thunderclouds
MO- Blur


I use a few male vocal tracks to make sure the lows are centered
Chris Isaak- Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing
Paul Simon- Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes


A few tracks that take advantage of stereo imaging illusions
The Cars- Moving in Stereo
Radiohead- Jigsaw Falling into Place, 15 Step (really pick just about anything off of In Rainbows, Kid-A, or OK Computer)
Michael Jackson- Thriller (the intro footsteps)


Dynamic music to test balance and overall tone
Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight
Dire Straits- Money for Nothing
Dire Straits- Telegraph Road (a slow building and long song, listen while parked)

“Acoustic” or “Audiophile” music to test clarity, and accuracy
Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah (one of my absolute favorite recordings, and the very best version of this Leonard Cohen song).
Tracy Chapman- Fast Car
Paul Simon- the Graceland album ( You Can Call me Al)
Ben Howard- Old Pine
Nirvana- MTV Unplugged


Bass and midbass
Dr. Dre- Murder Ink (all of Chronic 2001)
Michael Jackson- Billy Jean
Rage Against the Machine- Killing in the Name (the entire self-titled album)
The Cars- Double Life
Damian Marley- Welcome to Jamrock
Bad Guy- William Eyelash
Paul Revere- Beastie Boys
Alt-J- Fitzpleasure
Tones and I- Dance Monkey
The Cure- Lovecats (good standup bass)


I use plenty of known high quality albums
Fleetwood Mac- Rumors
Paul Simon- Graceland
Rage Against the Machine- Rage Against the Machine
Dr. Dre- Chronic 2001
Radiohead- OK Computer


The list can go on and on, a lot of this stuff is used to evaluate several aspects of the system, but it’s important that you know the song, and it sure helps to like the song. Those audiophile demo discs are full of a bunch of beautifully performed, beautifully recorded, and terribly boring music.

MTV Nirvana Unplugged?
Great record. Probably his last great performance. RIP

 

Great advice gijoe, and good explanations for what songs for the different aspects to review. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

That list was by no means a complete, just an example of how many different types of music you should use. I understand that my tastes may be a bit more diverse than some people's, so I'm at an advantage with regard to what I have in my collection to use, but try to use an many different types of songs as you can, while sticking with songs you know and like.

 

I had searched for lists while evaluating my systems recently and there are a few. I settled on this one since I owned most of the songs already.

I added Power by Marcus Miller and So What by Miles Davis, and will add Money for Nothing and Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits.

Edit: I should have noted credit for my source but didn't remember where I found the list. The Photojournalist in me.

A Playlist to Test Speakers In a New Car
25 popular songs that will measure all aspects of an automobile sound system
by James R. Healey, AARP, July 5, 2018

The Perfect Song Playlist to Test Your Car Speaker System

Sound engineer Mark Ziemba crafts a 25-song playlist for testing a new car's stereo system , before you make a purchase.

www.aarp.org

Alternative Rock

• Green Day – “Know Your Enemy” (I don't own)

Classic Rock

• Eagles – “Take It Easy”
• Steppenwolf – “Born to Be Wild”
• Supertramp – “School”
• Pink Floyd – “Us and Them”
• The Who – “Bargain” and “Young Man Blues”
• The Beatles – “Come Together” and “Norwegian Wood”
• Bachman-Turner Overdrive – “Blue Collar”
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Riviera Paradise”

Country, Folk

• Joan Baez – “Diamonds & Rust” (“Huge vocal image with natural instruments.”) (Don't own)
• Grateful Dead – “Friend of the Devil”
• Garth Brooks – “The Thunder Rolls” (“Real thunder, great vocal emotion.”)
• Faith Hill – “Breathe” (“Natural detailed vocal, a good test for harshness.”) (Don't own)
• Van Morrison – “Crazy Love” from Moondance album

Rhythm and Blues

• Marvin Gaye – “Mercy, Mercy Me” (“Fabulous track with the famous cowbell with reverb.”)
• Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” and “Bad”

Pop

• Adele — "Skyfall"
• Christina Aguilera – “Come On Over” (“Listen for midrange glare and harshness.”) (Don't own)
• Kesha – “Praying” (Don't own)
• Hall & Oates – “Sara Smile”
• Steely Dan – “Black Cow” and “Peg” from Aja album

 

I had searched for lists while evaluating my systems recently and there are a few. I settled on this one since I owned most of the songs already.

I added Power by Marcus Miller and So What by Miles Davis, and will add Money for Nothing and Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits.

Alternative Rock

• Green Day – “Know Your Enemy” (I don't own)

Classic Rock

• Eagles – “Take It Easy”
• Steppenwolf – “Born to Be Wild”
• Supertramp – “School”
• Pink Floyd – “Us and Them”
• The Who – “Bargain” and “Young Man Blues”
• The Beatles – “Come Together” and “Norwegian Wood”
• Bachman-Turner Overdrive – “Blue Collar”
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Riviera Paradise”

Country, Folk

• Joan Baez – “Diamonds & Rust” (“Huge vocal image with natural instruments.”) (Don't own)
• Grateful Dead – “Friend of the Devil”
• Garth Brooks – “The Thunder Rolls” (“Real thunder, great vocal emotion.”)
• Faith Hill – “Breathe” (“Natural detailed vocal, a good test for harshness.”) (Don't own)
• Van Morrison – “Crazy Love” from Moondance album

Rhythm and Blues

• Marvin Gaye – “Mercy, Mercy Me” (“Fabulous track with the famous cowbell with reverb.”)
• Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” and “Bad”

Pop

• Adele — "Skyfall"
• Christina Aguilera – “Come On Over” (“Listen for midrange glare and harshness.”) (Don't own)
• Kesha – “Praying” (Don't own)
• Hall & Oates – “Sara Smile”
• Steely Dan – “Black Cow” and “Peg” from Aja album

Steely Dan is in the wrong category.

 

Kurt Cobain made good music and wrote good songs but was mostly just a pathetic dope fiend who cared about noone except himself, hence the selfish act in the end.

 

Thanks for your unnecessary, and unhelpful contribution, haha. If we were talking **** about the artists mentioned in this thread we'd have 100 pages in no time.

 

Ummmmmmmm...... lets talk music please. Lots of people have flaws. includig me

 

Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer

 

Turn up "The Last Rainforest" by Smilk. Play it loud and you'll really hear what your stereo can do.

 

Wow, just listened to this with some cheap ear buds at work, can't wait to hear it properly.

 

"Balance" by Smilk is another really good one for staging/imaging/3D sound. Electronic music sounds really good on my system. The challenge for me is male and female vocals, piano, electric guitar, getting bass to play upfront. Those are the things that keep me awake at night. Haha

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

How's about Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

I play that loud at home on my Rowlands/Utopia set up and people's jaws drop. The surround Utopias that are up high on the back side second story walls adds to the effect.

 

The test cd that comes with the Audio Frog test mic and the IASCA cd both have great tracks on them. Other tracks are:
Hey nineteen- steely dan
Amused to death- Rodger waters
In your eyes- Peter Gabriel
Invincible- Tool
Keith don’t go - Niels Lofgren
I will rise up- Lyle Lovett

I find most of my 80’s stuff just doesn’t sound all that great. Dire Straits is another go to as well.

 

I made a list after seeing this thread.
Heart- Straight on for you, Dog and Butterfly
Led Zeppelin- The beginning intro music to the Song Remains the Same movie when they are driving to the airport
Dire Straits- Down to the Waterline
Tom Petty- You don't know how it feels
BTO- Blue Collar
Beatles- Dear Prudence, Glass Onion, Taxman, Paperback Writer
Chris Issak- Wicked Game
CSN- Any Harmony
Buffalo Springfield- Bluebird (Still's guitar. He is so good)

 

Another vote for Black Cow.
Or Pretzel Logic.

 

I find that the band Tool is great for testing and tuning my system. Their music is very complex, complicated, and very well produced. There is music thoroughly covering the entire audible range, so it gives you all the data points you need to adjust your equipment. If most music is a painting, Tool is an entire landscape of different musical tones. It's like a musical version of pink noise.

Oh yeah, Tool is metal, but after tuning with it, all my music sounds right. I listen to metal, rap, a little pop, little r and b, and instrumental music like from an orchestra.

Worst music to tune with? Rap.

 

I use the classic Seven Snare Drum beats and tracks on the Audiofrog CD to check imaging and staging before I listen to any music at all...
Then I use a variety of music to evaluate my tune, but they are all songs I know well and have heard on a high end home system...

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Tin pan alley (for dynamic range and detail)
Dire Straits - Money for nothing (for everything really)
Sade - No ordinary love (boominess in the bass/midbass as well as female vocals)
The Handsome Family - Far from any road (male and female vocals staging. His voice if very low and hers very high)
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner from the Solitude Standing album - (Female vocal accuracy and center focus)

many others...

 

More votes for:
Steely Dan - anything from Aja album
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing & Telegraph Road (gawd I love that song!)
Pink Floyd - DSotM, particularly Time

Also:
Spies - Music of Espionage album
James Newton Howard and Friends album