When you are evaluating stereo components (both sound quality and SPL), what music or test media do you listen to?

 

I would have to say anything by Steve Winwood, very smooth and great response to every frequency across the band.

Jim

 

Well I don't have a specific test disc. What I do is listen to several discs that I know very well to get an overall perspective on the system. First I listen to my own disc "mr biggins - biggins begins" since I know that well! I also use discs like "Dave Matthews Band - Busted Stuff" and "Nelly Furtado - Whoa Nelly!" for overall mix balance. To evaluate bass I use "Grandaddy - the sophtware slump" which has some great bass sweeps. Anyway it's all a matter of perspective on this issue, everyone has their own tastes.
Earl!

 

Use " the Eagles" Hotel California album. All the songs there represents all type of music. The bass, the vocal should be clearly indicated within those songs.

 

For test music, the all arounder has got to be "Eagles...Hell Freezes Over". A very good recording. As for tuning material, anything by (don't cringe) Celine Dion. Very flexible voice and if you tune it out for her voice, you'll have 99% of the system tuned. But the absolute best recording that I've ever heard so far would have to go to Jewel's "This Way" album. Absolutely outstanding, even on an extreme resolving system. Whatever they're using in the studio it sounds absolutely incredible. Lots of depth and texture to the instruments and voice.

Percy

 

I'll usually tune to IASCA competition CD's. They include an insert that tells you where every instrument on soundstage is supposed to be. Otherwise I can use any descent-recorded CD to flatten all the peaks and improve the tonality.

 

I use the USACi disc (which is actually a terrible recording), the CMAA disc or the old IASCA disc to tune. But to just listen and evaluate... Dire Straits (Private Investigation is an awesome technical piece), Michael Jackson, Micheal Ruffe and Sting. All are well recorded and just pleasing to listen to.

 

Lol, you have just listed first page in my SQ part of CD case

 

ahhh you guys are too picky. i just use any old radio station or the local college radio station that produces alot of hissss and static. i turn my treble all the way up and love it. lol just kidding.

 

Hissing noise....

You now have a form of either white or pink noise...

Perfect for the initial RTA tune out. (grin!)

Percy

 

Man...I'd like to say I'm surprised. But knowing your taste, not at all! Whats that whole "great minds" saying?

 

Sheffield Lab CDs. Great recordings, with dynamics. Sheffield Drive CD has great dynamic drum tracks for SQ testing.

 

Apparently, according to some friends that went to the SQSummitt here in Dallas. USACi is switching to the old FOCAL disc to test. That is definately a step up.

I forgot about Sheffield "Drive." Its on the second page of Retro and my SQ Cd case.

 

On the bass side, for common music, I've recently found that Hella Good by No Doubt provides a pretty damn impressive demo - well recorded, great drum dynamics. My single IDMAX sounds, on this track in particular, like there's a drummer in my back seat - no exaggeration whatsoever.

 

Maybe bass and rap is not a big thing for all of you, but if you got a system and you wanna make the neiborhood shake and you got a good setup, you gotta play MY SYSTEM by DAZ DILLINGER.

Download this song and test it out, tell me what ya think,

Peace