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analyzing sound

Some recordings may demonstrate better audiophile-related variables (e.g., soundstage, imaging, blackness, quickness, microdynamics, dynamic range, low/mid/high frequencies, sibilance, etc.) than others.  Playlists are therefore offered as examples of music to use when evaluating hifi components or systems.  I assume, for example, that it is necessary to have a recording that is able to demonstrate a wide soundstage in order to evaluate whether a system/component produces a wide soundstage.  However, I have not found a playlist that also identifies which specific recordings are good for evaluating which specific variable that an audiophile may be interested in.

 

For example, is there an annotated playlist that provides something like the following entirely fabricated example:  Bill Frisell's recording of Baba Drame on The Intercontinentals is a good track for evaluating imaging (but not microdynamics), whereas John Eliot Gardiner's Volume 3 recording of Bach Contatas is excellent for evaluating microdynamics (but not imagining), or Imogen Heap's recording of First Train Home on her Ellipse album is good to use for determining the degree of sibilance (but not low frequency definition) of your system. 

 

Or is any good recording capable of demonstrating all qualities of interest?

jrdavisphd
toddalin's avatar
toddalin
247 posts
 

Are you not able to just determine for yourself the quality of recordings, which recordings do the audiophile ’parameters’ well, etc? You need some other guy to make a playlist for you with artists and tracks you may not like?

What is even the point of looking for such ’audiophile parameters" in artists/tracks/genres that don’t fit your tastes in music?

 

Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone had already sorted out those frogs for you so that you could select the prince of your choosing and leave the other frogs alone?

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,030 posts
 

I use this. Import into qobuz and stream.

g2the2nd
75 posts
 

These are some tracks I use to test out components, speaker positioning and sub integration. You may or may not like all the music, but that is not the point.

 

Like Someone in Love, Diana Krall  - bass balance for sub integration. I know how the bass should sound relative to the mix.

Girl in the Red Dress, Greg Karukas - The keyboard should be ridiculously big. A good indicator that the system can soundstage and cast a image beyond the speakers.

Lineage (Lenny's Solo), Return to Forever, Returns Live - A great track to see how "tunefull"your system's bass is.

Papa was a Rolling Stone, Superbass 2 - If this track doesn't make you smile something is wrong.

The Boy is Mine, A-capella Remix, Ariana Grande, Brandy and Monica - you should be able to differentiate the vocals - Besides it proves that some pop singers have talent if you strip away the "pop machine."

Basic Drummer Free Improvisation, Jim Keltner, Shefield Drum and Track Record - Just an awesome test of you systems capabilities, keep one hand on the volume control the first time you play this one.

 

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,876 posts
 

I still stand by the old saw, "You'll know it when you hear it." 

You see, I'm one of those that still stands by the quaint belief that my ears can do the hearing part for me. Must be a generational thing.

All the best,
Nonoise

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