millercarbon actually totally gets it, albeit although he/she comes off a bit self-righteous. In thirty years of ‘demos’ I’ve found it best to ease your guest(s) into the music by slowly engaging them with something simple... and not try to impress with SPL or intensity. As the listening session progresses I’ve found it best to slowly increase the complexity and intensity with each selection. Works every time— and yes, this is where women become completely engaged. The ‘dudes’ that are expecting to get their faces melted from Money For Nothing are a little surprised at first, but I end up treating them with a cut like that at the end of the session— and by then, everyone is into it and completely drawn in... this, by slowly taking in the process of active LISTENING, yet allowing themselves to relax and settle in at first. millercarbon’s comment about why there are hardly any women audiophiles is SO true, I just had to laugh. Been sharing my system and doing listening sessions for 30 years... and my friends have come to expect something like like sailing on an alpine lake or a day at the spa. Music on a great system can be a magical experience— especially for first timers. If we’re good (audiophile) stewards, they’ll beg you to invite them over again. Note: For maximum effect I have extremely comfortable seating choices and I turn off all the lights. I mean— I create a TOTAL blackout (panel lights, any and all light is removed). I also make sure the noise floor is as low as possible. (HVAC and cell phones are silenced, etc). This creates a kind of sensory deprivation, and can make ALL the difference in enhancing the overall experience.
Ok... now back to the initial question: My ALL TIME starter is the first track, ‘Wenyukela’ from Ladysmith Black Mambzo’s Grammy-winning Raise Your Spirit Higher Telarc surround SACD. It has ZERO instruments! Vocal only. S African voices in choir form that are so beautifully sung and arranged that, from the first note the experience becomes transcendent. I’ve noticed that if we give listeners the least amount of reference possible, they will immediately turn off their analytical mind and instead fall into a state where they’re more likely to be drawn in emotionally. The fact that they’re hearing voices in a foreign language and arangement style that’s totally unfamiliar means listeners will focus only on the beauty of the breathtaking SOUND instead of the message, clever poetry, the punch of the bass drum or even make a chronological reference due to the era in which it was recorded. I’m a hi res digi guy. My rig is a correctly set up full blown pro mastering level surround system (Emm Labs 6-ch head end). This recording is absolutely THE BEST way to start it off. What blows guests away is the sheer simplicity. Telarc really nailed it with this one and I can see why it won the Grammy in 2004. If you get the surrounds and subs balanced, it’s a complete 3D sound experience; it’s spellbinding— and especially in the dark. Musically it’s a warm blanket on a cold night.
Then, I’ll move onto other artists and genres more familiar, adding a few more simple instruments and complexity of production as I go. Over the decades I’ve found this kind of demo hands down works the best. I even start with only half my rig turned on (Genelec Active), then as the evening progresses I turn on the large format JBL studio monitors; six (4435s) with six Crown Ref 1 amps to melt their faces... lol... until they finally get Sting’s voice flying around their heads “I want my, ... my MTV”. :-)