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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
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
612 posts
 

I'm not much younger.  If you like electronic music, it is recorded at very high levels of dynamics, transients, accuracy, soundscape, 3D, swirling, 20 to 20000Hz Bear with me.

Tron Legacy Sound track.  Daft Punk.  This symphonic(classical)  checks all the boxes

Eric Hilton.  He is/was with Theivery Corporation.  He has been going through various styles of music.  Impossible Silience, infinite everywhere, lost dialect are superb. These are rhythmic, relaxed jazz with Samba influence.  Top recording and production.  He plays all the instruments. 

Soundtracks are a good bet.  Qobuz has a playlist of Soundtracks to test your system.  Some good stuff there.  Qobuz has several such playlists debut albums, Philadelphia sound.

There are lots of good sounding artists and recordings. So I will stop, enjoy

jrdavisphd OP
8 posts
 

Very, very  helpful.  Adrian Low at Audio Excellence near to Toronto has been enormously helpful with the assistance of his great staff.  I'm looking forward to Toronto Audio Fest this weekend.

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
431 posts
 

Since OP listens to classical music, I'll give you my one-track work which I always use for auditioning components (CD or streaming - I cannot afford the prices this record commands second-hand). 

This work was originally recorded by Decca (London in the US) to analogue tape at the height of their skills in 1963.  The recording has been available ever since on various media.  The track lasts just over a quarter of an hour. 

One serious critic has described the work as the best ever classical piece of music.  It covers virtually every instrument in an orchestra, singly and together, has huge dynamic range, features complex percussion cross-rhythms and a finale where every section seems to do its own thing - something lesser systems cannot properly resolve.

It is Benjamin Britten conducting his "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra"

gano
369 posts
 

I use a different album for speed, soundstage, clarity and detail, each…

I am not a Fleetwood Mac fanatic but they have great recordings for all of the above. M Ward is another maximalist.
But #1: listen to music you know very well, so your can focus on the nuances

chrisoshea
434 posts
 

OP…. Glad you are going to the Toronto Hifi show… Listening to live or recorded music is like practicing a sports skill or any other skill, the more hours and effort you put into it the better you will be at putting together a system or systems that connect you emotionally to the music and musicians. Go to as many live concerts in good venues with good sound as possible, the time and effort will pay off.

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