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What music do you use to assess your system?

I'm looking for music that will reveal shortcomings or strengths within ones system. Lets list some of our favorite songs that have: good, fluctuating bass lines, songs that have a solid, centerd vocal, songs that are super complex with alot going on, songs that test tone, songs that test inner and micro detail, songs that test how well a speaker can convey dynamic swing, and any other aspects I didn't mention.

Of course I'm not looking for one song that covers all areas, I'm fine with one song only covering one aspect.

When listing songs, please include what we are looking for in that particular song!
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jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
This is my secret go-to audiophile demo acid test.
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
Jmcgrogan2, that's hysterical! Thanks for the link.

Michael
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,274 posts
 
Oh boy, and we've officially digressed, 4 posts into the thread.
WARNING: do not watch that video unless you have 4 minutes to burn. You will never get that time back, and you will not be able to stop the video once you've started watching it. Thanks for the laugh!
photon46
1,082 posts
 
Geez, I watched the video too, I'm speechless. Words fail me.

Now, back to the original OP's question. Some of my tracks I use to maintain a baseline of familiarity when auditioning new equipment might be Rautavaara's "Cantus Articus Opus 61" for its extraordinary sense of atmosphere and orchestral treble nuances, Bela Flecks old standby "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo," Keith Richards "Rockawhile" for its sense of timing, groove, and kick bass drum, Bill Frisell's "Blues for Los Angeles," again for groove, swing, and propulsive bass guitar, and Hovhaness' programatic "Mount St. Helen's symphony 50" for the entire palette of orchestral instrumentation, dynamics, and tone color.
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