2. music
  3. 1203817302

Best recordings to demonstrate soundstage?

I am interested in imaging and soundstage. I have picked up a pair of Thiel 3.6's and would like to test their imaging potential.

Box speakers are something of a problem for me because for some years I have listened to large planars, which throw up a huge soundstage. The Thiels have a much more constrained soundstage as compared to planars, yet they can seem wide and accurate and at times. With the right recordings they are absolutely amazing.

Hooverphonic and Morcheeba are 2 bands that I tend to use. Within their music there is so much going on. Sounds flying left and right, beautiful vocals centered, with layered vocals surrounding.

Can you help me increase my list? I love all kinds of music period. In your experience what is the best music and or tracks for highlighting soundstage?

Thank you,

Ron
starsandseas
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Tom Petty anything is very good.

Bob Dylan Oh Mercy

Roger Waters Amused to Death

There are so many it is almost impossible to make a shortlist....there is no problem with box speakers per se as regards soundstage.
hitman_hifi
75 posts
 
My absolute favourite (for not only soundstage but overall quality) has to be Chuck Mangione's "Children of Sanchez." I only have the vinyl version so I'm not sure how it sounds on CD. If your looking for great solo guitar, try anything by Ray Montford.
starsandseas OP
37 posts
 
Thank you for the ideas. I don't have any of those recordings but will try to get them. The closest I have is Division Bell by Pink Floyd minus Roger Waters...

I agree, there is nothing wrong with box speakers, they have a different sound than what I am used to though. I was striving to find a speaker that was more precice than my planars. The Thiels are very precice. Now I've got to take a new look at the recordings I use to judge soundstage.

I was just listening to Charity of the Night by Bruce Cockburn and found it quite nice.

Thank you,
Ron
mingles
800 posts
 
cds:
Mickey Hart, Planet Drum, 1991 Rykodisk (RCD 10206)
Mickey Hart, At the Edge, 1990 Rykodisk (RCD 10124)
Greg Brown, Covenant, 2000, Red House Records (RHR CD 148)
Ry Cooder, Paris, Texas Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 1985, Warner Brothers (9 25270-2)
Mazzy Star, Among My Swan, Capitol Records (CDP7243 8 27224 27)
Manu Dibango, Wakafrika, 1994 Giant Records (9 24566-2)
Paco de Lucia, Siroco, 1987, Verve (830 913-2)
Animatrix 2003

lp's:
An Evening with Windham Hill Live, 1982 Windham Hill (WH-1026)
Michael Hedges, Aerial Boundaries, 1984 Windham Hill (WH-1032)
Hiroshima, 1979, Arista (AB 4252)
jswarncke
66 posts
 
John Mellencamp - Whenever We Wanted
Tears for Fears - Raoul and the Kings of Spain
Shelby Lynn - I am
Sting - Soul Cages
Seal - Human Beings
Paul Lusson trio playing the Satie Gymonopidie
More to discover