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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
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
starsandseas OP
37 posts
 
Wow, thank you all. Many of these I know only by name. I'm heading over to Fry's and will look them up and report back.

Paco De Lucia - I was just listening to his cd Castro Marin last night. Quite nicely recorded with plenty of dynamics but also very nuanced.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Don Dixon loves to play with staging/imaging effects on his records. These are not audiophile quality recordings - tonal balance is splashy on top and pumped up in the bass - but they are great rock music recorded with great impact. Look for any recording with his cover of "Cool" from Westside Story. It should do the trick.

Marty
mingles
800 posts
 
A follow up to my suggestions above... Ry Cooder, Mickey Hart, An Evening with Windham Hill Live, and Aerial Boundaries are some of the best recordings I've ever heard. They'll make any system sound fantastic. The dynamics are stunning.
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knownothing
1,653 posts
 
Richard Thompson - Grizzly Man (soundtrack from the motion picture)
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