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
mingles
792 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.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,539 posts
 
Richard Thompson - Grizzly Man (soundtrack from the motion picture)
slothman
311 posts
 
Flim and the BB's - Big Notes
serus
93 posts
 
Herbie Hancock/Watermelon Man, released on Sony/Columbia Jazz compilation CD is a great test track for soundstage precision. It's a great test track in many other aspects too and oddly - a fine piece to listen.
For ambience space try Judy Collins spectacular vocal-only Amazing Grace on the Whales and Nightingales CD.
ojgalli
165 posts
 
I have a number of the recommended recordings, but I don't understand how studio recordings could demonstrate soundstage. Studio recordings have no real soundstage. If there is any, it's only an artificially simulated one. Tried the DiBango—great music, nothing special with the soundstage. Tried the Micky Hart—better for soundstage, good depth, but still nothing special. Put on Sting's Soul Cages. The soundstage is amazingly wide and consistently several feet beyond the speakers. Sometimes it even sounds like 5.1. The engineering is spectacular. What's going on?

Well, in the liner notes there is a reference to QSound, a virtual surround process that explains the amazing soundstage effects.

Go to: http://www.qsound.com

Other artists' recordings using QSound: http://www.qsound.com/spotlight/users/recording-artists.htm

Still, the best recommendation for demonstrating a real soundstage, rather than simulated, would be simply engineered orchestral music. Reference Recordings are a excellent label. There are others, but it's hit & miss.
More to discover