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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!
b_limo
czarivey
4,494 posts
 
As I'm being a media selling dealer, I have so manymany test vinyls and CDs, but still prefer to assess my system with just a music I love to listen to. My favorites are original Command Records releases, Liberty label with famous exotic favorites that combine percussions and big bands, Early releases of Columbia FDS. Very hard to list all the titles, so would not pick any specific for the purpose.
rockadanny
1,037 posts
 
I choose each style of music which I prefer.
I choose excellent, mediocre, and poorly recorded tracks.
I choose only tracks with which I am very familiar.
I narrow my selections down to a reasonable number (12 or so).
For each track, I listen only for one or two minutes.
By the end I will then know if it is worth listening further. If so, I will then listen to all cuts in full if I am able.
rockadanny
1,037 posts
 
I just realized I did not really answer your question. Sorry. I will try to find my auditioning discs and list the tracks, and why they were chosen.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I am very much a treble nut. So usually i have along a lot of music with great treble stuff in it. Without a perfect treble, I walk..
Mozart: Extante Jubilante on L'oiseau Lyre with Emma Kirkby
Her amazing voice is heavenly.
(available on LP and CD I have both)
sinead oconnor "I do not want what I Haven't Got for her voice. The 'sheen' surrounding her voice can be phenomenal.
Telarc Robert Shaw Atlanta Symphony Carl Orff "Carmina Burana for massed voices And the childrens choir.

Then for lows I like Madonna "Music" (the Madonna album with her cowboy look) Some good bass on that.
Then nearly any Techno compilation. My favorite is Best of Techno Vol 5: FLUID.

Sometimes it is good to have BAD sounding music. to see if it's flaws shine as brightly as they should.
PJ Harvy "$ Track Demos' Her voice is astounding at times..
Then the violins in Dutiot Falla Three cornered Hat(London) .an early 'all digital' CD. Sometimes the violins sound like cardboard cutouts. Or like a ripsaw on a metal washtub... Baaaad. Worst violins I have EVER heard.
A good system will show them for what they sound like. A not so clear one will gloss overthem.
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