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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
martykl
3,563 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
775 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.
knownothing
1,298 posts
 
Richard Thompson - Grizzly Man (soundtrack from the motion picture)
slothman
311 posts
 
Flim and the BB's - Big Notes
serus
92 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.
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