Speaker Auditioning CD?

[Cool Mr Steve]

I'm about to attempt a nice speaker auditioning cd and I was curious what well recorded songs everyone likes for displaying the different qualitys of speakers. For example a song that can showcase a broad soundstage, or a song that could show off a speakers ability to produce airy highs or display imaging abilities. Thanks in advance!

[Chris D]

Good question, I'd be interested to hear others' opinions.

For me, I know I say this all the time, but I'd probably again use "Money for Nothing" from Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms 20th Anniversary Edition DVD-A.

[Cool Mr Steve]

For me, I know I say this all the time, but I'd probably again use "Money for Nothing" from Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms 20th Anniversary Edition DVD-A.

:T My all time favorite would have to be Brothers in Arms, but I have the the remastered CD. I'm getting the 20th Anniversary DVD-A soon, but is it noticeably better than the remastered CD?

[soundhound]

Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company
is a dandy, makes a great demo.
It puts a sytems resolution to the test.

[Charles]

Santana Abraxas remastered. This will give speakers a work out.

[joetama]

Jude Cole, anything from 'Start The Car'
Tom Petty, anything from 'Highway Companion' or "Crawling back to you" on 'Wildflowers'
AC/DC "Have a Drink on Me"
Little Feat "Dixie Chicken"
Don Fagen "Morph the Cat"
Steely Dan "Cousin Dupree"
Kronos Quintet
And lots lots more....

[Kal Rubinson]

:T My all time favorite would have to be Brothers in Arms, but I have the the remastered CD. I'm getting the 20th Anniversary DVD-A soon, but is it noticeably better than the remastered CD?

Dunno about the DVD-A but the SACD is certainly superior, even to the XRCD.

Kal

[dyazdani]

I'm with the Dire Straits guys. I also use Steely Dan and the Burmeister 3 sample CD...

[SteveCallas]

I'd avoid trying to showcase specific traits by using specific pieces of music that you don't own or won't realistically listen to. Use the music you typically listen to and enjoy, it will make the best test cd for YOU.

[Boombox]

I'm with SteveCallas on this one....

[Angioguy]

Al Dimeola... Friday Night in San Francisco CD or SACD (acoustic guitar)
Tutti Orchestral Sampler (orchestral, dynamic range, soundstage)
Bob Dylan Bootleg #4 (acoustic)
Mickey Hart... The Essential Drum (percussion)
Burmester CD Sampler #3
The Digital Domain
Pink Floyd... Dark Side of the Moon
Flim & The BB's... Tricycle
Frank Sinatra... Reprise
Live...
Queen... Classic
anything by Natalie Cole...

hope these help. :T

[Alaric]

I'm partial to Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon SACD , especially the track 'Brain Damage'. 'Break Your Heart' from Natalie Merchant's "Retrospective 1995-2005"(try to place the horns), and Heart's 'Sing Child Sing' from the Dreamboat Annie album-there is a telephone ring effect that some speakers turn into a shrill single note.