analyzing sound


Some recordings may demonstrate better audiophile-related variables (e.g., soundstage, imaging, blackness, quickness, microdynamics, dynamic range, low/mid/high frequencies, sibilance, etc.) than others.  Playlists are therefore offered as examples of music to use when evaluating hifi components or systems.  I assume, for example, that it is necessary to have a recording that is able to demonstrate a wide soundstage in order to evaluate whether a system/component produces a wide soundstage.  However, I have not found a playlist that also identifies which specific recordings are good for evaluating which specific variable that an audiophile may be interested in.

 

For example, is there an annotated playlist that provides something like the following entirely fabricated example:  Bill Frisell's recording of Baba Drame on The Intercontinentals is a good track for evaluating imaging (but not microdynamics), whereas John Eliot Gardiner's Volume 3 recording of Bach Contatas is excellent for evaluating microdynamics (but not imagining), or Imogen Heap's recording of First Train Home on her Ellipse album is good to use for determining the degree of sibilance (but not low frequency definition) of your system. 

 

Or is any good recording capable of demonstrating all qualities of interest?

jrdavisphd

Showing 1 response by daledeee1

I'm not much younger.  If you like electronic music, it is recorded at very high levels of dynamics, transients, accuracy, soundscape, 3D, swirling, 20 to 20000Hz Bear with me.

Tron Legacy Sound track.  Daft Punk.  This symphonic(classical)  checks all the boxes

Eric Hilton.  He is/was with Theivery Corporation.  He has been going through various styles of music.  Impossible Silience, infinite everywhere, lost dialect are superb. These are rhythmic, relaxed jazz with Samba influence.  Top recording and production.  He plays all the instruments. 

Soundtracks are a good bet.  Qobuz has a playlist of Soundtracks to test your system.  Some good stuff there.  Qobuz has several such playlists debut albums, Philadelphia sound.

There are lots of good sounding artists and recordings. So I will stop, enjoy