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 timothy468

To deep_333

I tend to ask others for advice in order to expand my horizons of intellectual understanding of something. Audiophiles are, in general, a rich source of information (sometimes utter BS, of course) about this topic. I have already learned about Chesky from "snilf" just now, and I did not know about Chesky five minutes ago. It matters to me, as I am awaiting new speakers I bought on a whim and am really hoping to be able to set them up properly. 

The spirit of the OP was to ask for help from others - something that seems to be happening quite well. Perhaps you could contribute to his understanding, rather than to denigrate the impulse to seek out the opinions of others.