One of my favorite audiophile test CD's is Vladamir Ashkenazy conducting the Concertgebouw orchestra in Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead and Symphonic Dances.
The first piece (Isle of the Dead) is great at checking out the Bass response of your speakers. The second piece, Symphonic Dances, are very energetic pieces that can test the rhythm, pace and overall dynamics of your speakers. It also has a wide variety of orchestral instrumentation that can test the tonal quality and balance of the various instruments. There are also several loud orchestral climaxes that can test if your speakers deal with high-energy congested passeges well or if they "break-up" during fortissimo's. And on top of all the testing help, it is great, atmospheric music conducted and performed at a very high level. Recording quality is excellent also.
I believe this is available at mid-price ($10) on the London label.
The first piece (Isle of the Dead) is great at checking out the Bass response of your speakers. The second piece, Symphonic Dances, are very energetic pieces that can test the rhythm, pace and overall dynamics of your speakers. It also has a wide variety of orchestral instrumentation that can test the tonal quality and balance of the various instruments. There are also several loud orchestral climaxes that can test if your speakers deal with high-energy congested passeges well or if they "break-up" during fortissimo's. And on top of all the testing help, it is great, atmospheric music conducted and performed at a very high level. Recording quality is excellent also.
I believe this is available at mid-price ($10) on the London label.