When I go to audition a pair of speakers I normally try and pick up a piece of large scale classical music with some bright trumpet sounds in it, like the Sibelius Finlandia Suite, or some sections of the Verdi Requiem. There is something about a few blasts on a trumpet cutting through the rest of the orchestra that does something for me.... of course I would add female voice, sax etc etc as other people have mentioned.
What's your favorite instrument to listen to....
We all must have a favorite instrument that we prefer to listen to on our systems, be it guitar, sax, piano, vocal(male or female), etc... I realised I am a piano sort of guy, be it Jazz or Classical I tend to seek out piano music. Not saying that I don't listen to other's I just have a piano bias. What's your preference? Is there a specific reason why? Is it your favorite instrument or does it sound best on your system?