How can you tell the quality of the recording?

The very first thing to focus on is the bass...

Just keep focusing until you hear something bad. It's gotta be there. After all, they are CDs. Sometimes I find it difficult to ignore all that music when I'm focusing. Happy Listening

Soundstage does not extend beyond the speakers like a well recorded disc does, bass is missing, imaging is off. The overall sound is thin. All you need to do is buy an original recorded (not remastered CD) from the 80s or 90s and you will know what sounds like crap.

Really!!

Uh, I guess I just listen to if it sounds good or not.
I think I didn't understand the question...