My best test tracks ,and what I am listening for.

So the tracks are .
Gravity / Alison Krauss
sweetest decline /. Beth Orton
clever trevor /Ian Dury
take it easy / The eagles
cry me a river /Michael buble
Go your own way /fleetwood Mac.
patreon.com/StereoreviewX

[@johns6256]

Subbed. I like this guy's approach to audio. Simple, honest, and without any fancy intro etc. Tonnes of often-overlooked info. Keep it up, Sir.

[@double531]

Outstanding, real world genuine sound discription and enthusiasm.

[@ethimself5064]

One I used to really like is ELP - Lucky Man. Near the end there is a synthesizer passage that just rocks. I had ESS Monitor Towers back in the day that were flat down to 35 Hz and at volume this passage rocked my internal organs, put a 5 foot crack in a picture window and literally moved a solid Oak coffee table across the carpet. I have no idea just how low this went but was wonderful to feel it all. I have no idea these days if tunes on KZbin can actually go this low in a digital format.

[@nsw9154]

good choice another ELP track i play as a test is From The Beginning that Acoustic Guitar at the start is so so crisp and the overall sound stage is amazing

[@shaynesparkes8740]

My dad’s favourite song of all time ELP - Lucky man and always insists that gets The Edgar Winter Group - (They only come out at night )- Frankenstein I play them both plus I love Supertramp - Crime of the century (Album) School & Bloody well right They both have a lot of great dynamics in My dad introduced me to proper good music when I was about 11 😂 29 years later you can’t beat the old stuff

[@connycharlieekstrom5479]

Oh, man! You're the best... thank you so much for all this input. Been a vintage hi-fi fan for years but still love to learn more. You are giving me just that.

[@stereoreviewx]

Thanks mate appreciate that

[@hugobloemers4425]

Kelvin is one of the most down to earth Audiophiles / Audio equipment reviewers on KZbin and that can't be a bad thing.

[@stereoreviewx]

That’s nice to hear thanks Hugo

[@howardleah8401]

I completely agree, a thoroughly Sound guy

[@m00nraker39]

He is the best! 😎🎧

[@edwardbalboa5528]

crack

[@johnadair6108]

I found your channel recently...love your content and presentation.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

Everyone knows what the Beatles sound like; when demonstrating a set of speakers as a salesman, that can be used to your advantage. On a quality set of speakers, the three part harmony on THIS BOY sounds fantastic! After hearing the Beatles like you have never heard them before, I can sell you a set of speakers, or an amp, like nobody's business! Another great demo CD is JAPANESE MELODIES by Yo Yo Ma . ( When selling a car system, I always used Midnight Oil! )

[@stereoreviewx]

Great stuff good point thanks

[@sbwlearning1372]

Crazy isn't it. I did like the Beatles but rated Doors Who Stones Jefferson Airplane Kinks etc etc above them. Now after getting back into vinyl and hearing various digital hi Res remasters of all bands of the era . My favourite is to listen to the Beatles on vinyl. George Martin was a genius

[@MustangBoss1973]

But I can't stand the Beatles it would probably leave :-(

[@nisabelle513]

This Yo Yo Ma's album reveals imaging in an incredible way.. Thanks for the tip:)

[@pedromarques7457]

The advantage of listening to The Beatles is that even if the sound quality may not be audiophile, there is a guarantee that the music is brilliant!

[@howardleah8401]

Very interesting there kelvin, thank you. I will have to try these out and see how it rests with me..

[@thomaswachter7782]

Fantastic commentary. I usually put on a lot of "normal" music just to hear the mix, no matter how bad the recording sounds. I also listen in show-off mode to big beautiful recordings. It's the mix of recordings that keep it interesting. A Very fine video you did here. 5 stars to you.

[@happypuppy8221]

Thank you so much for this video. I am new to appreciating music and this video really helps me assessing equipment.

[@sosonic12000]

Just a quick hi 5 Mr K. Since we've been un-locked down been busy with life, work etc..Massive thanks to you Mr K and your videos that prevented me and I'm sure lots of others both here and on the other side of the pond - from going totally bonkers!!! 🥰

[@WyreForestBiker]

When I was a DJ from the late 70's to the early 2000's I always tested the bass with the original pressing of the 12" version of " I'm in love " by Evelyn Champagne King from 1981 . The bass was so clean and hard hitting it was on a different level to any other track, ( including re-issues ,the album version and CD copies which were all inferior ) I had literally thousands of other records and CD's to choose from over the years but nothing could touch it ! ... Ah good days !

[@reinhartfrais8549]

You are fabulus !!!!!!! And funny Thank you !!!!!!!!

[@andrewpetley7008]

I like you straight forward approach. I'd be interested to hear if you have used/heard a B&O 4002 turntable, I use mine and love it. I like B&O stuff from the 70/80's good sound and looks and so usable.

[@Cartier_specialist]

I love The Who "Bargain" to test bass guitar. Billy Thorpe "Children of the Sun" for drums. Elton John "Come Down in Time" for vocals.

[@rodpinfold8824]

Awesome video, a song that expresses everything you say into one is Muddy Warers : My home is in the delta from his Folk Singer album. Foot tapping, hair standing, jaw dropping, eye watering magic of a track

[@GoldPlate29]

Exactly! Good one mate!

[@bjrnhee1646]

"Wicked Game" with Chris Isaak has a good stereoimage on a good stereosetup.

[@TheDjcarlos67]

Agreed. I always play it when auditioning new equipment

[@Shaun.Stephens]

My issue with Wicked Game is similar to Kelvin's issue with Babylon Sisters - the song sounds great on most systems.

[@stevemumford6983]

In the 70s when I had no money and loved my hi fi the magazine's raved about Joan Armatrading. I've realised since that was an album like the Steely Dan track's you've mentioned. It's just a beautifully recorded album and really just enhanced your system. Since them with the big Kef's I've inherited I've managed to put together a seriously cheap vintage system that I'm hard pushed to find a big fault with and instead of reaching for the Steely Dan's and Joan Armatradings I'm enjoying al sorts. A good test of your hi fi as you've highlited before is leave everything flat. I'm convinced more and more that sometimes recordings are so crappy I can't imagin they would even sound spectacular on a £6000 system.

[@arnoldschloss9634]

Dire Straits "You and Your Friend" and Steely Dan's "Aja" will both show up any limitations of your system, and sound great on a superb system.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" will test the imaging of your speakers really well. The keyboard high note at the beginning of the song should come in from far stage right quite high and bore into your brain like a drill bit if your speakers are properly positioned. Stage right which would be from your left speaker.

[@richardcrook2112]

Everyone plays that "you and your friend" in youtube videos.

[@quananginh9446]

"You and your friend" sounds great on my really cheap, $10 earbuds, it's JBL C150SI

[@pieterschaar5613]

Cheers for this video Kelvin gives me a great point of reference to go with your great ramblings of reviews and what to look for in a song on my system to see how my own list of songs compares If you like bass, then 'The Man next door' by Massive Attack, will burst your spleen, on my Rogers LS8a's this track shakes the man next door but my Image Studio Monitors the bass does doesn't reach down into your gut, its from a really well recorded album

[@gime3steps]

Nice choices Kelvin, all of them. Like that lava lamp as well!

[@stereoreviewx]

It’s actually the lava lamp show more than me

[@jamesvozar1]

cheers mate i enjoyed going through that tonight listening to the tracks as i went through. Tracks they all sounded really good on my modest little system, except the one that you said was a snare test could not find that track. cheers james

[@justinprabhakaran4156]

""Sung by people who can really sing" lol. subscribed mate. Cheers 🍻 it feels lovely to listen to you. Experience Counts.

[@WWeiss-nv5vz]

Great video! Do you have other test track videos? Love your explanation of each.

[@malcolmlittler9408]

Excellent advice here 😊

[@martindevon3204]

Hi Kel. At Bristol show David Price( famous reviewer) used Babylon sister to demo a top end Marantz/ monitor audio system as the hifi choice rep ☺️

[@donalddeorio2237]

Fleetwood Mac, the Chain remastered for bass and Riders on the Storm remastered ( amazing thunderstorm, shakes my house). Walking in memphis, Marc Cohen great piano and vocals for midrange

[@MrJueKa]

Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" album is overall a timeless masterpiece, no matter which track you choose ... currently ranked 7th on the list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in the "Rolling Stone" music magazine

[@andrehb]

Funny, as you began talking about how some tracks aren't good demos because they're recorded so well (that they sound good anywhere), my mind immediately jumped to Steely Dan Aja/Gaucho -- I'm a bit of an audio novice that's just started thinking about assembling a thoughtfully set-up audio system, and I've noticed that even on my current caveman stack, those recordings still sound pretty pristine!

[@patriciawilson9666]

You are 100% correct.I use Aja in particular to test every new/old piece i add to my set-up especially new belts/cartridges for my turntables.

[@baldF]

A man who talks sense! … An endangered species!

[@necromancernorway7653]

Thanks,thats great songs.A good song you may try for following the instruments is Open Secrets by the band Rush.Great song by the way.Another is YYZ an instrumental great for testing the bass😀

[@adamhindle9215]

Great video Kelvin. Like you, for me the female voice is ultimate test, so I'd go with Moorlough Shore by Sinead.

[@bmj4052]

Great song, but I couldn't find the Sinead version.

[@allanpowell7208]

The whole of "Gaucho" takes your system on an examination of its ability. Cheers Kel.

[@MostlyBuicks]

Yes! Whenever I evaluate a new piece in my system there are several test tracks I used for different purposes. Sometimes it can be just ONE hit of a drum, or a couple of seconds of the bass. One track I listen to only the finger squeak of a person playing an acoustic guitar. On lesser equipment the first squeak sounds like a click and is smeared and distorted. In fact it sounds like a scratch on a LP record (but it is a CD I use). On better equipment it sounds like what it is, a finger changing chords. So, sometimes it only takes one note or just a few seconds of a recording. Other times it takes the whole song, especially if that song has a LOT of nice, natural information that changes throughout the song, and if micro and macro dynamics are what you are listening for. Another thing: One must evaluate whether certain songs you like have more or less of an emotional impact on you while listening to certain equipment. Some stereos can convey that emotion better than others. Some pieces can totally wash out any emotional impact if they are bad enough. And yes, I have a few examples of very "edgy" vocals to see if they sound harsh with certain pieces. But I would never rule out Babylon Sisters! Yes, it sounds great. But on some systems there is such a lifelike holographic effect that lesser systems cannot relay.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes I pretty much agree with all your saying if I am in doubt Alice until the end of autumn leaves by Eva Cassidy that really should do something to you

[@flachi32]

Been playing Killers Hot Fuss album on CD and that is good for putting speakers through some gymnastics. Track 5 especially. Let me know what you think. Also track 11 on Think Tank album by Blur

[@tasman94]

Another great episode. I also appreciate the down-to-earth approach very much. Unfortunately, there are other channels out there. My favourite test tracks: Almost perfect in one song is Melody Gardot's "March for Mingus" from the Live in Europe record. This has an adorable female voice, great upright bass, and a very complex horn section. The song is starting slow and low and gets really busy towards the end. Otherwise, Nick Cave's "Into my arms" great for male voice and usually a mixture of classical music, jazz and rock.

[@nicksundby]

I often play first few bars of Babylon Sisters just to feel good about my system lol

[@stereoreviewx]

Yeah makes the whole world seem better

[@lamaludwig1470]

Very nice! I suggest Simply Red - Picture Book (2008 remastered), Voice, Bass, Timbales, Groove, and Dire Straits - Once upon the time in the west (live at Hammersmith Odeon) for live experience, Cheers from Switzerland

[@garethvaughan426]

Absolutely love the Alison Krauss track, as you say 1.05 in oooo that bass, fantastic, like the female version of James Taylor👌

[@omaramark]

Oh yes on the wonderful Krauss and the Orton tracking is absolutely stunning.

[@sosonic12000]

Running a Sansui AU-2200 1975 silver face amp only 10 w/ch. Sounds great! Sansui magic.

[@reinhartfrais2434]

Thank you

[@alexandervaneijken7741]

I have this little fantasy where I go to a shop selling incredibly expensive high end equipment and bringing along a number of 78,s from my collection

[@stereoreviewx]

Yeah now make this sound good

[@howardleah8401]

yeah right, a good system will show up the defects so much you will be Rushing to kill the volume ASAP!

[@howardleah8401]

ps - that reminds me, when i was a kid of about 8 in my very early audiophile career, we had an old wind up 78 player which i used to play my older siblings modern records on - boy i got a hiding for that

[@ericschulze5641]

Emerson Lake and Palmer from the beginning, and still you turn me on are top notch as test songs

[@natnut2008]

Thanks. Now to purchase high resolution file of these tracks.

[@espressoaz]

I admire your manner of speaking

[@charlieconghos]

Ha.. "Clever Trevor" most excellent...!

[@iankendell7761]

what about live ..ie four way street, csny. deep purple live in japan ?? and possibly the best album with depp bass bille eillish

[@Chris-nd5se]

Just listened to all tracks mentioned . There were one or 2 thinner sounding parts of the Beth Orton track. However didn't really sound harsh on my system so presume speakers are ok. Another track apart from Babylon Sisters that would sound good on all systems would be Rotterdam by The Beautiful South

[@D1N02]

Added a few to my playlist again. I like to put on the cacophony of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" From Willy Nelson's and Friends Outlaws and Angels Album with Jerry Lee Lewis, Kid Rock, Keith Richards, Merle Haggard. Great energy and a lot going on with all those artist performing at the same time. And Perfidia by Xavier Cugat.

[@stereoreviewx]

Sounds good to me

[@LyndonSoulGroove]

Hi Great, wondered if any Voluntary jobs reviewing equipment / Records you know of any contacts, i have been so passionate about hi fi for over 25 years

[@greymurdock2]

Thanks for sharing. I agree there some songs that will sound good on just about anything. One of my test track it astral weeks by Van Morrison. The stand up bass very quick all over the place and isn’t easy to pick apart on average system. Not to mention all the other instrumentation in that track all dances around each other so beautifuly on a good system. But it’s not your typical 70s great sounding recording. Van Morrison’s moon dance and vans choir is great for that stuff. Gypsy queen is another great track

[@stereoreviewx]

Van Morrison did some great recordings I certainly agree

[@mungos1312]

the chain bass solo is amazing

[@stuartlee8041]

I worked for Philips as an engineer for many years, repairing and modifying Philips, and associated companies hi fi pruducts, I eventually came to the conclusion that 'opinions vary on everything', during early CD trials experts were gathered, and 48% of those experts concluded, the sound improved with 50% of the information turned off. I've heard wonderful systems described as rubbish, and rubbish systems described as wonderful, I gave up years ago listing to the opinions of others.

[@stereoreviewx]

Well I kind of agree with you but of course I think I’m right like everybody does😀

[@pneumati8537]

Just discovered your channel since via the old youtube algo. Nice to hear candid talk about a topic that garners more snake oil and bullshit than any other. Anyhow, I'm not a classical snob, like I mainly listen to pop and electronic but if you really want to test a system, it has to be an orchestal piece for dynamics, sound stage, transient response, bass and anything else other than vocals really. There are many recordings of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring but the one that does it for me is Salonen with the LA Philharmonic. The bass drum in the 'Sacrificial Dance' is the deepest acoustic bass drum you'll ever hear. The brass and percussion in that track will show you what kind of system you have.

[@stereoreviewx]

Sounds interesting thanks I’m going to try it

[@pneumati8537]

@@stereoreviewx There's actually a couple of different versions by him. This is the one I meant www.discogs.com/Esa-Pekka-Salonen-Los-Angeles-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Le-Sacre-Du-Printemps/release/4457897

[@steverees1936]

You mentioned the Eagles and their great vocals, the song to play for vocals by them is Seven bridges road live. Awesome track to test any speaker with vocals. 😁

[@Gadgetdad007]

You remind me of Billy Mitchell from Eastenders. 🙂

[@doplinger1]

Back in the day, mine were Steely Dan - "Aja", Al Stewart - "Year of the Cat" and Supertramp - "School".

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes I’m a big fan of year of the cat Uber smooth

[@andygee8716]

Slovo: Whisper. (Beautiful female vocal and minimalist musicianship). Chris Botti: Easter parade. (Chris' trumpet has cracked up many a dome tweeter on this track at volume). Victor Wooten: Classical Thump. (Probably the best bass player on the planet playing classical music using slap n pull style at extremely high speed!) Eva 808: Psycho Sushi. (Used to test the absolute bass depth of large / floor speakers and subwoofers. The infrasonic harmonics are lethal!). Lonnie Liston Smith: Expansions. (The definition of 70s Funk at it's absolute finest). Dave Matthews Band: # 41. (Tight, in-the-pocket groove spearheaded by Carter Beauford's intricate yet powerful drumming). Terrific content, Kelvin. Cheers fella 👍

[@nedbressler3234]

Nice

[@AndyBHome]

I like to use Allison Krause's version of Cluck Old Hen to test for bass. It's an instrumental and like most Allison Krause recordings it's very well made. The bass in that particular song goes lower than most speakers can play, lower even than most subwoofers. Once you've heard that bass once you'll always known when it's missing in that recording.

[@Absa7319]

when i was in hifi albums we always listened to were dire straits "brothers in arms", fleetwood mac "rumours", steve vai "passion warfare" jeff beck "guitar shop" as well as IT Bites, Joe Satriani and Living Colour and others back when laserdisc was a thing for a fleeting glimpse... qed power amps, B&w 805s were the business and hafler, quad and bill beard valves were cooll. and wharfedale diamonds were taking off as well as tannoy's in all sorts of ways. hifi was so good and fun and magical back then. wow i even remember the beauty of an ariston cd1 unit was super sexi!

[@richardcrook2112]

Extremist by Joe Satriani I always use for some reason.

[@jhuc2869]

Human speech and sounds that you can relate to from real experience such as live performance and applause. Anything recorded and processed in a studio you have no benchmark - it may sound impressive, but accurate - who knows.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

👍 test songs … ARE VERY USEFUL… GOOD ADVICE 🤗 WE are on a winner 😊 we will try your favorites THANKS 😍😍😍

[@ljsites]

The songs I like to use are Supertramp CRIME OF THE CENTURY, Yes ROUNDABOUT, Doubie Brothers BLACK WATER.

[@haycrossaudio5474]

Hi Kelv. Loved the video as always. I've just finished restoring and upgrading a pair of celestion Ditton 22s (see my channel). The Allison Krouss track sounds fantastic on them as do pretty much everything. Completely agree with all your comments especially on the steely Dan track. So good though. Fantastic video as always. BTW Gravity bass line with a sub to is incredible. Take care. Matt

[@stereoreviewx]

What’s your channel Matt

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗👍 WATCHING AGAIN AND wondering how KEVIN is fairing these days 🤔 HOPE ALL IS WELL 🤗💚💚💚

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

THANKS AGAIN KEVIN…🤗😎👍 they are all 🥇 winners 💚💚💚

[@stefansiikavaara5444]

Thank you Calvin for your great work! Here is my fav eval tune. Check it out. Not pretty but ill separate the corn from the crop ya. Iron Maiden, Powerslave. Have a go!

[@philbarone4603]

A reviewer I actually like

[@arnelarson2849]

This is a great variety to use for a test. Maybe I missed it, but do you use digital/CD, reel-to-reel tape or a phonograph record ("vinyl" for the newer generations) for the source?

[@Ronnymikkonen2686]

I had Dire Straits Sultans of swing as a test song. The problem was that it sounds really good even with a simple transistor radio. And then I had some reggae songs to play, like Red red Wine and Kingston town. That was little better because of the bass tunes. If the bass moves your house that's better. Then you have good sound equipment when you put your head against the speaker and it feels like somebody Hits you with a brick in the head. Good tunes!

[@bisarowood]

nice call on Beth orton ... that London Grammar with the orchestra would be sweet too

[@richardcrook2112]

I always listen to "Day and Night by The Shroud, and if her voice doesn't hurt my ears then it's a keeper.

[@jacovanlith5082]

Erato record company; two test discs made in 1975.. All kind of tracks, even tracks with NOTHING, then you could hear the freight trains rumbling along in your headphone. Left and right, frequencies etc. Adjusting the weight/magnet. Those wear the days.

[@alexfalcao]

Focus - Moving Waves song "Focus II" (Besides instrumental) is one that tests my system, it has that huge bass and very good dynamics, my house walls shakes.....LOL

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes my house has now disappeared I’ve got so much low base 🤪

[@glasscockpits]

Just a small footnote. I was looking for Ian Dury's "Clever Trevor" track on Tidal but could not find it. It turns out it's on the album "New Boots and Panties!!. The spelling is odd as it's titled "Clevor Trever". 😉

[@stereoreviewx]

Interesting I didn’t really know that it’s a pretty good album that some brilliant tracks I often wonder what people from America or other countries would think of this album it’s very London centric

[@martyjewell5683]

Another interesting video, my friend. Seems to me that female voices and piano notes (especially sustained) are challenging for speakers to reproduce realistically. I also like to hear bass response where the bass notes change and don't drone along in the one note variety. A favorite for my bass testing is a 60's instrumental piece titled Let There Be Drums, by Sandy Nelson. Check it out. Lastly, whatever music you "test with" speakers should not suffer from Acoustic Traffic Jam, the sound shouldn't be a mish-mosh. Each voice and instrument should be distinct and identifiable. Sharp transients and excellent stereo imaging (to the point where the sound seems almost totally detached from the speaker) are essential qualities for me.

[@raidendigital1003]

I often try a song from Westworld - Movers and Shakers - T11, Panic Button. It has this harmonica that springs to life in the most amassing way on my Technics SB-CR55 speakers. I've been listening to that song on many, many speakers and nothing even comes close to the way the Technics do it.

[@typ044]

Cliche I know, but I use dsotm for testing all my gear, mainly because I know it so well and have heard it on every piece of music reproduction equipment I've ever owned since the 70's. I have it on every format released except 8track.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes I’m a big fan of that happened to particularly like the sound of the change go in the till as a test o mean . So many tweeters make that sound too bright or not real or solid enough The Celestion HF 1300 Twitter does that fantastically

[@typ044]

@@stereoreviewx Indeed they do, I used to have a pair of B&W dm3's that had those tweeters, loved them, dont even remember why I got rid of them. I dont buy much stereo gear anymore unless something dies, I have an assortment of gear I swap around from time to time but for the most part these days Ide rather just enjoy the music. I realized at some point I was spending way to much time and money chasing some elusive perfection than just listening to music. Recently been thinking of just selling a lot of it because I have a bunch of vintage stuff I haven't even hooked up in many years, should probably let someone else enjoy it. But then again I've thought this before and when I dig it out and pick it up I change my mind without even listening to it again, some of it just because it took me so long to find nice examples of. Sadly when I die my son will probably just give it to the thriftstore lol. Kind of makes me smile though when I picture the elation of some guy finding my old gear in a thriftshop though haha.

[@chrisclose7793]

I find dire straits walk of life is a great test track for timing, and massive attack ft Tracy thorn protection is a good track for dynamics and bass and Louis Armstrong wonderful world is excellent for vocals

[@reinhard1888]

Do you have test songs for vertical imaging, i.e. soundstage height?

[@FOH3663]

There's a test track purposely made for this very thing; LEDR, it's Cabassa percussion, that's manipulated spectrally in the recording process. Chesky has a test disc with a LEDR track. What should occur is a seamless arc up from one speaker, up and over, then down to the other speaker. It's likely on Spotify or whatever streaming service.

[@zlatanhabul1743]

I miss one song with good stereo perspective, that I was hoping to get tip for. Today's all multichannel recording miss this feature.

[@Peace_Guard]

How's that lamp-y thing in the background on the left called? Where can you get such a thing?

[@stereoreviewx]

Lava lamp they’re everywhere

[@Peace_Guard]

@@stereoreviewx Thanks for the info, I will definitely considering acquiring it, looks cool. I can now see they're available, but I never had a chance to stumble on such a thing before :)

[@JukeboxAlley]

Really great tracks, dire straights- you and your friend, and your latest trick, ray lamontagne-born to love you, john zhorn and sonny clark memorial quartet- voodoo, just too many to list here! May wanna check out my playlists.

[@staggerlee6794]

I always test my speakers and amps with Pink Floyd's 'Time'.....well actually the whole DSOTM album really. I can't even remember why, although I do recall it might to do with the clocks chiming or something. I was told to do this when I was a teenager and I have carried on the tradition into my 50s.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes and I have always listen to the change going into the till on money It’s a great test for tweeters what you want is for it to sound really solid not just bright and sparkly but realistic I guess

[@staggerlee6794]

@@stereoreviewx Yes that is spot on.

[@TheCverha]

Agree with selects ... if you have Spotify/Music and good hi-res audio periphery, just try band Banket and song Tlakova niz. Is in slovak language, but I think one of the best sounding record with mens vocal for hifi testing.

[@deadbugdoug4158]

Al Green for the Leslie speaker

[@WaynesWorldStudioVancouver]

Found Dimash Kydaibergen while searching for Yma Sumac for her 4 to 5 octave vocal range. Check out SOS by Dimash, a beautiful song sang in French; sadly the CD I bought didn’t have this song for test but have few songs that have good vocal range. My go to CD song was Queen, under pressure for testing.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes under pressure Sounds like a useful song nice and varied

[@j.b.55]

Ryan Adams…’Come Pick Me Up’ Norah Jones…’Come Away With Me’…(Whole album). Radio Head…’Amnesiac’ and ‘Kid A’… and ‘Moon Shaped Pool’ Daniel Lanois…’L’Acadie’

[@MODAC]

Kelvin, check out “Jazz Variants” by O-Zone Percussion Group. You like drums, so...

[@Unavintage]

I heard this álbum in a hifi show in Brazil, with Moon amp + cd player and a great Tannoy DC8. My jaw dropped since then. Great recording! Greetings from Brazil.

[@TheDjcarlos67]

Tears For Fears Woman In Chains is my top tip for auditioning HiFi equipment. I’ve never heard a better produced/mixed track🎶🎵

[@WalterWhite-pr1qs]

Some of John Cage will sound great on a good system, even when it's switched off! 😂

[@bruunm1975]

On my Yamaha 303 and the orange cone Monitor Audio 200’s Beth sounds slightly forward but not unbearable. I mean I don’t like the song. But this combo is pretty good for the money ;)

[@bruunm1975]

Also my test songs are. Massive Attack Angel. Bjork Play Dead. Tears for Fears Woman in Chains. Toto Gift of Faith. Marcus Miller Sun don’t lie.

[@galhardojoao]

Kelvin try Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Tin Pan Alley (aka roughest place in town)

[@msgillingham]

One Great Track another one is Robin Trower Too Rolling stoned.

[@stereoreviewx]

Oh God that does sound good

[@krom447]

Stopped video. Started Spotify :)

[@kaplanyx]

My best test tracks are recordings of pure acoustic instruments and vocals with a minimum of postproduction. There are tons out there in the field of jazz, classic, avantgarde and very less in pop, rock and similar. One Example: Dell, Lillinger, Westergaard „Grammar II“

[@test40323]

“Three little words” sang by Dominique Fils-Aimé. Recommended by Steve Guttenberg.

[@jimbrimcharrington1481]

My go-to is by Bucky Pizzarelli, A Little World Called Home, from album Nirvana. BEST drum song. EVER.

[@marivor58]

Have you ever tried purpose-made test discs? The BBC made a few.

[@hugobloemers4425]

I have a few but the music sucks often more than not.

[@barlow2976]

More wise words. I started playing Tidal's test tracks mix (as recommended by industry ears) and they all sound too good. Babylon Sisters opens the mix. One day I'll get round to making my own mix (as you suggest), I already have a few tracks edited to leave sections to test soundstage, not all high hats are as high as some.

[@stereoreviewx]

I mean its boring but a good stereo makes an average recording sound good . steely Dan is the hi fi shop favourite